[bistro]

Hi all,

My DH and I have been TTC with no success since December of 2007 and we've been diagnosed with unexplained infertility . . . the most frustrating DX ever! I was just reading a magazine article about endometriosis. This is something I had never considered because I always associated it with very painful periods. Also, neither my OB nor my RE has ever said anything about it. However, after reading this article, I am starting to wonder and came here for advice!

Here is the run-down/possible symtoms:

• I started my period when I was 11 years old and have been pretty regular since.
• At age 16 had surgery for a ruptured ovarian cyst. I remember them saying it was hard to DX because my ovaries were touching. Knowing what I know now, that seems odd??
• Obviously struggling with infertility
• I often have pain during intercourse - especially around ovulation time.
• I have painful ovulation since being off BCP - don't recall whether or not I did before.
• Before starting progesterone, I would spot before my periods as early as 8-9DPO.
• I have very light periods since being off nuvaring - very little cramping but some.

I think that's about it.

What do you ladies think? Should I ask for the lap??? There seems to be no other reason for my infertility. I am about to find out the results of my 2nd IUI but I'm doubtful.

Thanks for any advise or input!

[Ronidog]

Hi! Did you read the article in FITNESS magazine?

My husband and I had been TTC for almost 4 years with no luck. We were also diagnosed as unexplained infertility. I did 2 cycled of medicated IUI's with no luck. My RE then performed laporoscopy and he found 2 tiny spots of endo. I also had no major symptoms besides infertlity. I got pregnant on the second IUI after the surgery. I now am the proud mother of a 6 week old baby. My RE was convinced that it was because of the endo that I never got pregnant. He also thinks that I should not have a problem getting pregnant again since it was all removed.

I am a huge advocate for getting the surgery. I highly recommend you talk to your dr about it...it is the best thing I ever did.

Let me know if you have any questions...good luck to you!!!

[bistro]

Hi Ronidog -

Thanks for your reply! Yes, it was Fitness!

Congrats on your baby!!!

I think I am going to go for IUI #3 since it's right around the corner and if it does not work, ask for the lap from my OB-GYN (to try to save insurance money - I only have $5K for IF).

How long was the recovery and how long after were you able to start trying again?

Again, thanks!!!

[lovingwife]

I had no symptoms of endo other than infertility. My RE noticed when he did an internal exam that I had a tender spot on my uterus. He was pretty sure it was endo. Sure enough, he removed stage II endo from my ovaries, uterus and bladder. It took about a week to recover from the lap. I ovulated the next week. Didn't get pregnant that month. But, got pregnant the following month naturally! We were going to move on to IUI if it didn't happen. The surgery was SO worth it!! I am positive I would never have gotten pregnant without it. If you have any other questions about the lap or endo let me know.

[bistro]

Hi lovingwife and thanks also for your answer. It helps to confirm that this is something I MUST do if IUI #3 does not work. I just worry about costs b/c I am out of insurance money after this IUI, but I suppose if I go to the regular OB-GYN and ask for it, they cannot say it's only infertility.

The more I look into it, the more I think it is possible. I get random abdominal pain from time to time, am tired all the time, and am a migraine sufferer.

Hearing your successes almost makes me want to have it!!! Is that crazy?? I just want to know what the heck is wrong with me already so I have some reason for this and therefore some HOPE. It is hard for me to cope with the fact that they don't know what is wrong. How do you treat something when you don't know what the problem is? I feel like everything is just a shot in the dark. I am sick of just trying. I want my baby already!!!

My DH is furious that this was never suggested, because we have asked numerous times if there are any other tests we can do. I wonder why they do not test automatically for endo like this? It seems like it is very hard to diagnose and that this is really the only thing to diagnose it. I cannot imagine how many uninformed women there are walking around with endo and not even knowing it!!!

Thanks again to you both for your help and for giving me hope and congrats on your babies!