4/28/2020 0 Comments Endometriosisen·do·me·tri·o·sis /ˌendōˌmētrēˈōsəs/ noun: endometriosis a condition resulting from the appearance of endometrial tissue outside the uterus and causing pelvic pain. A couple of weeks ago I was asked by two fertility sisters if I would share with them my experience as someone diagnosed with endometriosis, been through fertility treatment and successfully gotten pregnant. Endometriosis is an often painful inflammatory condition and has a significant impact on fertility. Since endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women of childbearing age (World Endometriosis Society and World Endometriosis Research Foundation), I thought I’d share my experience here as well. Obviously what I have written here does not substitute for personalized medical advice.
Endometriosis is diagnosed surgically so I didn’t receive an official diagnosis until 2 years into my fertility journey, though we suspected that I had it given my extremely painful periods (btw, not all painful periods are caused by endo and sometimes women with severe endo have no pain at all). I was fortunate in that I started receiving treatment for endo well before I was actually trying to conceive. I worked with various alternative healthcare practitioners and a few doctors who were all trying to help me manage my pain. I tried birth control a couple of times as that is typically the first course of medical treatment for endo but the pill made me miserable. I had much more success with various alternative treatments and lifestyle changes.
When I started working with a fertility doctor we worked with the presumption that I had endo from the very beginning. My doctor took a proactive approach and I went through pre-treatments for endo before my actual fertility treatment cycles.
While endometriosis created some additional challenges to getting pregnant, I was able to maintain the belief that it was possible. It was empowering to have things to focus on, like diet, exercise and keeping my feet warm, that helped me to feel as though I was an active agent in my own health. I also had a partner and healthcare team surrounding me who also believed that it was possible. Women with endometriosis get pregnant and have healthy babies every day. If you’re struggling with endometriosis - or any diagnosis of infertility - remember that you are not your diagnosis. As long as there is even a mustard seed of faith, anything is possible!
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