At ESSE Care, we see it every day: patients doing everything right, yet still coming up short in their fertility journey. They’ve changed their diets, tracked every cycle, committed to IVF—but something still isn’t working. The results don’t match the effort.
Dana was one of those patients. Her story is one we know well—and one we believe deserves to be told with care, honesty, and hope.
When IVF Isn’t Enough
Dana came into the fertility process prepared and proactive. Her initial symptoms were subtle—irregular periods, occasional bloating, low-level pelvic pressure—but not dramatic enough to raise alarms. Her labs showed slightly low AMH, but her doctor at the time told her everything was fine. She was told to try naturally and check back later.
But Dana trusted her intuition. She moved forward with IVF early on, believing she was getting ahead of the problem.
Her first round of IVF was successful, however as she underwent subsequent rounds, it was clear that embryo quality was declining. Despite all the protocols, supplements, and planning, it was clear that something was off.
This is the moment many of our patients arrive at ESSE:
Multiple IVF failures. Normal labs. No clear reason why.
It’s also the moment when the conversation around endometriosis begins.
The Missing Conversation: Silent Endometriosis
Dana hadn’t been told she had endometriosis. She didn’t have the “classic” signs—no debilitating period pain or obvious endometriomas on ultrasound. But she had a history of low-grade GI symptoms and cyclical discomfort that had never been fully connected.
At ESSE, we see this all the time. Endometriosis doesn’t always announce itself with textbook pain. Sometimes, it whispers:
- Cyclical bloating and GI distress
- Discomfort with ovulation or intercourse
- Unexplained embryo quality issues
- Subtle inflammation that affects implantation—but doesn’t show up on imaging
This is what we call silent or non-classic endo—and it’s far more common than people realize.
In our webinar on IVF vs. Endometriosis Surgery, we discussed how endometriosis can interfere with every step of fertility: egg development, fertilization, embryo quality, and implantation. And for many, those effects go unnoticed until IVF fails to deliver the results expected for their age and labs.
A Different Approach: Listening to the Whole Body
At Dana’s consultation, we reviewed her full story—not just her labs or protocols, but her lived experience. We mapped her symptoms by system, explored how they aligned with hormonal shifts, and asked one critical question that’s often missing from fertility care:
What’s the environment your eggs are developing in?
IVF can work beautifully—but not if there’s a chronic inflammatory condition like endometriosis quietly disrupting the process. We discussed her options, and together decided on laparoscopic excision surgery to get the full picture and restore pelvic health.
Surgical Clarity, Restored Confidence
Dana’s surgery revealed what had been missed all along: subtle but impactful endometriosis in the pelvis—lesions that don’t show up on imaging, but absolutely affected fertility.
She recovered smoothly. More importantly, she finally had answers. The inflammation was removed. Her anatomy restored. And she returned to IVF with a clean slate—this time, with her body working with her, not against her.
The Part So Many Patients Relate To
Dana’s story reflects what we hear from countless patients:
- “I’ve done IVF, but no one has mentioned endo.”
- “I have symptoms, but they don’t seem serious enough.”
- “I’m working so hard at this—but I still feel stuck.”
- “I don’t know what’s being missed.”
At ESSE, we’re here to help uncover what hasn’t been named yet.
Why This Story Matters
What made Dana’s outcome possible wasn’t just the surgery. It was the collaborative, integrated care plan—designed with her voice at the center.
Her fertility journey became a partnership: between her body, her providers, and her own instincts. And it began with asking deeper questions, acknowledging subtle symptoms, and finally treating the whole person—not just the ovaries.
What You Can Take From Dana’s Story
- You don’t need “severe pain” to explore endometriosis. Silent endo is real, and it’s often overlooked in fertility care.
- You deserve a team that listens to your symptoms—even the ones you’ve normalized. Bloating, pelvic tension, GI changes, and fatigue may be signaling more than you think.
- There’s power in a clear diagnosis. Excision surgery doesn’t just confirm endo—it removes it. This can improve IVF outcomes, egg quality, and give you back a sense of control.
- Surgery is not a last resort—it’s a reset. For many, it’s the turning point after months or years of frustration.
If you’ve been through multiple rounds of IVF without answers—Dana’s story is for you.
You’re not alone. There may be something deeper going on. And at ESSE Care, we’re here to listen, investigate, and build a plan that finally makes sense.
