u/AstronomerNo1872

After two years of trying to conceive, including undergoing fertility treatments, I have decided to take a break to just focus on myself and my own health.

I have Hashimoto’s (I take Synthroid) and endometriosis (I’ve had two excision surgeries). I have also gained some weight in the last couple years. I’ve read a lot about GLPs helping inflammation and am looking into micro-dosing while I’m on my break.

(I know about the washout period and am going to be careful around that!)

If you’ve micro-dosed a GLP-1 and have endometriosis, could you please share your experience?

After two years of TTC, including undergoing fertility treatments, I am going to take a break. I’ve already had two excisions with a specialist — these surgeries were life-changing, but I’ve had no luck with pregnancy. I’ve gained some weight in the last couple years, I think partially due to the meds I’ve been on.

I’ve read a lot about GLPs helping inflammation and am looking into micro-dosing while I’m on my break. Overall, I can’t wait to just be a human this summer and not worry about monitoring or tracking.

If you’ve micro-dosed a GLP-1, could you please share your experience? I know there are different brands/types and am wondering what the differences are.

This isn’t exclusively fertility related, but I’m marking it that way since I do mention TTC.

After two years of TTC, including undergoing fertility treatments, I am going to take a break. I’ve already had two excisions with a specialist — these surgeries were life-changing, but I’ve had no luck with pregnancy. I’ve gained some weight in the last couple years, I think partially due to the meds I’ve been on.

I’ve read a lot about GLPs helping inflammation and am looking into micro-dosing while I’m on my break. Overall, I can’t wait to just be a human this summer and not worry about monitoring or tracking.

If you’ve micro-dosed a GLP-1, could you please share your experience? I know there are different brands/types and am wondering what the differences are.

I have been diagnosed with Hashi’s for about 10 years now. I take Levothyroxine and all my labs are within normal range aside from antibodies, which have still dramatically decreased.

I started taking LDN a few months ago in the hopes that it would help with energy, chronic pain/inflammation, and fertility. I titrated up slowly and am finally at 4.5mg.

That being said, I’m even more tired since starting LDN. Wondering if anyone else has experienced this. I’m getting my labs rechecked soon and am curious to see where I’m at.

I’m 35F and have been going through fertility treatments for about a year, which include vaginal suppositories of progesterone to treat a luteal phase defect. I get my period 9-10dpo without progesterone and 13-14dpo with it.

I’ve already had two excision surgeries for endometriosis. I’ve had lots of other testing done and have yet to see one positive test.

Anyways, I’m not sure how much longer I can put up with progesterone. It makes me sad, irritable, exhausted, and bloated. I’ve gained weight and I feel like I can’t keep my eyes open. Getting through the workday is daunting.

I also have hypothyroidism — it’s treated and all my labs have been fine. I eat healthy 90% of the time, don’t smoke, exercise daily. Are there alternatives? It’s crazy that one tiny suppository is making me so miserable.

If you triggered with Lupron (instead of Ovidrel), can you share your experience? I'll be trying this for the first time (timed intercourse). I'm prescribed Estrogen 2mg/day afterward. I'm hoping I have fewer side effects than with Ovidrel.

This is my 5th cycle trying Letrozole.

I’m exploring triggering with Lupron instead of Ovidrel because I had significant side effects with Ovidrel (mainly horrible cramping).

I know Lupron is typically used for suppression - if you’ve used Lupron as a trigger shot, I’d love to hear your experience. Thanks 🤍

I’ve had two endo surgeries. The first found stage 4 endo, the second found stage 2 endo.

I’m in a pretty good place with endo symptoms right now. I’ve also been trying to conceive for about two years. For multiple reasons including financial, I am not able to do IVF. I’ve tried medicated timed intercourse with Letrozole, but no luck — not a single positive test.

Besides IUI, is there anything that’s helped anyone else?

I take supplements including prenatal, Omega 3, CoQ10, and NAC. All my lab work and partner’s lab work has come out fine.

