Can you still get pregnant with endometriosis???

[poetgirl1979]

I was just wondering, there is a good chance I have endometriosis. I have had fibroids in the past. Me and hubby trying to get pregnant, can I still get pregnant with endometriosis??? Anyone dealt with this??? It is SO hard, right now, my cousin, my sister-in-law and two of my friends are all expecting. I'm so depressed over this. Please help!!! =( Me and hubby been married almost 7 years (next month). I'm 26, so I was only 19 when I got married and didn't want kids at first. Hubby is 28.  We've been trying for a month or so. But it's discouraging knowing so many who are pregnant now, and not being one of them. I want to be happy for them, but I find myself jealous.  Isn't that HORRIBLE???!!!  My periods have been regular since I've been off the pill for a few months.  So what's the deal?? Also, another question, any tips to help fertility???  And when I do know when I'm ovulating exactly???
Thanks!!!

[lisak666]

firstly it is still possible.. every case is different though.Seeing your doctor is the first thing to do, then the severity of your case can be assessed by ultrasound or lap.
Feeling jealous or resentful....also normal, i should think a good percentage of women who are trying have had those feelings so dont beat yourself up about it!!
I found the best way to check for ovulation was by taking my temperature,but you have to be scientific.. same time every day and keep a graph to show you the peaks!(a good sign of ovulation)
Alternativley you can ovulation sticks from the pharmacy, i found these work out expensive and that a thermometer was a much better indication!but most women find that they just want to have sex more around the time of ovulation anyway...trust your body!!! I hope this is helpful, keep us informed as to how you are getting on, GOOD LUCK!!!!

[twinmom1]

First off, jealousy, though not pretty, is normal. I use to allow myself one day, alone, of aweful, mean, green to the bone jealousy when yet another friend would announce their pregnancy. I would cry and scream or whatever else would escape my senses (without anyone seeing or hearing) for that one day. After that, I'd send flowers and make that tough call of congratulations with a cheerful and sincere heart.

Being pregnant is an exciting and beautiful thing. Getting pregnant can be hard. Is it very typical to take normal healthy women anywhere from 6 months to a year to get pregnant. Don't worry too much if it didn't work on the first month. Worrying can act as a negative in the world of conception.

If after 6 months you are not pregnant, or if you are expecting symptoms that aren't sitting right with  you, go see your doctor. Most times endometriosis clears itself up with pregnancy. Of course there are more extreme cases where it is stopping the normal routine of ovulation, etc. Endometriosis can be diagnosed by an out-patient procedure called a laporoscopy. I'd just enjoy the trying process for a while. Good luck!

[greenpixie]

I'm not completely familiar with endometriosis, but I do know that it can interfere with fertility.  I've known 2 women that had it who were unable to get pregnant.  BUT, I also know that it is still possible.  Having endometriosis does not automatically make you infertile.  Just be prepared that it may take you a while to get pregnant.  As far as increasing your fertility, there are a lot of things you can try.  I can't speak to their effectiveness because we are only in our 3rd month of TTC.  Beleive it or not, the average time it takes is 6 months!  To begin, start BBT charting.  The advantages are: knowing when you ovulate, keeping track of your cycle, determining the length of your luteal phase, and having your own record in case you ever need to share it with a fertility DR.  Disadvantages: somewhat of a hassle & it takes a bit of the romance out of your sex life.  You may also try vitamin B6 and a Vitex/Chasteberry tincture.  These are supposed to balance your hormones.  Red raspberry leaf is supposed to strengthen and tone your uterus and most herbal tea brands make it.  Research these herbs a little further to get more info before you start taking them.  You may also consider seeing an accupuncturist, as some people swear by them.  As far as the jealousy goes, it does not make you a horrible person.  It only makes you human.  Good luck to you!

[poetgirl1979]

Thanks, so much everybody. It's nice to know other people have the same feelings about these things. Makes me feel a little better. Green--where do I get that tincture stuff? Can I get at Wal-mart, or do I have to go to an herbal store??? Also what's your story??? I really appreciate everyones help. Thanks!!!!

