Young Woman With Endometriosis & PCOS Fails Five Clomid Cycles: Next Step?

Question:

Dear Doctor,

Hi, I'm from Minnesota. My husband and I have been trying to conceive since August of 2011. I have endometriosis and PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) since finding out when I was around 17 years old, I'm 25 now. I have had five cycles of Clomid that didn't work. I had laparoscopy surgery for this post December, blocked tubes, suck ovaries, scar tissue, cysts and endometriosis. I'm on metformin because that's supposed to help with infertility and PCOS.

I started femara this month. Had 4 follicle on left and 1 on right from ultrasound. I usually ovulated on the 15th day, this time I didn't ovulate so I took the ovidrel shot and had a positive test. Started estrogen and progesterone day 3po. Currently on day 10po. I have cramps on and off.  I was just wondering what my chances of conceiving are and what is the next step if this didn't work this cycle. Any information or insight would be great! K. from Minnesota

Answer:

Hello K. from the U.S. (Minnesota),

Your statistical chances of pregnancy with Stage Four Endometriosis (endometriosis with extensive adhesive disease) and PCOD is probably less than 1% using any natural treatment method (Clomid, Femara or Injectables with intercourse or IUI).  That is because you have an abnormal pelvis and this location is critical for passage of the egg from the ovary to the tube.  Scar tissue, which is like spider webs, can block the egg from entering or reaching the tube.  Endometriosis causes a chronic inflammation of the pelvis which leads to the inflammatory cells attacking and destroying the egg as it exits the ovary to reach the tube. Polycystic ovarian disease is an ovarian dysfunction where the ovaries don't function properly and so there is a resultant hormone imbalance and lack of ovulation.  All of these put together significantly reduces your chances.

See my website for more extensive information and explanation of the options available for both Endometriosis and PCOS. I am convinced that with the proper information patients become empowered to make the right decision about their healthcare and can ascertain if they are receiving the best care.

It is my humble opinion that you are probably not seeing an infertility specialist because a good infertility subspecialist would have told you all this and not done all the treatments you have done.  The treatment of choice is to proceed to IVF so that you can bypass the pelvis completely.

Good Luck,

Dr. Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG

Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com 

Monterey, California, U.S.A.