I’ve been TTC for about two years. I had endo surgery in 2022 (did not ttc after) and again in 2024 (started trying around this time). My surgery in 2022 found a ton of endo while my second excision found a lot less.

I’ve been seeing an RE for about a year, and have primarily been trying medicated timed intercourse. I’ve also had a ton of lab work done (all fine) and my partner has been tested (all fine). An HSG confirmed my tubes are open, I’m able to find a peak using OPKs, and lab work has confirmed I ovulate.

IVF is not an option for me financially at this time.

My RE has suggested that a third excision will improve my fertility and overall chances. My former surgeon is no longer available, so I met with a new endo specialist who has excellent reviews. I really like her, but am still on the fence about another surgery. I know that with each surgery comes additional risk, and right now, my endo pain isn’t too bad.

I want to get a second (third?) opinion, but most docs don’t know much about endo, let alone about endo and fertility.

What are others’ thoughts on a third lap? I’m feeling pretty conflicted.

I’ve been TTC for about two years. I had endo surgery in 2022 (did not ttc after) and again in 2024 (started trying around this time). My surgery in 2022 found a ton of endo while my second excision found a lot less.

I’ve been seeing an RE for about a year, and have primarily been trying medicated timed intercourse. I’ve also had a ton of lab work done (all fine) and my partner has been tested (all fine). An HSG confirmed my tubes are open, I’m able to find a peak using OPKs, and lab work has confirmed I ovulate.

IVF is not an option for me financially at this time.

My RE has suggested that a third excision will improve my fertility and overall chances. My former surgeon is no longer available, so I met with a new endo specialist who has excellent reviews. I really like her, but am still on the fence about another surgery. I know that with each surgery comes additional risk, and right now, my endo pain isn’t too bad.

I want to get a second (third?) opinion, but most docs don’t know much about endo, let alone about endo and fertility.

What are others’ thoughts on a third lap? I’m feeling pretty conflicted.

I’ve been using ELF for a long time, and three of their shades match me almost perfectly:
- 205 Light Neutral Olive CC cream (this is the best match)
- Beige Flawless foundation (pretty sure this is discontinued)
- Light Neutral skin tint SPF 50 (I usually only wear this if I’ll be in the sun)

I wanted so badly to like their soft glam foundation, but all the shades seem highly pigmented and peachy/yellow leaning. (I think I am a neutral leaning warm olive.)

I looked at NYX but didn’t see much olive-friendly there.

I’m hoping to find more light olive friendly shades that are vegan, cruelty free, and not super expensive. Also very open to skin tints/tinted moisturizers.

Thanks all!

I’ve already had two laps, the last of which was two years ago. The first found endo at stage 3-4. The second found stage 2 endo.

I’ve tried Letrozole/trigger shot, progesterone for a short luteal phase, HSG (my tubes are open), so many supplements, and i’ve had a lot of testing done. My partner’s testing was also fine. We both have a healthy lifestyle - we don’t smoke and eat healthfully.

I haven’t ever had a positive test, and IVF isn’t an option for us right now.

Folks with endo, is there anything that helped you? I’m feeling really discouraged.

I don’t know if this will make a ton of sense, but I feel like other medical issues I’ve experienced in the past (that have nothing to do with TTC now) are making this process feel more daunting. I know many people have done a ton more treatment than me, tried more things, etc. At the same time, after dealing with complex medical issues as a child, (including missing school and having over 10 surgeries), I find myself feeling tired of medical appointments and procedures in general. As awful as this may sound, I know I wouldn’t have the emotional capacity for IVF even if it were financially an option. This is likely going to make my TTC journey end sooner rather than later, and I have big feelings about it. I really should find a therapist to talk to about this, but in the meantime, thank you for letting me put this here

I think I'm coming to the end of my TTC journey. Nearly three years, two laps, lots of lab work, testing, ultrasounds, HSG, supplements, medications, testing strips, and appointments. I've been navigating other personal/family stuff (who isn't, right?) and I feel emotionally exhausted, frustrated, and done. I just wanted to put this here where others might understand. I'm in my luteal phase and I know my hormones/PMDD are making everything feel worse right now. I know many others have done much more treatment than me, but financially and emotionally, this is what I can manage. thank you for reading, and sending love to anyone else dealing with similar.