"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you;"
Jeremiah 1:4

[ateague]

I haven't had endometriosis, but I do have the impatient jealous syndrom.  I cried when I got my period after trying so hard the first month.  I thought I was overreacting, but it's perfectly normal to have these feelings.  I went through my sister-in-law's two pregnancies, my friend 2 years younger than me (who got pregnant), and another friend 5 years younger than me (she was married 2 months and had her baby) before I decided it was my turn.  Jealous every time....but happy for them!  It's our turn now!  It will happen, maybe not tomorrow, but eventually!  You have wonderful support on this forum and anytime you start having these feelings again, believe me, someone else out there is feeling the exact same way you do.

[greenpixie]

You will probably have to go to a health food store to get Vitex.  A tincture is the essence of the plant.  It will come in a little bottle with a dropper. It will say "vitex" or "chaste tree berry".  You put about 30 drops in a little bit of water.  It doesn't taste too great, but you get used to it.  They have done a few small studies on its effectiveness and the results were pretty good.  It works really well with women who have low progesterone production.  The downside is that it's slow-acting.  You have to take it for several weeks beofre you notice a difference.  If you don't have a health food store near you you can order it online.  I like red moon herbs.  I think their web address is redmoonherbs.com, but I'm not certain.  I hope it works out for you.

[greenpixie]

Oh! My story isn't much of one.  My DH & I have been TTC since July.  I have a retroverted uterus, make virtually no EWCM, and lately have been spotting before AF, which may indicate low progesterone.  I have been on B6, vitex, and red raspberry leaf for about a month now.  Last cycle I started using natural progesterone cream from O to AF.  I had only a couple of days spotting last time so I hope that means this stuff is starting to work.  I also started taking Evening Primose Oil at the beginning of this cycle to see if it will help increase my EWCM. (In case you are considering that one, just make sure you stop taking it after you ovulate.)  It's still kind of early, but I'll let you know if I see any results.  One more thing. I've recently cut back on the amount of soy in my diet b/c someone posted a study on the maternal forum about soy increasing estrogen.

[poetgirl1979]

Thanks!!! So you want high progesterone and low estrogen???? Hmmm.  I used to have some problems a few years a go and my doc put me on birth control pills to regulate. Then when I went off I've had normal periods. I've been off BCP's for about a year, but not really trying. Only been trying last month and a half. I was SO afraid my periods wouldn't be normal, that I would revert to pre-pill. Can the pill get you back to normal even after you stop taking it??? I was on it for about 2 and a half years. I don't want to go back on, obviously because I want to get pregnant, but also cuz I got SO nauseous withdrawing from it, I thought I was pregnant!!!. But I wasn't.  What's in pills???? Estrogen and progesterone right??? Anyways, I'm kind of confused this month, cuz the last period I had the first day was Aug. 27th, and it lasted about 5-6 days, which is normal, my VERY first period was 8 days!!! Yikes!!! Anyways, about a week a go I started having some sharp pains in pelvic area, in fact it was last Wed. after hubby and I made love. Then I started spotting light pink on Sunday. Then I got some red, but for the last 3 days, Mon, Tues and Wed. it's been MOSTLY brown and only about a quarter's worth, changing every 4 hours or so. There is still a LITTLE red but not much. Should I count this as a regular period??? I counted from Aug. 27th to Sept. 18th/19th and that is 23-24 day cycle, which is a little short, but within normal range.  Oh by Sunday, I had turned to crampy pain and lower back pain. Right now I'm counting this as a regular period, pain has stopped, stopped by Monday night.  Just wanted some other opinions. Thanks!!!!

