Initial Consultation with an Infertility Expert

October 2017

When I was called by the second infertility specialist, FSMG, I expected to have to wait another three weeks for an appointment. Since I was leaving in one week, for a trip, I figured that our adventures in infertility would have to wait for my return.

But FSMG surprised me by offering me an appointment in just two days time!

I made my first appointment for September 29, 2017 at 10:00 am.

They would have liked for both myself and my spouse to attend, but they didn't require him to go. This was good considering that he would have had to lose wages AND give his work very short notice for the time off.

Ultimately, this consultation was a very expensive one-on-one anatomical lecture given to me by Dr. Kristi Maas*, with the bonus of a transvaginal ultrasound to start the "troubleshooting" process.

I thoroughly enjoyed my lecture with Dr. Maas and asked plenty of follow-up questions, and any questions about female reproductive anatomy that popped into my head-- even if they didn't necessarily apply to my particular concerns.

I'm certain that I got my money's worth in terms of maximum knowledge gleaned from a doctor consultation lecture.

I liked that Dr. Maas not only came across as highly intelligent but that she seemed happy (rather than annoyed or discouraged) when my many questions required her to delve deeper into the descriptions of female anatomical and reproductive processes.

Ultimately, I felt satisfied that I had been assigned to a doctor that I felt I could respect, and that-- I'm certain-- is very important.

And so the lecture ended and the time came to have the magical sound wand inserted into my vagina! This was my first experience with the fun and fascinating times that infertility testing has in store for me!

"Transvaginal ultrasound - is an examination of the female pelvis. It helps to see if there is any abnormality in the uterus (womb), cervix (the neck of the womb), endometrium (lining of the womb), fallopian tubes, ovaries, bladder or the pelvic cavity. It looks at the pelvic organs from inside the vagina using a special smooth, thin, handheld device called a transducer. This differs from an abdominal ultrasound, which uses a warm water-based clear gel applied to the skin of the abdomen and the transducer is moved gently across the pelvic area." (Source: https://www.insideradiology.com.au/transvaginal-ultrasound/)

My experience review: Not a terribly unpleasant experience. Equal to, or not quite as bad as, a routine pap smear.

And we did have some immediate results! 

Dr. Maas (who performed the ultrasound herself-- which is unusual) saw two round things on my left ovary which she said look like "endometriomas". One was large and obvious, and she said, "there may be a second smaller one".

I, of course, wanted to know if this meant I was going to die (soon)!

But-- although they can't be certain-- she was pretty sure I wasn't dying-- instead, she's pretty sure that I have endometriomas from a condition called endometriosis.

"Endometriosis (en-doe-me-tree-O-sis) - is an often painful disorder in which tissue that normally lines the inside of your uterus — the endometrium — grows outside your uterus. Endometriosis most commonly involves your ovaries, fallopian tubes and the tissue lining your pelvis. Rarely, endometrial tissue may spread beyond pelvic organs." (Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/endometriosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20354656)

And an Endometrioma is a lump of this endometrium tissue growing on on ovary! The really gross thing is that these lumps of flesh-like period tissue actually bleed when you have your period but they are stuck inside your body so the blood has no where to go! Eeeeew! (And this can cause scar tissue to form and damage your ovaries.)

So, we already know that I've got at least a pair of those! But that's not all...

Dr. Maas also said that she couldn't see many follicles on my ovaries. 

I like to think of the follicles on the ovaries as egg factories. They mature the immature eggs (oocytes) and one lucky factory gets to pop out the egg of the month! And I don't seem to have very many left (which also means "very many for my age"). Well... shit.

I joked to my husband: "I've never been very good at being a "proper" woman (ie 1950's wifely duties). Looks like that might extend to my reproductive duties as well!"

Next Steps for me: Blood Work / Hysterosalpinogram / Sonohystogram

Next Steps for Scott: Blood Work / And Some Fun in a Cup!


*For Dr. Maas' bio see: https://ivfspecialists.com/dr-kristi-maas/#.Wgjyk4iIa9I