According to Wikipedia.org “Endometriosis (from endo, "inside", and metra, "womb") is a gynecological medical condition in women in which endometrial-like cells appear and flourish in areas outside the uterine cavity, most commonly on the ovaries.”
I was never aware of the disease until I was diagnosed of having it three years ago (2007). I was so fearful, frustrated, and depressed when I learned about it. My world fell apart.
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Endometrial tissue (shown in green) can attach to many of the pelvic organs. |
Didn’t know I was already having problem with my ovaries until I felt the symptoms: bloated stomach, constipation, nausea, and pain on my right pelvis.
I traced my family background and learned that two of my aunts (my dad’s sisters) also had endometriosis. So my case was hereditary. My aunt had her ovaries and uterus removed when she was 26 years old, luckily, she had one son before the diagnosis. My other aunt had her right ovary removed already, and had two daughters, but just recently, the left ovary and the uterus were also removed.
It’s important to ask for several opinions first before losing hope. The first doctor I consulted from a private hospital advised me that my ovaries had to be removed, that’s the first option. Another option she gave me was to be injected my medicine to make the size of the cysts smaller but will still have to undergo surgery and might still remove my ovaries. In that case, I have decided to transfer to Philippine General Hospital where you can find the best doctors in the country. Good thing the doctor assured me that she will not remove either of my ovaries. But she said it was bilateral and already on stage 4 but thank God it’s not cancerous.
It’s important to ask for several opinions first before losing hope. The first doctor I consulted from a private hospital advised me that my ovaries had to be removed, that’s the first option. Another option she gave me was to be injected my medicine to make the size of the cysts smaller but will still have to undergo surgery and might still remove my ovaries. In that case, I have decided to transfer to Philippine General Hospital where you can find the best doctors in the country. Good thing the doctor assured me that she will not remove either of my ovaries. But she said it was bilateral and already on stage 4 but thank God it’s not cancerous.
At that time, I was about to get married in four months, how can I be sure that I will still have a baby afterwards? I was thinking of calling off the wedding. I don’t know, I was just so confused. Of course, as a woman, I wanted to give my soon-to-be-husband kids someday.
I underwent surgery and it was successful. However, a year after, I was diagnosed of having PCOS (PolyCystic Ovarian Syndrome), more than 12 cysts were found in my ovaries. Had to take pills for six consecutive months; non-stop. Thankfully, six months after the medication, I got pregnant!
I don’t know what will happen next after I gave birth. I just keep on praying that the endometriosis will miraculously disappear and never be back again.
I was glad I found this post. While I don't have endometriosis or PCOS, I have a cyst on my left ovary and a endometrial polyp (at least that's what my OB told me). Two years ago, I had undergone D&C to remove two polyps. And now OB said it has recurred and she wants me to undergo D&C again. She didn't even mention that there is another and better procedure, which is hysteroscopy. So I really want to seek another expert's opinion. I am thinking of going to PGH as well (my OB btw, was a former resident there. She's good but what I didn't like was that she didn't give me options). But they said it will take the whole day just for a consultation (because of the long queues of patients).
ReplyDeleteNext month will be our 1st wedding anniv and we still don't have a baby. The polyp or the cyst could be the culprit. although my husband and I have already talked about the possibility of now having a baby, but of course, I want to try and exert efforts to have one.
I'm planning to have it sorted out by next year. Right now, i'm still looking for another OB.
Congrats on your pregnancy!
Hi Sheng, I could refer you to my OB - Dra. Ma. Antonia Habana (Expertise: Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, 23+ yrs in practice). She has a clinic at Don Santiago Bldg (in front of PGH) Rm 414, Tues & Wed 10-12nn, Thurs 1-3pm. She also has a clinic in Medical City, I just don't know her sched there.
ReplyDeleteyesterday my MIL and I were just talking about this topic. my BIL's wife daw kase have this kaya they're having a difficult time conceiving. we'll tell her nga to ask for other opinions din. anyway, happy to hear you're on the family way na din! take care!
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