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Fertility Specialists Said She'd Never Have a Child; 3 Weeks After Endometriosis Surgery, Stacy Ledford Was Pregnant Thomas L. Lyons, MD, Reversed 17 Years of Frustration with Endo ExcisionATLANTA, GA--“After 17 years of trying, it was almost surreal that she was pregnant. We were thrilled!” said Richard Ledford, husband of Stacy Ledford, who conceived their one-year-old daughter Caroline Scarlett at age 39 in 2007. The couple had undergone fertility treatments including artificial insemination twice, as well as in vitro fertilization, over two-and-a-half frustrating years. “When the in vitro fertilization didn’t work, they said I had ovarian failure; that it was not possible for me to conceive, and that I’d have to get a donor egg,” said Stacy. “I was totally devastated. How could this happen to us?” The couple decided that the health and financial toll was becoming too great, and they’d cease their efforts to conceive their own child. “But I had a coworker who told me not to give up,” said Stacy, who worked for 20 years as a respiratory therapist. Now working at home, she raises their precious baby Scarlett and runs their farm in Adairsville, GA. “She said I needed to find another physician.” She Sought Dr. Lyons’ Help to Relieve Pelvic PainNo one, including the fertility specialists, had ever diagnosed Stacy with endometriosis, but she knew that her chronic pelvic pain during menstruation and ovulation seemed to get worse, and that these were symptoms of endometriosis. “I searched the Internet for the best endo specialist in Atlanta; after I got on his site and read patient testimonials and watched the videos, I didn’t even consider another physician for this problem,” said Stacy. Endometriosis occurs when endometrial tissue, the tissue that lines the uterus and is shed during menstruation, grows outside the uterus. When this growth occurs, endometrial tissue can develop painful implants which are most common on the ovaries, the fallopian tubes and the ligaments that support the uterus. Other possible sites for endometrial growths are the bladder, bowel and vagina, throughout the abdominal cavity and even up to the throat. “I think endometriosis can play a role in infertility, but it’s not the primary role,” said Dr. Lyons, co-author of What to Do When the Doctor Says It’s Endometriosis or Fibroids: Everything You Need to Know to Stop the Pain and Heal Your Fertility (Fair Winds Press). Often, women take birth control pills to suppress pelvic pain by suppressing levels of estrogen and progesterone, which stimulate endometrial growth. During that time, obviously they can’t conceive, and in the late 30s they may decide to try to have a child. “Hopefully, when they stop the pill they aren’t hurting from the endo any longer,” said Dr. Lyons, “but now the fertility rate is lower—and thus they often blame their inability to conceive on the endometriosis.” In addition, some of the byproducts of endometriosis can affect the man’s sperm motility, so the problem is exacerbated. One in Three Women Have EndometriosisOne of the most puzzling conditions affecting women, the cause of endometriosis is not yet known. The most common theory, however, is that "retrograde menstruation" causes some of the menstrual tissue to back up through the fallopian tubes and implant in the abdomen. Endometrial cells in the menstrual fluid may then attach themselves to various sites in the pelvic cavity and cause growths. Stacy Ledford had Stage III endometriosis. In general, symptoms include pre-menstrual and menstrual pain, heavy or irregular bleeding, pain during sexual intercourse and urinary or bowel problems in conjunction with menstruation. In more serious cases, scar tissue may form on the ovary or fallopian tubes, thus causing infertility. “Her case required aggressive surgical excision, but we preserved the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus,” said Dr. Lyons. He is one of the few GYNs in the U.S. who perform surgical excision, rather than merely lasering off the surface of the disease. Surgical excision involves cutting out the roots of the disease, much deeper than lasering off the surface. Surface ablation can enable it to grow back, just like weeds that have merely been mowed. According to Dr. Lyons, many patients have had four or five laser treatments, which can create scarring over the area—and an even larger problem. However, after a thorough surgical excision, they’re pain free for ten years or more. Dr. Lyons explained that the procedure is done through tiny incisions, using minimally invasive surgery, thus less visible scarring on the abdomen. The patient’s pain may be alleviated immediately. “Often we find them at the mall the next day,” he laughed. Planning Immediate Pregnancy?“If people are not immediately planning pregnancy, we put them on birth control pills. If they want to try to get pregnant, we tell them to go for it—we just don’t expect it to happen that quickly!” said Dr. Lyons. Stacy couldn’t believe her eyes either, and in fact gave herself three pregnancy tests before she believed it was true. She was pregnant three weeks after her endo surgery. “If women have similar symptoms, they should get a second opinion, because even if people are experts, they make mistakes. How many women have been given devastating news and are led down the wrong path? I’d hate to think anyone would miss the opportunity to have their own child. I’d always refer anyone with these symptoms to Dr. Lyons. I still can’t believe we have our precious daughter!” she and Richard smiled. Dr. Lyons, who has been treating women with endometriosis for more than 25 years, says that communication with your doctor is key. “Although there is no cure, treatment options abound. There are many possibilities for pain relief. A careful assessment of your unique symptoms along with a physical exam should point the way for your doctor to help improve your quality of life. Be responsible for getting the treatment you desire. You and your loved ones all will benefit,” he said. Patients seek out Dr. Lyons from around the world for the advanced gynecological procedures he has developed, including the laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy and the laparoscopic Burch procedure. He also trains surgeons worldwide in these procedures.
Center for Women's Care &
Reproductive Surgery© 2006 |
What To Do When the Doctor Says It's Endometriosis
"Everything you need to know to stop the pain and heal your fertility."
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