Aa
Fertility
Hi,
I was diagnosed with endometriosis earlier this year, 15 years of symptoms. My left ovary is badly effected by endo, and while my right ovary works and has been shown to produce eggs, but it has also spawned a non-connected ovarian cyst that contained cancer cells. (the cyst grew on my appendix, which they removed, but was ovarian in origin… I have no idea how that works.)
The surgeon/oncology team decided to leave the ovary in during the surgery to remove it, so I could have a higher chance of having children. (Honestly, I wish they just took it so I would have peace of mind that the cells wouldn't come back, and I could just accept that pregnancy wasn't going to happen.)
Having one functioning ovary lowers my chance of conception by 5%, but the best guess at the endo’s effect is around a 40% chance of being unable to maintain a viable pregnancy.
All my doctors have said about the issue is that it’s a matter of trying for a baby and seeing what happens… But at the moment I’m unsure if I want children, and I can’t think of anything worse than finally deciding that I do want a child only to find out I can’t have one.
I know there’s nothing definite about being able to conceive/carry a child, but is there a better way to get an idea of your fertility than “try and see”?
I was diagnosed with endometriosis earlier this year, 15 years of symptoms. My left ovary is badly effected by endo, and while my right ovary works and has been shown to produce eggs, but it has also spawned a non-connected ovarian cyst that contained cancer cells. (the cyst grew on my appendix, which they removed, but was ovarian in origin… I have no idea how that works.)
The surgeon/oncology team decided to leave the ovary in during the surgery to remove it, so I could have a higher chance of having children. (Honestly, I wish they just took it so I would have peace of mind that the cells wouldn't come back, and I could just accept that pregnancy wasn't going to happen.)
Having one functioning ovary lowers my chance of conception by 5%, but the best guess at the endo’s effect is around a 40% chance of being unable to maintain a viable pregnancy.
All my doctors have said about the issue is that it’s a matter of trying for a baby and seeing what happens… But at the moment I’m unsure if I want children, and I can’t think of anything worse than finally deciding that I do want a child only to find out I can’t have one.
I know there’s nothing definite about being able to conceive/carry a child, but is there a better way to get an idea of your fertility than “try and see”?
Thanks for the answer.
I kind of figured it was going to be a try and see thing. It's good to hear success stories :)
I kind of figured it was going to be a try and see thing. It's good to hear success stories :)
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