[greenpixie]

I would count it as a period.  It's kind of funny how you describe it.  My first period after the first time we TTCed was so unusual!  Unfortunately, I don't know much about coming off the pill.  I gave it up years ago because it just made me bloated and moody.  I don't even remember what my cycles were like when I stopped taking it.  Here's the deal with the estrogen-progesterone thing: you absolutely need both in order to conceive.  Without estrogen, there's no ovulation.  The thing is, some women don't make enough progesterone on their own, or they make too much estrogen. (This is especially true in overweight women.)  Progesterone is the primary pregnancy hormone, so if your body doesn't make enough you can end up having a miscarriage.  Progesterone cream just helps balance out the hormones.  It's kind of tricky though.  You are only supposed to use it from ovulation until AF starts.  If you are lucky enough to get pregnant then you can continue taking it a few months into your pregnancy.  I think it's the 10 week mark where the placenta takes over and you no longer need the progesterone cream.  I'm trying pretty much everything I can at this point.  It's sure frustrating!

[poetgirl1979]

Yeah I know it IS frustrating. Anyways I started a normal flow today, so yeah it's a period.  I know my hormones WERE out of balance before I started the pill, that's why I was irregular. But I've been regular ever since coming off it, give or take a few days.  But always within a week of when due. My doc says I wasn't ovulating regularly (sp??) before I went on the pill. So I wonder if I'm ovulating regularly now, since my periods are normal now, even though off the pill. I wouldn't have regular ones if I wasn't right??? I'm due for a doc visit in the next month anyways. But I was just curious about that. I'm going to try all the things you mentioned though. I am somewhat overweight, though I have lost about 40lbs in the last year and a half, so maybe that helped as well as the pill that helped regulate me, even though I've been off it for a year now. Thanks for your help!!

[twinmom1]

Poetgirl,
I'm sorry that you are not preg this month. I do know where you are coming from. It took me six long years of activity trying to get pregnant. Tips, advice, doctors, surgeries... boxers, positions, temperatures, you name it. Poetgirl,it is by God's grace that any of us conceive and deliver healthy births. Your desire shows you to be so very worthy. Taking care of yourself physically and mentally is really important. Before you start playing with estrogen and progestoren, talk to your doctor. I'm happy to see that you have an appointment. The advice given on these sites are all with good intent, but you are unique to each of us. I had endometriosis and had surgery. I had bleeding my first 16 weeks and had big fat progestoren injections twice a day(and lots more challenges and complications), but I had the watchful eye of a doctor guiding me. Taking vitamins, exercising, charting temperatures...great. Playing with your hormones...be careful.
Good luck Poetgirl. I can't wait to see your posting announcing your success. As mentioned before, it takes most women 6 months to a year to conceive. Take a breath.

[JoAnnaRF]

Not to be a downer, but the ODD period could have also been a MC. Which if you think about it can be a positive sign that maybe you do just need a boost in the hormone dept. to help your body continue a pregnancy. Women actually get pregnant and then MC and never even know it all the time. Not all women all the time, but you know what I mean. It happens. I was TTC years ago and was taking HPT's constantly. Had one come up positive and then two days later AF arrived. Had I not been testing all the time, I would have never known I was pregnant in the first place. Luckily I conceived again a month later and he is now almost 15. He was the second of five beautiful children. Be patient and I just know we'll be hearing great news from you soon!

[poetgirl1979]

Thanks for all the nice comments. I would be sad to know I m/c, but do you think it's possible??? I had a lot of sharp pains a few days before I started spotting, and spotted for 3-4 days before my flow got normal. Hmmm, oh well. There's no way to know now, but thank you. I'm not sure though, should I count the first day of my period from the first day of spotting, or first day of actual flow. And the spotting started right after making love with hubby. God bless!

[greenpixie]

You count the first day of flow.  One word about the progesterone thing. If you do decide to go that route make sure you are using NATURAL progesterone cream.  Synthetic versions, which is usually prescribed by a DR, have a whole different effect.  Just make sure you research / talk to your DR before you start doing anything.

