After two failed IVF cycles and a diagnosis of unexplained infertility, a new doctor recommended laparoscopy — revealing stage II endometriosis and tubal adhesions. Following surgery, this patient conceived naturally at age 36 and is now 8 weeks pregnant.
⚠️ These stories are personal experiences, not medical advice or scientific evidence. Success stories are more likely to be shared than unsuccessful ones, so they should not be interpreted as proof that a treatment works. Always discuss treatment decisions with your doctor.
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📊 Story Snapshot
👩 Age: 36📆 Years trying: 4
🧬 Embryo: Natural conception after surgery
🧪 Retrievals: 2
🐣 Transfers: 3
💊 Diagnosis: Endometriosis, Unexplained infertility, Low AMH / DOR
📈 Outcome: Pregnant at 8 weeks (due Feb 2026)
In 2022, I managed to fall pregnant after 8 months of trying. Unfortunately it ended in an early loss. Everyone told me you’re more fertile after a miscarriage so I still had hope. I was 32 at the time; months passed and nothing happened so I went to a Dr. He just told me that people aren’t very fertile and to keep trying. It didn’t sit well with me so I went to another Dr. who happened to be a fertility specialist. She immediately suggested starting to test.
2023, we did blood tests, HSG, sperm test and everything was normal. I was told I had unexplained infertility. So we tried medicated cycles with letrozole. No luck. So we moved on to IUI with letrozole. Two rounds and still nothing. She suggested IVF so in 2024, that’s what we did.
I was told my AMH was low for my age but I wasn’t at the DOR stage. First egg retrieval, we retrieved 10 eggs, 7 were injected through ICSI and 5 fertilized. By day 5, they were all early blastocysts and we transferred 1 (no grade, told it was EB). Out of the rest, all but 1 arrested and they froze a 3BB. The transfer didn’t take. We moved on to a frozen transfer in the middle of the year with the 3BB. Also didn’t take.
At my follow-up, I was told I had poor egg quality. They suggested a mitochondrial transfer and because it didn’t cost anymore, I went along with it. Besides that, the next round used the exact same protocol. We got 11 eggs this time, 2 were sacrificed for the mitochondrial transfer, 8 fertilized and they were all still going by day 5. We transferred 2 this time (grade unknown but I think they were early blastocysts again). Neither took and none of the rest could be frozen.
Once again, I was told it was due to poor egg quality and unfortunately, there was nothing I could do. The Dr. suggested ovarian PRP but said I just had to keep trying and that it was in God’s hand. As a non-religious person, seeking answers through science, I didn’t appreciate that.
I decided to take a break for a few months until 2025. By this point, I was 36 having started trying at 31. We chose to go to a different clinic and boy do I wish I did that earlier. The Dr. said he doesn’t believe in the diagnosis of unexplained and that there had to be something. We did additional tests and eventually moved forward with a laparoscopy and hysteroscopy to check for endometriosis. I didn’t have the typical signs and symptoms of endometriosis and no one had ever even considered this before, but this Dr. said he has seen it in many patients. I thought why not!
April 2025, I had the surgery and it turns out, I had stage II endometriosis, including on my ovary, and my fallopian tube was connected to my bowel. Other symptoms I had, like spotting before periods and gut issues, all resolved. It all started to make sense but no one considered these as symptoms of concern.
After the surgery, the Dr. said everything appeared as it should and we could try naturally with timed intercourse and a trigger shot for a few months before going back to IVF. Roll on end of May 2025, and I had a positive pregnancy test. I am currently 8 weeks (July 2025) with a strong heartbeat and hopeful this will be the one. Due in February 2026.
What would you say to someone who’s going through what you went through?
“Trust your gut. Just because a Dr. says something, doesn’t mean they are right. If something feels off, investigate further. Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion and to question them.”
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