u/Jaded-Addendum-4489

Hi! I have endometriosis, stage 3. Excised on 4/17. This is now our 17th cycle trying. I didn’t know I had endo until 5 months into TTC (ultrasound found an endometrioma).

After that finding (June 2025), we immediately went to a fertility clinic. Many failed medicated cycles and three chemicals (two natural and one with a medication), and still nothing yet. All of this led me to have the lap in April of this year (excised all endo and detained my 2cm endometrioma). Unfortunately, we have not been successful post surgery yet. On my 3rd cycle since.

Besides the surgery, my husband had a SA and DNA fragmentation. I had a hysteroscopy w/ D&C during my lap (normal), HSG in Dec 2025 (normal), relatively normal labs (working to optimize some with my naturopathic doctor - no insulin resistance, good A1C, normal thyroid, hormones as good), EMMA/ALICE (normal uterine microbiome), CD138 (negative for chronic endometrITIS), vaginal microbiome (a little bit of ureaplasma so my husband and I are taking doxy), did a GI map in August 2025 (lots of GI issues - cleaned that up and no longer have pain). We both have normal karyotypes, I had a normal RPL panel, normal NK cells/IL6/TNF-alpha (no systemic inflammatory concerns). I take baby aspirin and progesterone suppositories during my luteal phase (hasn’t helped us conceive/still lost a pregnancy on this combo).

I am trying to prioritize any-inflammatory foods (but I’m not perfect). I have reduced my alcohol intake and caffeine as well.

I don’t know what else to do. I’m lost. We have exhausted all the diagnostic testing we can do. Not sure if we should even try more medicated cycles. I would really like to avoid IVF, but it’s not off the table. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Is it normal for your periods to be the same level of pain if not slightly more 10ish weeks post surgery? This is my third cycle. I know I ovulated from two follicles on my left but all my period pain is on my right side (where I had an endometrioma and my ovary was tethered to my pelvic wall). The pain is lower right side (still sometimes have the shooting down the leg pain) and lower back on the right side. Is this normal?

Is it normal for your periods to be the same level of pain if not slightly more 10ish weeks post surgery? This is my third cycle. I know I ovulated from two follicles on my left but all my period pain is on my right side (where I had an endometrioma and my ovary was tethered to my pelvic wall). The pain is lower right side (still sometimes have the shooting down the leg pain) and lower back on the right side. Is this normal?

Unexplained infertility often has an explanation…further workups are usually needed (and typical doctors aren’t testing for these things).

Consider looking into the below:

- endometriosis (silent endo makes up ~30-50% of unexplained infertility)
- adenomyosis (sister disease of endo)
- luteal phase defect (short luteal phase/multiple days of spotting before period)
- autoimmune disorders
- chronic endometrITIS (test CD138 on a biopsy)
- thyroid issue (a full thyroid panel needs tested)
- sperm DNA fragmentation
- insulin resistance (also test A1C and fasting glucose)
- chronic inflammation
- Uterine structural anomalies

Unexplained infertility often has an explanation…further workups are usually needed (and typical doctors aren’t testing for these things).

The below instagram post is perfect; but to sum it up, consider looking into:

- endometriosis (silent endo makes up ~30-50% of unexplained infertility)
- adenomyosis (sister disease of endo)
- luteal phase defect (short luteal phase/multiple days of spotting before period)
- autoimmune disorders
- chronic endometrITIS (test CD138 on a biopsy)
- thyroid issue (a full thyroid panel needs tested)
- sperm DNA fragmentation
- insulin resistance (also test A1C and fasting glucose)
- chronic inflammation

https://www.instagram.com/p/DaDU10EjS9y/?igsh=a3RzamYyYnlkY2N3

Unexplained infertility often has an explanation…further workups are usually needed (and typical doctors aren’t testing for these things).

