Hi everyone

I have just come across this forum searching for information about Endometriosis, so thought I would introduce myself. I’m 29 and was diagnosed with endometriosis on the 17th March 2005.

While I had not been TTC at the time, I was sent to the OBGYN for a laparascopy to investigate my horrid periods. I honestly went in thinking they would find nothing and would tell me it was all in my head and I was just unlucky. In fact, the opposite happened and the doc told me I had severe endometriosis. My left ovary was attached to my bowel and there was endo throughout my pelvis, in the pouch of Douglas, all over my ovaries and uterus. They cleared it out during the surgery, however the most upsetting fact was that I was told I would need to have IVF for a pregnancy as both of my tubes were completely blocked (discovered from the doc doing the dye tests) due to the endo scarring. After seeing a fertility specialist, I apparently have about a 30% chance of conceiving which is better than nothing as the OBGYN told me I would not have much chance at all.

I chose not to take any of the drugs and treatments after the surgery and immediately stopped taking the pill (I thought I would not need it for contraception purposes anymore!) and just focused on having a healthy lifestyle. My pain virtually disappeared after the laparoscopy which I was amazed at because ever since day one of my periods I had had 20/10 pain (the gyn said I have probably had endo since then!). In the last 6 months my pain started to creep back again along with the mid cycle (more like all over the cycle) spotting so I went back onto the pill but found I did not like the side effects after having been off it for over a year. So now I am off it again and seeing how it goes, not so bad so far.

Anyway, throughout my drama, I was looking forward to trying to start a family and wanted to start IVF as soon but the other half did not want to. We are now no longer together as this was a big factor that pulled us apart. He said he wanted kids, then said he didn’t and then when I found out I couldn’t, he changed his mind again and said he did. I think he was more confused than I was! But a few months after I found out he wasn’t quite honest with his vows if you know what I mean and I guess that was the beginning of the end of us.

I think it is all worked out for the best though because now I have a wonderful loving partner who really appreciates me and knows all about my endometriosis and even though we are not yet at the stage of starting a family, I know he will be there for me if we have to go through IVF one day.

Well, that’s my story, sorry for long ramble. I am always keen to read about endometriosis and other people’s stories and how they are coping with it. I have read Dr Susan Evan’s book ‘Endometriosis and Other Pelvic Pain’ so many times always trying to find more information out of it. I just want to give my body the best chance of conceiving when the time comes.

It has been interesting reading all the threads so far.

Lynny