endo...?

**kimberlee** · 06-21-2004, 09:44 AM

I'm 19 and I am going into the doctor on August 26th to get checked for endometriosis and I was wondering if anyone could answer a question for me. First off I am very concerned that if I have endo that I can't have kids. So I'm trying to look on the good side that i don't have it but all the symptoms are there so anyway my question is... women with endometriosis have a higher chance of infertility problems, now does the infertility rate go down as you get older or does it just stay the same? I hope someone understands my question.

**holles** · 06-21-2004, 10:28 AM

(((hugs)))
i wish i could give you hope, but it's so hard to tell with endometriosis. we've been trying to have a baby for 8 years, and nothing is working. we aren't sure if it's endo or my thyroid problems causing infertility. both have been treated, but nothing works for me.

the stats say that severe endo can be removed and your fertility rate will improve (if it's causing anatomical problems like blocking your fallopian tubes or covering your ovaries). mild or minimal endo can be removed to relieve pain (my case), but fertility doesn't improve much.

you can do things to keep the endo from growing back after having it surgically removed. continuous birth control (where you have only 4 periods a year) is a great option. it keeps your hormones level, so the endo doesn't grow as much. there are other things too. i have had 2 surgeries in 2002 and 2003 and did 3 months of depo-lupron. lupron puts you into temporary menopause to "dry up" the endo. it didn't work for me, and during that time i developed interstitial cystitis. so if your bladder is compromised already, you might want to avoid lupron.

good luck. remember, some women have no trouble at all conceiving. and if you stay on continuous birth control until you're ready for a family, you should have a great chance.

(((hugs)))

**Katrina** · 06-21-2004, 12:15 PM

((((big hugs))))) Unfortunatly my knowledge leads me to believe that although treatment can sometimes improve infertility ....time can hurt it if not treated well.

Not everyone with Endo has infertility problems though....so if you are not sure at this time that you do don't assume.

I hope things work out for you...I understand how this hurts...believe me.

Take Care.

**tommygal** · 06-22-2004, 04:51 AM

I have endo, but only 18 so not trying to have kids anytime soon. But from what I have read 40% of those with endo are infertile. But from what I have read...this is just my thoughts, the longer you wait to have kids with having endo I think the harder it is to become pregnant, and the more things, surgery, pills, shots you have to help the endo the harder it will be after to have kids. But this is just my thoughts from all I have read in books and in groups and forums about endo. Good luck! Keep us updating when you find out if you have endo or not!

**peachycajun** · 06-22-2004, 05:18 AM

I'll tell you my story...which has good parts and bad parts.

I was dx with endo when i was 16. At that time, they told me the only solution was a complete hysto or to have a baby...but that was probable impossible. My parents decided to not make either choice....and started me on birth control pills. At age 20 and after 11 surgeries still on the birth control pill, I became pregnant. My daughter was perfect with no problems. But the pregnancy didn't heal my endo as they had thought it would. After 5 more surgeries, at age 27 I had a complete hysto. BUT I still ended up have 2 more surgeries for endo

Today I am 34 with a beautiful 13 year old daughter! I was not able to have any more children, but I tell my daughter daily she is my miracle baby.....the answer to my prayers....my gift from God!

I had a really bad case of endo....please don't let that scare you. But even as bad as it was, I still had a baby! AND they have learned soooo much more about it since I was dx.

I will keep you in my prayers......

danielle

**Katrina** · 06-23-2004, 08:45 AM

I read your post stating you had a complete hysterectomy and still needed 2 more surgeries after for your endo.....I had a complete hysterectomy in January but have felt that I still have endo symtoms....yet I worry convincing my gyno to go in and look will ever work. How did that go for you? Second, since you have had a complete hysterectomy...is your only choice for treatment other than pain meds multiple surgeries?

Thanks for your help I really appreciate it.

**blue** · 06-23-2004, 09:40 PM

I don't have endo, but my aunt had a sever case. She was able to have two children. I have a friend with endo, and had three children before her hyterectomy. So, I think the odds are good.

**peachycajun** · 06-24-2004, 04:18 AM

Katrina,

When I was still in pain and they had no other answer, my doctor decided to go in and "look". That is when they found the endo. And the second time, they thought it was scare tissue, but found out differently when they went in.

My last surgery for endo was in 2000. I haven't had any more problems with it since then. But I thought that when I started having IC problems it was the endo.

From what I understand, there are meds out there now for treating endo without surgery. I'm not sure what they are because I haven't needed them since my last surgery.

Explain to your doctor that you are still having pain and it's the same kind of pain that the endo caused. You know your body better than any doctor.....let him know what you think.

I will keep you in my prayers

I can't imagine having to deal with endo and IC at the same time. Let me know how it goes and how you are doing.

danielle

**ICTexas** · 07-23-2004, 04:11 PM

I am an endo success story! I, too had endo come back after hysterectomy and ovary removal. I have learned so much from my experience. I had a wonderful doctor who explained that the only true way to permanently get rid of endo is to pain stakingly remove it piece by piece and then suppress estrogen production. That is what I had done in November 2002 and after 7 surgeries to "laser" it and even a hysterectomy that last surgery is the only thing that cured me. I do take estrogen but I also take progesterone - not the one pill combo, but 2 pills most close to what the body makes naturally and low doses of both. I have not had any endo symptoms since that last surgery. I had 2 children who are both miracles - we did have to do fertility treatments and procedures to bypass the endo but they worked for us! Good luck! If you have any questions let me know - I wish I would have known then what I learned the hard way!

Pam