Endometriosis- No Symptoms?

Hi there

Has anyone had this but barely any symptoms? I have unexplained infertility and Im wondering, after research, if this could be the cause. The doctors say dont like to do the laproscopy unless they find some kind of abnormality on the HSG test. Mine was normal.

Can anyone share their experiences?

Thanks.

Re: Endometriosis- No Symptoms?

Meeee! After many years of unexplained infertility and many many failed procedures I switched drs who suspected endo right away, went for the lap and turns out he was right. Currently in the middle of my fourth IVF , hopefully now that we know what we are dealing with it will work .

Endometriosis- No Symptoms?

Thanks for the reply! Do you think the only reason they were willing to do lap was bc of the failed ivf cycles? I just don't understand if this is a common cause and some people have no symptoms until they go in and look, Why the docs are so anti this.

Endometriosis- No Symptoms?

I did not know I had it until I had my ds via c section. My ob told me that he saw it on my one ovary. But if it wasn't for that cartoon I would never have known even with all my fertility testing.

Endometriosis- No Symptoms?

I have full blown stage 4 endo that was "removed" by lapro but I had every symptom possible. My dr also suspected it because I had a huge "chocolate" cyst on my ovary, I was first sent for a cat scan and then an MRI before the lap which showed masses all over my organs, the lapro just confirmed what we thought. Maybe get a scan before surgery?

Re: Endometriosis- No Symptoms?

I didn't have symptoms for a long time until it got really bad. But not all drs. believe in it. Maybe seek a Dr. who will take a shot and look. I had a Diagnostic laporoscopy to determine my endo.

Wasn't bad at all.

Re: Endometriosis- No Symptoms?

I had bad cramps that I just medicated myself heavily for but mostly bad gastrointestinal issues and pain from using the bathroom. I saw an amazing gastro dr who ruled out stomach issues but forwarded me to a RE in Cornell to evaluate me for endometriosis. He did the lap and it was all over my intestines and organs. There are studies that it can go as high as the lungs in some women so you may never get typical symptoms. The main symptom of endo is infertility because it messes with your hormones in such extreme ways and causes damage to your organs over time. I had the lap and it was the best decision I ever made.

Re: Endometriosis- No Symptoms?

As for Drs being hesitant, just know it's surgery. Many conservative Drs are not keen about pushing girls into surgery and unfortunately that's the only way endo is diagnosed. I was told by three GYN's since 16 years old that I might have endo but the only way to know is surgery and it's too invasive for a young girl like me and I was thrown on birth control with no relief. When the gastro dr referred me to Dr. Kligman, I figured i would get the same answer. No one wanted to help me from this horrible pain I was having and worse- no one listened to me. So I met with Dr. Kligman and within ten minutes he was scheduling emergency surgery in two days. He heard me and took me seriously. I had stage 4 and my organs were so damaged I was told I may never have children and IVF would be my only option. If I listened to those other Drs who just blew me off, I would probably have no uterus now and that was 11 years ago. I now have two miracle babies and all my Drs say constantly is how lucky I was to have that lap when I did. Endometriosis is still a forgotten disease. Many Drs do not want to believe us when we are suffering. Dr. Kligman took many pictures during the surgery to prove its existence. I just wish more Drs were proactive with diagnosing endo.
By the way, I also had scarring in my uterus and adhesions blocking my tubes and tying my ovary to my intestine so the lap removed all of that also. It can help diagnose other issues that can be hindering pregnancy besides endo.

Re: Endometriosis- No Symptoms?

This is all so helpful! Thank you. I'm going to do another iui and then explore if the pains I've had for years, which ive attributed to a sensitive stomach and stomach issues are possibly something more.

Re: Endometriosis- No Symptoms?

My new dr suspected it bc I have very low amh for my age and sometimes that correlates. He also did a Doppler sonogram that showed some funky blood flow.

TBH even without those things I may have pushed for the lap because of all of my unexplained failures . In this case it was suggested to me before I had a chance to even ask.

Endometriosis- No Symptoms?

For me the Endo spread all over. My Kindey is damaged, my colon was filled with masses, my appendix covered, my bladder and my urethra. I was a mess BUT my major symptoms were the horrible cramps each month and to be honest I did not bleed a lot at all. All the blood was backing up and attaching to other areas. It was horrible. I only realized something was wrong when I went off the pill. I loved my team of doctors if you need a reccomendation FM me. Looks like we will have to go the IVF route but I didnt start yet, I am in denial :(

Re: Endometriosis- No Symptoms?

Unexplained as well and possible endo. Went for my annual check up and my ob wants me to get a pelvic sono to take a closer look, supposedly this doctor can tell what kind of cysts I might have. I didn't have this before I had a healthy 1st pregnancy with no infertility issues. My periods are normal, just typical pms symptions like fatigue and cramping but nothing major. only sometimes heavy bleeding on 2nd and 3rd day. I'll see what happens when I get this pelvic sono done.

Re: Endometriosis- No Symptoms?

My RE always said it is possible but:
If I did have endometriosis that was blocking tubes it would show up on HSG.
If I had hormonal effects, I would likely progress to IVF.
Endo surgery (even just a lap look) is surgery & you run risk of adhesions.

I never had real symptoms though (no pain), but do have really heave periods.