Chapter 51: Interview with Megan

After some info about breast reductions, we are back to the main focus of this blog: endometriosis. My experience with endo has mostly been with extreme pain and heavy bleeding. I don't plan on having kids, so the infertility aspects of endo have never been an issue for me. But, it is a huge issue for a lot of women who want to be mothers, so I wanted to share some more stories about infertility. Here is Megan's story.

1. Tell me about your diagnostic experience with endo. What made you think that you had it? What symptoms did you have?

I didn’t have any clear signs that I was aware of, but looking back I had a few such as heavy periods and occasionally pain during bowel movements. I didn’t even realize endo was so significant to my fertility problems. No one really talks about endo so I don’t think a lot of us even recognize we have any symptoms because it’s our “normal.” My fertility doctor encouraged me to get a diagnostic laparoscopy after having infertility for over 4 years at the time and suffering from three miscarriages. I also have PCOS and that’s often a link with endo as well.

2. Tell me about your infertility journey. What role did endo play in it?

Having endo made it difficult for me to conceive naturally or sustain a pregnancy. My fertility clinic attributes the inflammation from endo to cause poor egg quality and a poor place for embryos to flourish. We tried naturally for about six months with no success. We moved on to intrauterine inseminations which also weren’t successful. We moved to IVF about 2 years in. I completed one egg retrieval, 29 eggs retrieved, 19 fertilized and 9 embryos. Before removing endo I did 5 transfers, 2 of which were fails and 3 were miscarriages. After removing endo, I had 1 transfer fail and my last transfer of my last two embryos gave me my miracle baby! Removing endo was one of the only things I changed. Previous surgeries included a hysteroscopy/polyp removal and several uterine biopsies.

3. Have you encountered medical professionals not knowing about endo? What did they say that was incorrect?

I hadn’t discussed endo too much with any doctors besides my fertility doctors. The group are pretty firm with looking for endo if you have more than three fails or miscarriages. My Obgyn was willing to look and thought I could have it based on infertility but wasn’t as certain as my fertility doctors. My acupuncturist couldn’t believe I wasn’t diagnosed sooner based on a thorough background of family information and information about my periods.

4. How did your laparoscopy go? Any tips for healing? Any noticeable differences after your surgery?

I thought the surgery was very manageable. I didn’t have extensive endo. I only had stage one endo removed and three tiny scars. My tips for healing is to try to get up and walk as much as possible, use a heating pad for shoulder pain, keep up on ibuprofen (I’m not a pain med fan but if you’re given them and take them that’s fine too) and finally take a few days off of work. (Christine's note: I took 2 weeks off of work per my doctor's instructions) I went back too quickly and left pretty soon after coming in. I do find less pain during bowel movements, less bloating and of course I was able to have my baby, so that’s my favorite part of my removal! 😊

5. What advice would you give others going through similar struggles?

I’d say do your research and advocate for yourself. Typically people aren’t going to just bring it up to you to look into because you need surgery for a proper diagnosis. Keep going until you find a good doctor. You might be pleasantly surprised how much your life can change for the better! I can’t tell you how many of my infertility warriors had no clue they had endo until they had surgery. Also swap stories and encourage others. If not for a friend telling me to go check on endo I might not be hanging out with my miracle right now.