Endometriosis and Adenomyiosis (Endo Interna)- is successful IVF possible?

[Belinda Jane]

Hi,
After suffering with severe endometriosis for over 20 years now, ten surgeries later (1 laparotomy and 9 laparoscopies and 1 round of Danazol) I have recently been diagnosed with severe Adenomyiosis. The scar tissue around my tubes, ovaries and surrounding regions from the removal of endometriosis, not to mention the adhesions from all the surgeries has also put me in the high risk category of ectopic pregnancy.

At the moment I manage my pain via acupuncture and chinese herbs (over 3 years now) and most recently a natropath as well (will try anything)...although the pain does appear to be getting worse, not to mention the constant bleeding.

My partner and I are booked into see a highly regarded Melbourne IVF specialist in August, to see what my options are with my quite 'sad state' internal infrastructure. My online research has not come up with much information on how Adenomyiosis impacts IVF? and whether it is possible to go full term? I would really appreciate hearing about others who have had similar experiences.

I have not had any children and with being 39, the odds are not looking good and seriously thinking of a hysterectomy (pending IVF success rate) to better my quality of life.

[cherrycherry]

Hi Belinda,

I noticed you were about to start IVF in August, just wanted to know how you went and if you had any sucess ?? and your going?

[Belinda Jane]

Hi Cherry, Cherry,
Sorry it has taken me so long to reply, I just haven't been able to log in.

In answer to your question, I did have one attempt at IVF, however my right ovary had no response and my left produced one follicle, which was of no good. This was also after an extended cycle with a dosage of 475. I also had an ultrasound which showed that a Fibroid that was meant to be removed in May during surgery was still prevalent.

This removed in September and ever since the IVF I have had very heavy blood flow and an increase in pain to new higher levels. To top everything off, I had a saline ultrasound in December which showed cysts growing in my uterus (which they thought was a failed pregnancy, so I was excited for at least 2 hours), which is apparently normal for Adenomyosis sufferers. My IVF gyno who I know who's job is to provide hope, thinks I should try one more round of IVF, but then he also says that I should also think about the quality of my life!!

I am about to book in for a partial hysterectomy in April and still undecided about attempting IVF. The following lists of ailments just doesn't seem to represent any hope in terms of my in frastructure, the environment and egg count!!!

-Endometriosis
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Adenomyosis
- Fibroids
- Uterine Cysts
- Right Ovary Cysts
- Low Egg Count, bordering on infertility
- Partner quality issues...

I am not sad, but very happy to soon to be pain free, it has been 25 years of ongoing pain management and surgery and I think I have had enough....

[Hollybolly]

Belinda.... I had most of those things (without the partner issues) and after finding the right specialist, I had my little man after 6 IVF cycles & 8+yrs of TTC.

If you're not ready to give up, anything is possible... there are specialists that work with patients with these specific issues.
Of course, if you feel as though enough is enough, I completely understand

HUGE to you, this is the worst possible thing imaginable that I have ever been through in my life - and by far the hardest.

If you'd like any details on specific specialists, just let me know. Theres a BB member who is in Melbourne who has also been through similar issues, or my specialist was fantastic with these issues, too (but I'm in Sydney so it might be too much to travel).

Good luck with whatever you decide is best for you

[Belinda Jane]

Hi Holly Bolly,

Gee you must have a huge amount of patience in going through so many cycles.

I was lucky to find out at the age of 17 the extent of my endometriosis and with turning 40 soon and many, many surgeries I need to dig deep...however in reading your story it sounds like I would be silly not to at least give it one more try...

I am with Jim Tsaltas in Melbourne on the IVF front and he is fabulous and also have Peter Maher doing my surgery, the two of them work quite closely together with regards to my situation and they both started the endometriosis association in Melbourne.

Can I ask how old you are??? Thank you for your comments, it really helps to reassess our decision....