Endometrioma?? What is it??

Hello everyone...

I am hoping somewhere in here we have someone who can explain to me in English what an Endometrioma is, what it's made of, what effects it has and how you can get rid of it, and any other relevant information is most welcome??

I had a scan for my upcoming FET this morning and what they suspected as a cyst last month is now possibly an endometrioma?? The nurse said that if this cycle fails then I need to have a scan by the FS on Day 2 of the next cycle to confirm what it is. And that's all I got...

Help!!!!

Cheers, Sonya

Looked it up in my midwifery and mediacl text book and neither had anything about what it is. Googles it and there isn't much about it either. Ill keep looking but so far I have only found that it is mass of endometrial tissue occurring outside the uterus in endometriosis. Says its difficult to define due to the difference between cases.

Just found a small definition of it. Says

Definition of Endometrioma
Part of the condition known as endometriosis. Endometrioma is a type of cyst formed when endometrial tissue (the mucous membrane that makes up the inner layer of the uterine wall) grows in the ovaries. It affects women during the reproductive years and may cause chronic pelvic pain associated with menstruation.

here is another definition. pretty much s ays what the other guys posted. The exact circumstances (size, location) will differ between people.

n. A circumscribed mass of endometrial tissue occurring outside the uterus in endometriosis.

S'rose - I have an endometioma on my left ovary. They are sometimes called a chocolate cyst (try googling chocolate cyst you will find a lot more information). Endometrioma is basically endomoetrios of the ovaries which forms as a cyst on the outer surface. When they rupture they ooze a dark chocolate substance which spills into the adominal cavity can cause a lot of pelvic pain.

I recently had a lap and they knocked the top of mine but it has returned immediately. I am currently undergoing my first round of IVF and if it is unsucessful I may look at having another lap to remove the endometrioma completley, but this is more invasive. I watched a clip on YouTube of this being done. Was a little gross but gave a good view of what it looks like.

Thanks everyone. All of your info has helped.

I did manage to speak to my FS and he basically said unless its large, its not really something to worry about which made me feel better.

mitf - I am so sorry it returned, I hope it doesn't interfere with the IVF cycle for you.

Hey hun

I have had endometriomas in both ovaries and large ones removed during a lap in 06. It may(?) be possible that they can remove some of it during an EPU if it is a small amount. The thing with endometriomas is if during EPU they pick up an egg and they catch some endometrioma fluid at the same time I have been told it can damage the egg. I continued having EPUs with suspected further endometriomas and my FS would occasionally tell me she sucked some out at EPU but not at the same time as the egg.

HTH!

xx

I too had on on my left ovary - it was 4cms in diameter - it was removed at my lap. Basically they will continue to get bigger as long as you are having a cycle as you bleed into every time you have a period. Mine was very painful during my period, throbbing, stabbing type pains from it. It's great now though. Oh and you really don't want it to burst as then the endo can implant itself in other places - not good.

Hi,

I had a 10cm cyst on my left ovary and unfortunately lost both my left ovary and tube. It also squashed my uterta so had to have a stent put in it to open it up again as it was causing my right kidney not to function properly.

All is good now though!

:crossfingers: and good luck :D


Tania

Hi Tania

Stay positive. Some encouraging facts to share with you. I had recently spoken with a friend to find out that she too had an ovarian cyst removed in an emergency op where the ovary too was not saved due to the damage done. With only 1 ovary left, she still managed to conceive naturally in about 6 years after the op and she is now a mother of two healthy and beautiful boys.

Cheers!

ping

In my case, both my tubes are blocked and there is suspected endometrioma in my left ovary. It was suspected because it did not show up in 1 of the ultrasounds that I had. Went ahead with my first round of IVF/ISCI in June and was physically worn out when my AF returned with a vengence.

Saw a TCM recently who advised that I should see a gynae to better condition my uterus before another round of IVF. Had yet to have a talk with the FS re my concerns after the failed IVF. Went online to try to get more info on IVF in relative to endometrioma but am getting more confused now.

Hope someone could shed some lights re their related experience. That is, should endo be treated before IVF? Or has anyone had success with IVF despite the untreated endo? I know it is difficult to judge base on one's experience because there are so many other factors that may be in working towards either a BFP or BFN. Still, I am just curious to find out what is the outcome of those who had undergone IVF with untreated endo.

Thank you.

ping

Hi Ping,

Thanks for your encouragement. I am actually PG now :D I should have mentioned that!
I did 3 IVF/ICSI cycles, one was cancelled so only 2 transfers but was lucky enough to get a BFP on the 2nd try.

My op last year was very extensive and my gyno fixed my "anatomy" on top of removing my ovary and tube so to better my changes of falling pg with IVF.

Good luck and hope you can get a BFP soon :D

Take care,
Tania

Hi Ping

Normally they don't worry about endometriomas below a certain size. I would suggest insisting on monitoring via regular scans, though, because mine grew quite agressively.

My FS prefers to remove endometriomas prior to IVF as she said an endometrioma increases the risk of infection during egg pick up. ie if they puncture it.

I had three excised and one small one cauterised via lap, and it was all just fine and quick recovery. Successful IVF the following month! I'd suggest finding a specialist surgeon like Dr Reid in Sydney.

GL

Thanks Tania for sharing the good news. I'm getting excited and hopeful again for the IVF journey.

Have a happy & healthy pregnancy and delivery in due course.

God Bless.

Ping