Can you have a normal HSG & still have endo?

sescms2004

After 19 mos TTC & 3 c/p's, we're into the "process of elimination" stage.  Trying to rule out what could be going on.  I had a normal HSG a year ago.  I'm scheduled for a fluid ultrasound after the start of my next cycle.  But, I'm also wondering about endo.  I don't have any of the usual symptoms, but I know they're not always present.  I do have IBS, which they say can be related to endo.  But, I've also had my gall bladder removed, so it's hard to tell if my gastro issues are IBS or post-gall bladder removal issues. 

We are looking at possibly moving to IVF.  I really want to make sure we've tested for everything before taking that step, since we are OOP.  If you have endo, would it have shown up on an HSG?  Or is a lap really the only way to see it?  My gall bladder surgery was almost identical to how they perform a lap, and I swore I would never have elective surgery ever again.  I do not do well w/ anesthesia at all (even w/ anti-nausea meds), and I can't take narcotic painkillers (get violently ill).  So, I'm wondering if it's really worth it.  Who knows if my RE would even consider it.  But, at this point, I'm willing to consider anything that will help us get pg and stay pg. 

Any and all advice welcome......

sescms2004

Just to add..... I'm almost certain my gall bladder surgeon checked for endo while he was in there and told my parents he didn't see any.  But that was 6 years ago, so I guess things could have changed. 

lnle

unfortunately the lap surgery is the only way they can definitively diagnose endo. From what I've heard, the tissue doesn't show up on ultrasounds or x-rays.

micheleleigh

If you have endometriomas (large blood-filled cysts), then your doctor can see them on an u/s. Otherwise, the only way to diagnose endo is to have a lap. I had stage IV, and I had none of the normal symptoms. The only thing I can say I had was heavy periods, but I had learned to live with them and thought they were normal. I had a serous cystadenoma which finally started causing me pain once it got to be the size of a grapefruit, and that's what got the process rolling for me. I had a laparotomy to remove it, and my endo was found. Otherwise I would probably still be walking around with it festering inside of me.

Best of luck with whatever you decide. Surgery is not fun, but neither is spending tons of money on procedures that won't work if you have endo (I am also OOP). There are just no easy answers when dealing with all of this stuff. Sorry! 

micheleleigh

Oh, and I forgot to add... I had an HSG on 12/3/08, and my tubes were clear. The HSG only indicates whether or not your tubes have an obstruction.

jcombs

Yep clear HSG and Stage I endo here.  I had 5 donor sperm IUIs all BFNs 2 years ago before I met hubby.  Over a year of trying and 1 IUI with him and doc said with a 34 year old with infertility, it is very likely you have endo.  I had IBS too but played it off as fibromyalgia symptoms...guess I'd rather be safe and know for sure for my peace of mind.

cmwbobo

I had stage 4 endo on my ovaries (endometriomas) that we were not aware of during any of my initial IF testing, and up until a few months ago our only dx was MFI. 

We discovered a fibroid during testing so after 3 "great" cycles that ended in 3 chemical pregnancies we decided to get a 2nd opinion from an RE who specializes in gynecological surgery.  I was very nervous about electing to remove the fibroid because often times they have no affect on fertility (per my Ob/Gyn and both of the REs we've seen).  We figured at this point there was really no other avenue to explore so I went ahead with the procedure, and am very thankful that I did.....  I had one huge endometrioma on each ovary and was subsequently diagnosed with stage 4 endo (even though I had little/no scar tissue anyplace else).  Without the surgery I would never have know -- my HSG, saline-sonos, and hysteroscopy all come back normal.  My RE now says that the fibroid was most likely a non-issue, but that the endo definitely could have been.

Good luck!

Aaron'sAlli

Yes.

LadyRed7

yup! i had a clear HSG in October 08 and i have Stage 3 endo removed just a few weeks ago without even knowing it. They had found the endo cysts at my CD3 u/s and i choose to have them taken care of before they got bigger. Boy was i glad i did, because they had NO idea i had it that bad. No symptoms except a very short period.

Good luck!?