[Snazzzy16]

My husband and I have been trying to get pregnant for almost four years. We have gone through many tests, and everything so far has been fine. I ovulate regular, have regular periods, tubes are open, hormones are balanced, and my husband's sperm is normal. Though last week, a polyp was found on my cervix (the dr. struggled to get a catheter inside, during an HSG test). I also sometimes spot around the time of ovulation, so I wonder if I have endometriosis, and if that is what is causing my fertility problem. Also, could the polyp have a connection with endometriosis?

[RubyPitbull]

Snazzzy, endometriosis can cause infertility problems, but not always. Many women who have endometriosis get pregnant without a problem. It is only when it is a severe condition, does it become problematic to get pregnant. Polyps are different than endometriosis. If this hasn't come up before as a possible issue, I doubt that you are suffering from endometriosis. But, the only way to know for sure if you have it, or if there is a connection between the two, is to have a discussion with your doctor about it. I am sure he/she tested the polyp to make sure it was only a growth and not cancer. AND, if it was cancer, doc would have called you immediately. So, not to worry. Quite a lot of women get benign polyps.

I know you are frustrated and concerned. The only way to really know what is going on, to do more digging as to what is the root cause of the problem, is to schedule another appointment with your ob/gyn and have a discussion about it. Find out what other testing can be done in which you can start negating other issues. One such issue might be additional polyps on the ovaries themselves. That condition can inhibit pregnancy. Ask him/her where you can find information to get educated on fertility/infertility issues. The doctor should have quite a lot of information, pamphlets or books, on the subject and is familiar with all the additional tests. If you don't feel that your doctor is doing everything he/she can to help you understand what is happening, you need to find another doctor. But, it sounds like you are being run through the all the normal tests. It is now time for a heart to heart with the doctor and for the doc to tell you what he/she thinks might be going on, what other testing needs to be done, and what all your options are.

I am sorry for the distress you are going through. I know how upsetting this can be. You may be at a point where you need to start considering taking fertility hormones or drugs. The only way to know if this is the next step is to discuss this with your doctor.

[Snazzzy16]

RubyPitbull,

As far as the polyp, my OBGYN never even suggested to remove it, and check to see if it is cancerous. I thought that was odd... as far as I knew, every polyp found, no matter where, needs to be removed and checked to see if it is cancerous. She just referred me to a endocromologist (fertility specialist). As far as getting pregnant, I have already tried going on fertility medication, though obviously with no results. Thanks for your info. I guess I will just have to wait until seeing the fertility specialist.

[J_9]

Snazzy,

An endocrinologist is a different species than a fertility specialist. An endocrinologist deals in disorders of the endocrine system. Maybe you are being sent to a Reproductive Endocrinologist, which would be a kind of fertility specialist who also specializes in endocrinology? They are two different kinds of doctors.

I do find it unusual that the doctor did not remove this polyp. Usually with endometriosis you have some SEVER symptoms during the time of your period.

[RubyPitbull]

Sorry I couldn't have been more of a help Snazzzy. Yes, I have to agree with J_9. It seems strange that he sent you to an endocrinologist for that. I am very confused. And, I can tell you from personal experience, endometriosis can be very painful at times. Although, some women who suffer from it never experience the pain that others do. It sounds like there needs to be more testing and you need to get the doctors to do a better job of explaining things to you. I am a right pain in the rear end when it comes to health issues. If it doesn't make sense to me, I will keep asking questions until I am satisfied that I know everything that is going on. :p

[shygrneyzs]

Ruby and J_9 are so very right, right as rain - endometriosis can cause fertility problems and it can also cause problems in a pregnancy. Been through all that. I do not understand why your doctor did not want to remove the polyp - mine sent me to specialist and all of the polyps were removed and biopsied. Hopefully you will find some answers on your next visit to this new specialist.

Wishing you the very best in all outcomes.

[Snazzzy16]

Thanks for all of your great advise. I have one more question though, I was thinking of just going to a second OBGYN in my area, and getting a second opinion. I heard that through an ultrasound, they can look if I have endometriousus. I thought that going to another one, and also just requesting the polyp be removed anyway would help. Then wait a few months, see what happens, what the results are of the ultrasound, and then go to the specialist my original OBGYN referred me to. Is this a good plan, or is it just a waste of time (and money)? Might I add, we are paying for all of this out of pocket! Thanks so much.

[RubyPitbull]

Getting a second opinion and talking with another OBGYN, is always a good idea. You want answers. Find someone who will give them to you. Yes, they do an ultrasound to find endometriosis and any growths, such as polyps, among other things. I am surprised, yet again, that your doctor hasn't done this already. I would ask the new doctor all the questions that are running around in your mind if I were you. You may find that this doctor has more answers and/or is more willing to run tests that your doctor has not done. If this second doctor removes the polyp and says that it should have been done before, frankly, I would switch doctors and go to that doctor's specialist, if that is what it comes down to.

[J_9]

I agree with Ruby wholeheartedly. You need to be proactive with your health issues. If you do not feel comfortable with the answers you have been given, by all means find a doctor who will sit with you and explain everything in detail in your language (not medical mumbojumbo).

Having been through it all with 7 doctors myself, I can tell you that not all doctors are "patient friendly."

Yes, get a second opinion, third, or fourth if you have to. Take a list of all of your questions with you and don't leave until you fully understand exactly what is going on.

It was my 7th doctor (in finding my cancer) who said to me "not all of us doctors really "know" our patients, you know your body better than we do" That was the day I was diagnosed with cancer after telling him weeks before that I knew I had it and he dismissed my concerns.

So, please get a second opinion if it would help you understand your condition that much better.

[LesaRyan04]

Yes, Endo. Can cause infertility, because I have been trying for 3 years, and I have been diagnosed.
They could have looked for endo. During the lapro.