Questionwhen i was a little girl i was raped repeatedly by a guy. it started when i was a baby literally and continued till i was five years old. now that I'm older (18) my boyfriend and i want to have children. I was recently diagnosed with endometriosis and have had surgery on my ovaries. I have severe back pain when i have my periods and literally get sick like i puke and stuff. I want to know if I'm infertile. i love children, i have a 3 year old niece and she's the light of my life but i really want one of my own and i seem to have a problem. I've conceived before but it always ends up with a miscarriage. I really would like to know if i can have children. please e-mail me back soon.
Thanks
AnswerHello Jessica,
Yours is a very sad story. I hope that this guy was reported to the authorities.
Rape can be a cause of infertility because many rapists carry sexually transmitted diseases that they pass to their victim. These infections can cause tubal blockage and sterility. From what you said about being pregnant in the past, it is unlikely that you got anything because you wouldn't have gotten pregnant.
Miscarriages are for different reasons. Most often it is due to an abnormal embryo or fetus, and the body realizes this and stops the pregnancy. Most of these are spontaneous and not because of something that you or your partner are carrying. However, if you have three or more miscarriages, we recommend that you undergo an evaluation.
In terms of the severe cramping that you have, it is a red flag for a pelvic disease called Endometriosis. You need to have a laparoscopy (outpatient surgery) to evaluate for this. It can often be treated through the laparoscope at the same time. Endometriosis causes infertility in 20% of cases, and it worsens with time, so it is something you want to take care of early.
I hope this answers your questions.
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
