RE said that IVF is my only option :-(

ChristieH917 · April 2014

I am 36 years old. I got married about a year and a half ago, but never used birth control in the 5 years before that. I knew that getting pregnant would not be easy for us since I was married at 21 for 3 years and never got pregnant. Testing 15 years ago was completely different than it is now. I didn't get any answers as to why back then. Late last year, I had a large cyst on my right ovary. I had to have that removed before I could proceed with any fertility treatment. I had it removed in January, where it was so large that the OB had to take my ovary and tube on that side. I went back to the RE in March and scheduled my baseline testing, including an HSG. The HSG was my second one. The first one showed no problems with my tubes. The second one showed that my one remaining tube was damaged during surgery. he told me that IVF is now my only option. My baseline levels are done and my estrogen levels are low. I start birth control pills next month. To top it all off, I have a cyst... again. I am hoping to start my first IVF cycle in June.

I feel stupid that haven't asked the RE what "normal" is. I go back in about a month but I am not good at waiting. Can anyone help me understand all this bloodwork?

Milagros315 · April 2014

Hi! I'm sorry for all of your troubles and that you're now facing IVF. It's a difficult path for sure, but you can do it - especially if you have a great support system!

Please don't feel stupid. It can be hard to find a balance between knowing enough to make informed decision and knowing so much that you over-think everything and stress yourself out. You'll figure it out soon enough!

I'm not sure what blood work you are referring to exactly, so I'll just give you some general info. At my clinic, they usually check E2, FSH, and AMH before you start a new cycle. Your E2 should be very low. An elevated E2 indicates that you could have some cysts producing estrogen and they likely won't proceed with the stimulation until those resolve. Your FSH should be below 10. I believe "normal" is between 6 and 10. Doctors use this as an indicator of how well you will respond to stimulation medications so that they can pick the appropriate dosage for you. Your AMH will vary based on your age. I think my RE looks wants to see that above 1. This is used as indicator of ovarian reserve and another thing your doctor will use to predict how you will respond.

I hope that helps a little bit. Let us know if you have more specific questions! Good luck!

ChristieH917 · April 2014

I am a very "Type A" personality... so over-thinking is what I do best.

The nurse said that the E2 should rise more than it should have at ovulation. So when I said it was low, I was referring to day 10 bloodwork. The cyst is fairly small and the RE isn't concerned if it doesn't go away because they will aspirate it if the BC doesn't get rid of it. I think that I am just scared of what is to come. I am not a vary patient person and all of this waiting is getting to me.

Waterlily234 · April 2014

I appreciate the Type A part for sure, patience is so difficult to come by. Good luck and KUP on your b/w results.

BunnyBerry · April 2014

So sorry to hear about your tubes! I hope it gives you some comfort to have an explanation for IF now and a plan to move forward. Best of luck, I hope that cyst goes away quickly!

ChristieH917 · April 2014

I know that my tubes are a problem now, but I still don't understand what the problem was before that. My first HSG showed both tubes completely open. I never had a cyst prior to 2012. I had multiple cysts removed in May of 2012 with laparoscopic surgery. Within 6 months after surgery, they were back. January 2014 is when they took the ovary, tube and (at least) 8 cysts. They couldn't do the laparoscopic surgery this time.

Back in 2001, when I had my first fertility testing, they did a test similar to HSG using a saline solution. My tubes were good then also and I didn't have any cysts. There was never a problem found back then.

I have a huge fear that since there is no reason that I can't get pregnant, that IVF won't work. I know that it is my best opportunity.