I wish I could help you. I am putting off laproscopy because there is such a 50/50 chance of it helping. Birth control is suppose to help with the inflammation and cysts. It does help me, but I have mild symptoms. A hysterectomy is probably your best chance, but then there are so many other symptoms you can get from that. Hormonal and such. But if you do find something that helps you, which I hope you do, please let us know!

Hi i'm lee I was recently told by my doctor that I have endometriosis and I am going in for a laparoscopy in april my first one, I have had endometriosis for probably 2 years that just went untreated. I have never heard of anyone just having one surgery for this no matter how small the endometriosis is, it kindof worries me a little bit I have been trying for a long time to get pregnant but am still unsuccesful, so I dont want to have to wait through 4 surgerys and 3 years to have a baby. When did you have your first laparoscopy? And how far apart were they and how did you know you still had it? Sorry to ask so many questions but it would help me a great deal. I dont want to start having children until I can deal with myself first and understand everything.

Thankx lee

Hi lee. I think I had endometriosis for about 2 years as well before I was finally diagnosed at 19 yrs. My 1st op was oct 00, 2nd was july 01, 3rd was june 02 and my 4th was dec 03. My doctor is not very impressed that ive had so many in such a short time, but my symptoms were awful afterwards, that we decided that I would have to. I dont want to scare you as im sure everyone isnt the same ( one of my friends had one and she was fine afterwards). My doctor keeps telling me to have a baby, he has since I first walked through his door, but im only 23 and not in a stable realtionship to be even considering it.I knew that I still had it due to the pain level, I actually regret having so many op's, I dont think that its helped at all as the symptoms are still there, I think worse than before.But I think that having it may help you try and get pregnant, as they will be able to see where it is actually growing and remove it.I know of two people that had to have their operation before doing ivf treatment-one because her case of endo is so bad, the other because they both have fertility problems. Im sure that there are differing opinions on the matter- but im sure that you will be fine. Good luck with both the op and getting pregnant. If you want to ask any more questions feel free, I hope that I was of some help to you.
Amanda

Yes, if you are trying to get pregnant, then I would definately get the laproscopic surgery. But if you are not and can deal with the pain, then I would definately wait. My friend was 24 when she finally had to have hysterectomy after four or five surgeries. Each one made her worse. She had two baby girls at a very young age and thank god for that, because she miscarried what would have been her third child and had to have a hysterectomy. This is why I am putting off surgery. I would rather live with pain every day of my life and know that I may be able to have kids someday, then get surgery now and risk not being able to have enough surgeries to get pregnant. ( I dont think that made sense, but I know what I meant) good luck girls!

Surgery is not the only treatment option for endometriosis.

Medications like danazol, for example, that cause a "forced menopause" can be a very effective non-invasive remedy, as well.
Simply put, they cause the periods to stop which in turn causes the lesions to shrink.
On a personal note, I had four laparoscopies-with minimal success each time-but after a nine-month course of danazol, 10 years ago, i've never required further treatment.
I still have mild endo (a recent lap confirms this) but it's not even close to the life altering, painful condition I suffered with for years.
Hope this helps.

As far as herbs go, false unicorn root and chasteberry (vitex) are supposedly very good for treating endo, as well.