[poetgirl1979]

Thanks, I am always careful about researching before I use anything new. I think I will just stick to taking vitamins(b6 included) since it won't hurt me at all, and just trying for a couple more months. I plan to go to my doc though within a month or two, due for annual anyways, yuck!!! If not pregnant by then, I'll talk to her about it. Thanks and God bless!!!

[AnnJ]

I was just reading along, and bear in mind, this is coming only from personal experience. Be careful with B6. I take it everyday, but last month, I had a +HPT, sore breasts for 13 days, and terrible morning sickness. I was so excited! My DH and I had been trying for 3 1/2+ years. I have endometriosis and finished my course of Lupron this summer. I told my husband, my best friend, and my mom that I thought I was finally pregnant...but that morning sickness was getting to be too much. So I went looking on the internet for a natural treatment for morning sickness, and what I found was instructions to take B6. That was when I realized I hadn't yet taken it that day. I popped my 100mg B6, and went to bed. I woke up with one of the heaviest flows and some of the most intense cramps I've ever had...and I cried. Could the B6 have lowered my progesterone levels and caused me to miscarry? We may never know. But I have read before that morning sickness is a sign that the pregnancy is going well. Should've Would've Could've... All I can do is try again.

[AnnJ]

Also, there is overwhelming evidence that eating a soy-rich diet helps, not harms when you have endometriosis. The plant estrols take the place of the harmful human estrogens in your body, and help to regulate your too-high estrogen levels. Just this month, I've started eating at least one serving of soy each day. AF is not here yet, but I feel better so-far. The average American diet is so sugar-laden in comparison to those in Asia, and that is where the studies have been done on soy. Endometriosis is nearly non-existent in Asia, and they eat a great deal of soy every day.
   I've tried natural progesterone (happy PMS cream) before, but it made AF super late (a couple weeks) and just as painful as usual.

[sunshine4kev]

Hi just to give you some hope. I'm almost 32 and have been suffering from endometriosis since I have been in my early 20's. I used to feel the same way but I finally after two laproscopic surgeries have had our beautiful baby girl who is now 3. I wish the best for you and to let you know their is hope for having your miracle child. Good luck

[SHELLY83]

That is very true,..! I commented in another thread that i have been told i have endometriosis, yet i feel preg early this yr. and afew friends of mine have been told they have it too! one of them was told she will NEVER have childen, yet she is expecting with only months to go...and it took only afew months for her to fall preg. She went thru the same thing depression and jealousy...i dont blame her! I wish u luck and i hope this has given u some hope

[chrissyjason]

i had surgery for endometriosis in feb 07.whats the average length of time it takes some one to get pregnant after surgery? we. tryed for 4 out of 5 years and nothing happend. i started hurting so went to doc and found that out. got fixed and its been 5 months and nothing yet. whats up??

[Katielea83]

I know a few people who have gotten pregnant with endometriosis, one after being told she was completely infertile. Good luck, I hope you get pregnant soon.

[saturnine]

hey i have another story for you..my best friend's mom was told that her endometriosis was so severe that should would probably never have children. she got pregnant the first time her husband tried. she also had another baby a year later! also, have you ever heard that pregnancy "cures" endometriosis? two of my doctors have told me this, because i have endometriosis myself..

[mom2rachie]

I have had endometriosis for as long as I can remember and a very severe case... many lap surgeries and many meds......
I was told I wouldn't be able to get pregnant and if I did I wouldn't be able to carry to term.  Well, I went off the pill last Nov, was pregnant by Dec and has a beautiful little girl in Sept of 06. Yes it was a hard pregnancy but that had nothing to do with the endo.  It's possible.....
Good luck to you.

[Carter2007]

I just wanted to say that it gives me such a great feeling to read everyone's comments.  To be able to see so many women that understand the one condition that so many don't makes me want to actually cry.  I am also trying to get pregnant with having a severe case of endo, and I know it's only been 8 months since I've been off the shots and trying, but it still can be discouraging.  Reading everyone's postings has helped me with some questions that I have had so to all of you THANK YOU!