The below instagram post is perfect; but to sum it up, consider looking into:

- endometriosis (silent endo makes up ~30-50% of unexplained infertility)
- adenomyosis (sister disease of endo)
- luteal phase defect (short luteal phase/multiple days of spotting before period)
- autoimmune disorders
- chronic endometrITIS (test CD138 on a biopsy)
- thyroid issue (a full thyroid panel needs tested)
- sperm DNA fragmentation
- insulin resistance (also test A1C and fasting glucose)
- chronic inflammation

https://www.instagram.com/p/DaDU10EjS9y/?igsh=a3RzamYyYnlkY2N3

We are likely headed into our 17th cycle of TTC. I had endo excision for stage 3 on 4/17. We did Letrozole 7.5 mg and had two beautiful follicles and perfect lining but still not conceiving. Has anyone considered adding in GLP-1 to help lose weight and manage any other inflammation? I have done anti-inflammatory, reduced alcohol, cut out caffeine, reduced gluten and dairy and still nothing.

Prior to surgery, we had three chemicals, so I know the endo inflammation is our biggest hurdle.

Thank you!

I wanted to share as I also have cyclical nosebleeds. Leeds. They have lessened since surgery/cautorized.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13166767/

I also get these! These have lessened since excision surgery. Very fascinating.

Hi all. Today I should be one day out from ovulation (1dpo), and I am having very intense ovulation pains.

I did take Letrozole 7.5mg with trigger and timed intercourse this month. I had two follicles on the day I triggered (20mm and 21.2mm) with lining at 8.92mm.

I triggered Wednesday morning at 10am for an expected ovulation at 10pm last night (Thursday). Today I am having pretty intense pain on the side. I know it’s from ovulation/two follicles, but not sure if it’s normal? This ovary had two 3mm endometriosis found during surgery (very very small) that were drained. I did have a 2cm endometrioma drained on my right ovary. Last month, I could tell I ovulated on my right side, as it was painful too (no Letrozole). However, today’s pain seems worst than last month.

Is this normal?

Hi all. Today I should be one day out from ovulation (1dpo), and I am having very intense ovulation pains.

I did take Letrozole 7.5mg with trigger and timed intercourse this month. I had two follicles on the day I triggered (20mm and 21.2mm) with lining at 8.92mm.

I triggered Wednesday morning at 10am for an expected ovulation at 10pm last night (Thursday). Today I am having pretty intense pain on the side. I know it’s from ovulation/two follicles, but not sure if it’s normal? This ovary had two 3mm endometriosis found during surgery (very very small) that were drained. I did have a 2cm endometrioma drained on my right ovary. Last month, I could tell I ovulated on my right side, as it was painful too (no Letrozole). However, today’s pain seems worst than last month.

Is this normal?

Hi all. Today I should be one day out from ovulation (1dpo), and I am having very intense ovulation pains.

I did take Letrozole 7.5mg with trigger and timed intercourse this month. I had two follicles on the day I triggered (20mm and 21.2mm) with lining at 8.92mm.

I triggered Wednesday morning at 10am for an expected ovulation at 10pm last night (Thursday). Today I am having pretty intense pain on the side. I know it’s from ovulation/two follicles, but not sure if it’s normal? This ovary had two 3mm endometriosis found during surgery (very very small) that were drained. I did have a 2cm endometrioma drained on my right ovary. Last month, I could tell I ovulated on my right side, as it was painful too (no Letrozole). However, today’s pain seems worst than last month.

Is this normal?

Unfortunately, my first cycle post stage 3 endo excision failed. I had the best LH surge, ovulated on exactly CD14, and timed everything perfectly and was on progesterone suppositories/baby aspirin starting at 2dpo. I’m pretty bummed.

I am going to start Letrozole this cycle to hopefully boost follicles. Anyone have success the second cycle post surgery?

What else should I do to improve chances? I’m eating GF pretty consistently. Decrease in my dairy consumption, no caffeine, I work out almost daily (Pilates/barre/walking), and trying to decrease refined sugar. Only really drink alcohol after a negative during my period.

