TTC with endo

My DH and I have been ttc our 1st for over a yr now. I had lap. surgery on Thurs to remove a chocolate cyst and so my RE could remove any possible endo. But my Dr said that my endo was scattered (sprayed was actually the term he used) so he couldn't remove the endo, but he did remove the cyst without harming my ovary. My next step will be clomid. Just wanted opinions re:clomid and endo experiences. Can I still conceive with endo??

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
Endometriosis typically is "sprayed" throughout the pelvic peritoneum.  Laser can be used to remove visible implants, and some studies show a benefit, others don't.
Removing the cyst would probably have been recommended by most if not all physicians, and will probably improve your chances.

It IS definitely possible to conceive when one has endometriosis.  If you were my patient, I would probably set a time limit though -- of maybe 3 -6 cycles of Clomid +/- IUI -- before moving to IVF.  Clomid can stimulate endometriosis indirectly by increasing estrogen levels -- or in other words -- it can make endometriosis worse.  
I would therefore probably also follow your progress fairly closely with ultrasound to rule out recurrence of the cyst or development of new ones.

Hope this helps!
Dr B

[awarner]

Thank u! My dr says only about 2-3 cycles of clomid before moving on to IVF. I just really wish that he'd been able to remove a little of the endo when he removed the chocolate cyst