Worried about trying for kids with 1 ovary:
So my husband and I got married mid last year and started trying for kids soon after we got married. Weren't really worried if I didnt fall pregnant straight away as we knew sometimes these things take time. Come January this year I hadn't got a period for 3 1/2 months which worried me so off to the doctor to get checked out. Doctor recommended an ultrasound & hormone blood tests. hormone test came back normal (to this day I cant understand why-you'll understand in a sec) Had the ultrasound done and they found 1 cyst on each ovary-so 2 cysts and not small ones either. Cysts were blocking ovulation cycle so wasnt getting a period and defintly no way I could get pregnant.
Fast forward a few months- Cysts weren't cancerous thank god but they were big enough and causing me grief for the gyno to highly recommend removal. With a high chance that one ovary would have to be removed, depending how the cyst had grown-doc wouldnt know until the op when she could look at them. So had the operation, they removed both cysts via abdomen incision (basically a c-section cut because of their size) and one cyst had grown into my ovary rather then outside/alongside my ovary so had to have 1 ovary removed. Fast forward to now. First 3 periods after the op came back normal like clockwork and now they are a bit scue-iff where they come around every 2 months approx. We've been trying for kids since the all clear after the op late february- no success...granted these things dont happen straight away. Gyno said we should be fine to have kids now cysts are gone. But with these off balance periods and no success yet I worried that the cysts could return...and what if they grow into my 1 and only remaining ovary like last time and I cant get pregnant?? ..or they have to remove the ovary as well....Would love some advice or other peoples stories/experience who are or have been in the same boat...and did they get pregnant..with only 1 ovary???
Thanks IM.
6 Replies
Keep trying, if you are ovulating you have a reasonable chance of falling naturally. See if you can pinpoint ovulation with a kit, perhaps see if you can find some fertility forums (BubHub might have some good ones) as there may be others with similar issues who have tips. But...
Look into the following: freezing eggs in case the worst case scenario (you lose the other ovary), IVF and AI/IUI, just so you know your options should it not happen naturally.
Good luck xxxx
I had the 'freezing eggs in case' conversation with my gyno after the op, when I found they had to remove 1 ovary. Gyno assured me that Im still young (I'm 23, hubby 27) and that I could probably wait a couple of years to see what happens rather than freezing eggs just at the moment. It is always on my mind though. I was pretty healthy before but Im really strict with my health even more so now..give myself the best possible opportunity...just in case.
I was my mums 1st child when i was 6mths she fell pregnant again but baby ended up being an ectopic pregnancy and at 19wks she lost her right ovary fallopian tube and baby. 8mths after this she fell pregnant with my younger brother. 4yrs after that she fell pregnant unexpectantly, so after loosing one ovary she managed to fall pregnant with two children without even trying that much. Once one ovary is removed your body needs time to recover then it should adjust to cycling every month.
I had an eptopic pregnany and lost one of my tubes. It didnt take me long to fall pregnant.
Its a scary and overwhelming thing to face but there is definitely hope and a great chance you will conceive.
I had my left ovary and tube removed (cancerous tumor) and a partical recection of my right ovary (dermoid cyst) 6 years ago now. After 2 years of TTC we now have a 2 and a half year old. I am now 28. I was much like yourself and had very irregular cycles and do not always ovulate.
My estrogen was/is also low which is a big reason we couldn't conceive.
There is always the option of clomid to stimulate ovulation (how we ended up falling pregnant). I also spent a small fortune on ovulation kits which I also attribute to finally falling pregnant.
I have had a few small reacurring cysts but they were functional cysts that resolved on their own.
I recommend annual ultrasounds for piece of mind. Have your hormone levels checked also.
Good luck and don't give up hope xxx
Get your husband tested. Learn from my experience. He's probably fine, but have that one simple test done and eliminate him as a possible contributor to your situation. Good luck with all the rest.