Bonus, my SIL’s baby shower is tomorrow. They conceived on their very first cycle. I am so excited for them but devastated/sad/angry for us. I think I’m going to treat myself to a glass of wine or two tomorrow.

I think I am just delulu and hoping for a miracle now. This is my 15th month TTC (started in Feb 2025), and it is my first cycle TTC post endometriosis excision surgery. Before my surgery, I had 3 prior chemicals and many failed medicated cycles. For context, my surgery was 4/17 and my LMP was 5/2.

How likely is a negative at 10dpo on a Wondfo test a true negative? Has anyone ever had a positive after 10dpo on these tests? I have had positives later, but those were chemicals.

This was the first cycle I had the strongest natural LH surge I have ever had. I also ovulated CD14, maybe CD15 (I had two strong LH surges on both days), which prior to surgery, I always ovulated later.

Please help :(

I will continue to shout this to the rooftops! So many doctors never consider endometriosis for the cause of fertility issues. Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women but it is EXTREMELY under diagnosed. I’m guessing 1 in 8 women have it (Australia says 1 in 7).

Endometriosis doesn’t only cause painful periods, but it can cause GI issues, fatigue, infertility, painful intercourse, non-period pain in your pelvis/lower back/hips, painful urination, painful bowel movements, and so much more.

If your doctor ever says endometriosis does not cause fertility issues, drop them ASAP!

Gold standard to diagnose endo is undergoing a laparoscopic endometriosis excision surgery with a specialist. Sometimes (not always) more advanced endo can be seen on ultrasound/MRI, but silent endo will not be seen on ultrasound. I was diagnosed with stage 3 endo after three early miscarriages, a specific cyst on my ovary, and undergoing a Receptiva test.

I will continue to shout this to the rooftops! So many doctors never consider endometriosis for the cause of fertility issues. Endometriosis affects 1 in 10 women but it is EXTREMELY under diagnosed. I’m guessing 1 in 8 women have it (Australia says 1 in 7).

Endometriosis doesn’t only cause painful periods, but it can cause GI issues, fatigue, infertility, painful intercourse, non-period pain in your pelvis/lower back/hips, painful urination, painful bowel movements, and so much more.

If your doctor ever says endometriosis does not cause fertility issues, drop them ASAP!

Gold standard to diagnose endo is undergoing a laparoscopic endometriosis excision surgery with a specialist. Sometimes (not always) more advanced endo can be seen on ultrasound/MRI, but silent endo will not be seen on ultrasound. I was diagnosed with stage 3 endo after three early miscarriages, a specific cyst on my ovary, and undergoing a Receptiva test.

Hi all! I am 3dpo in my first full cycle post excision surgery and drained endometriomas. I am 100% sure I ovulated on my right ovary, the one that I had a 2cm endometrioma drained. I was having lots of pain day before ovulation, day of ovulation, 2dpo and now 3dpo. Sometimes when walking I feel pain. I had intercourse on the day before ovulation, day of ovulation and 2dpo and it hurt some (never have pain with intercourse and only on the side I ovulated from).

Before surgery, I would have ovulation day pain, but never like this. Anyone know what this means? Is it because I’m still healing? Could it be the corpus luteum causing the pain?

I am on progesterone suppositories starting last night at 2dpo.

Thank you!

I think this group would understand my excitement. This is my first cycle post lap (stage 3 excised on 4/17). My period came early after surgery (never been so happy for an early period). Also, my ovulation is today, and it’s the first time in a long time I have ovulated on textbook CD14. I also had the STRONGEST natural LH peak since my 15 months of TTC. I feel more energized, less bloating and pain on my ovulation day, and more “in the mood” than ever before.

I know this isn’t a guarantee we will conceive this month, but my body is doing all the right things. It’s reassuring after so many failed medicated cycles, two IUIs and recurrent chemicals that my body is back to somewhat “normal”. Not sure if we will ever be normal with the endo diagnosis, but feeling good today.