endometriosis removal

[frustrated1]

I found this site after a google search led me to the Redbook site and then here. About 6 weeks ago I had a laparoscopy to determine the the cause of my pain. I had stage 1-2 endometriosis removed from the pelvic wall (located just on the side of the pain), an adhesion of my fallopian tube to my ovary released (thought to have been from an ovarian cyst removal a year ago, at the time no noted endometriosis) and a couple of paratubular cysts removed. The pain is gone and I had a normal period a week after surgery, however with my next period I spotted for 3 days before getting any flow. Does this mean the endometriosis is back? I was told that I should have a period of up to 15 months with the same chance of conceiving as anybody else. I have had two prior pregnancies with no trouble conceiving, but am now convinced that endometriosis that they found will prevent it.

[Dr. Wisot]

Hi:

That would be pretty quick for endometriosis to return. But a year from no documented endo to clinical symptoms and Stage 1-2 is pretty quick.

Perhaps you should talk to your doctor about a course of post-surgery follow-up medical treatment for endometriosis in case it has come back before you start trying again.

Good luck.

Arthur L. Wisot, M. D.
Reproductive Partners Medical Group, Inc.
Redondo Beach, California

[frustrated1]

Thanks for the reply. The surgeries were done by two different surgeons from two different practices, due to an insurance change. The second surgeon thought that it was probably there with the first surgery but since they were just focused on getting the cyst out it was overlooked. The stuff he found he said had the appearance of a clear bleb. Or does surgery ever cause endometriosis? The whole thing is just so frustrating! Would medical management be birth control pills? I have read conflicting advice on getting pregnant with stage 1-2 endometriosis, although the article I read on the endometriosis fertility index sounded hopeful.

[Dr. Wisot]

Birth control pills are an older form of management except immediately prior to IVF.

There are so many questions I really suggest you take your surgical reports and hopefully pictures to a real fertility specialist who can guide you on the fertility aspects.

Arthur L. Wisot, M. D.
Reproductive Partners Medical Group, Inc.
Redondo Beach, California