I've had two laps with an excellent excision specialist -- one in 2022 (Stage III-IV found), and one in 2024 (stage II found). I was not able to TTC after my first lap, and started a couple months before my second lap.

At this point I'm over two years in without a single positive test. IVF is not an option for me right now unfortunately.

Other things I have tried:

• Monitoring with LH strips (confirmed ovulation with lab work)
• medicated timed intercourse with Letrozole, which I respond well to (several mature follicles each time)
• Ovidrel trigger shot
• SA for my partner (all was fine)
• HSG for myself (tubes are open)
• So much lab work
• Prenatal, NAC, CoQ10, Omega 3, Vitamin D
• Overall healthy diet prioritizing whole foods
• Exercise 6x/week

What the heck am I missing? I keep reading about folks getting pregnant right after laps, and I'm so happy for them. But why didn't it work for me? My RE is now pushing me to have a third lap, and I don't know that the potential benefits of another surgery outweigh potential risks. I wish someone could just tell me what to do, but different doctors have given different recommendations. I'm frustrated, sad, emotionally exhausted, and at a loss.

I’m 35F and have been TTC for about two years. I’ve had two excision surgeries — the first found endo around stage 3/4 and the second (two years later) found endo at stage 2.

IVF is not on the table for me right now.

Things I’ve tried/done so far:
- lab work (all good)
- partner had testing done (all good)
- SIS
- several rounds of Letrozole, a few also with Ovidrel
- progesterone due to a short luteal phase
- taking a prenatal, CoQ10, Omega 3, and NAC
- low-dose naltrexone
- healthy diet 95% of the time (I’m not perfect), exercise 6x/week, rare alcohol use

Is there anything I’m missing? I feel like there has to be. I respond well to Letrozole, growing at least a few follicles each time. I had my tubes flushed during my last SIS in the fall. I have yet to see a single positive test and I feel so discouraged.

I am doing medicated cycles with Letrozole. It looks like I’m going to be triggering with Lupron instead of Ovidrel (due to awful side effects with Ovidrel), then supplementing with estrogen and progesterone. I’ve never tried this before and am a little nervous. Interested to hear others’ experiences!

As an aside, I always thought Lupron was only used for suppression, but apparently it can be used one-time as a trigger shot as well.

I’m currently at 4.5mg of LDN after titrating up since February.

I’ve noticed that I’ve been getting random waves of nausea throughout the day. I take LDN at night, and feel fine after taking it. The nausea starts the next day, usually in the afternoon and evening, and seems to happen randomly — I’ll just have this sudden feeling like I’m going to vomit and it will pass in a few minutes.

Has anyone experienced this?

I have endo and have already had excision surgery. This will be my 4th cycle trying timed intercourse with Letrozole.

My RE is pushing me to use Ovidrel (trigger shot) again. However, last time I used it, I was in so much pain that I honestly considered going to the ER, which is not something I would say lightly! The pain was excruciating. My RE has said this is “just from ovulation,” wasn’t concerned, and wants me to try it again.

I track with OPKs, have fairly regular cycles, and am confident as to when I ovulate. I’ve also had ovulation confirmed with lab work. How much am I hurting my chances by not using Ovidrel? Does it just help with timing or are there other benefits?

This is fertility related, but not just fertility related!

I have already had excision surgery and am trying Letrozole + timed intercourse. This will be at least my 5th medicated cycle. I haven’t had any positive tests yet, but there’s been an unexpected silver lining — my periods are lighter and less painful when I take Letrozole, and my PMDD symptoms are even more manageable!

When I told an OBGYN about this, she said it makes sense since Letrozole tampers down estrogen.

I know that lighter periods aren’t the end goal here, but I’ll for sure take the break. It has me wondering if Letrozole (or something similar) could be used in treating endometriosis symptoms.

Has anyone experienced similar?