Fertility decisions

Hi Mosheen

Why not give the Support Line a call and talk things through with one of the nurses. It is there from 8am-8pm everyday.

These links might help in the meantime.

Atypical endometrial hyperplasia - Overview | Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust

This link has some info at the end about fertility support........

Fertility and cancer | Macmillan Cancer Support

I can understand that it is a difficult decision especially after going through IVF and I can understand that it must feel devastating at the moment. 

If cancer is found then there can sometimes be an option to treat the cancer using a mirena coil- this is normally only with grade 1, stage 1a cancer but if there turns out to be an early cancer present then it may be something you want to ask about. 

Jane

Firstly, the coil is often used (sometimes with success) in having a child, even when cancer is found. It would need to be slow-growing, low-grade type though, so speak with your team about this.

Many women have the coil in for this reason - to try for a baby and have success with this treatment. You can have the coil in for some time before they allow you to have it removed to try for a child.

I had the coil fitted as I was unfit for surgery and have had it for almost 9 months now - and the cancer has regressed.

I wouldn't make any rash decisions you might regret later, so talk it all through with your team OR with Mc Millan Nurses, who are very helpful. You still have a window of opportunity, so use it. Good wishes!

Thanks for your reply Jane. I might call the helpline and talk things through, that’s a good idea.

Thanks for replying LolaBear. I’m so pleased your cancer has regressed!

I’m aware of the option for the coil, but at 43 and with previous failed IVF, I’m not sure it is worth me trying this route. I think it’s only worth it if I go with donor eggs, but with my age, I’m just not sure it’s going to work. It’s so hard to make a decision.

Understood - but atypical hyperplasia is thickening of the womb lining, which can be treated by hormone therapy without surgery. Whilst it raises the risk of cancer, it's not cancer as such - and can be tackled by the coil in reducing the lining. My lining has been reduced from 14mm - to 4mm in just 6 months....food for thought, whatever decision you make.

I don’t have thickening of the endometrium, but atypical hyperplasia cells in polyps which keep returning. 

I think I will wait for my MRI results before making a decision.

That’s fantastic that your lining has reduced by so much; will be keeping you in my thoughts for it to continue.

I see. Is it possible to have the polyps removed by hysteroscopy instead? I guess there is the chance that they might recur. Good luck with the MRI...

I’ve already had them removed twice but they just come back..

Thanks, I just hate waiting; I’m impatient at the best of times!

Hi Mosheen

I'm 45 and had a hysterectomy and oophorectomy last year due to endometrial cancer which turned out to be stage 1 grade 1a. I don't have children due to PCOS issues for the entire time my husband and I hoped to concieve, so since my late twenties, and I was finally referred to the right doctor, who didn't just tell me 'go away and lose weight and it will happen', in January of 2020, so you can guess what happened to my fertility journey at that point. Thank you covid!. I've never had IVF. I could never have the coil because even taking small doses of pregesterone makes me severely depressed.

I was offered the option of preserving fertility due to the low grade of the cancer (they said grade 1 at that time) but I knew due to several factors that delaying it would have been futile. I did think about what I would have done had there still been a chance for fertility treatment (I think you can't get it on NHS after age 42 but could be wrong plus I had to work on getting my weight down) and my mind bounced back and forth so I don't envy anybody that decision. 

I always think follow your heart and if you were to flip a coin and have the choice made for you would you be disappointed at the outcome of the route you have to take or would you feel it was the right thing. Sometimes finding out how you will likely feel when one option is taken away can help steer you in the right direction.

Deb