Hi, I have similar situation. I have been diagnosed endo since 2019 and have cysts about 3 to 4cm. Taking medication but seems did not help much. Lately feeling chest and breast pain. So seeing and seek opinion from another gynae. This gynae provide 2 options. First option will perform laparoscopy which preserve all organs and remove endo from both ovaries and then insert IUD Mirena to control the uterine lining growth. The 2nd option will remove ovaries and uterus. So glad that the gynae has a option to preserve the ovaries and uterus. So my reaction will be the 1st option as I have decided to remove the endo cyst as it has been bothering me a lot. Will go for the surgery soon. However doctor has informed the worst scenario if in case the endo is a lot, the ovaries might be removed. Informed doctor on the IUD as I think i might not be comfortable with that. Ask doctor is there any alternative. So doctor will provide Visanne to treat the endo. Hope the endo is not much and doctor can preserve my ovaries. Thanks.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions, I'm getting my 2nd opinion next week.

I think it’s a little concerning that your doctor says so certainly that the ovary will need to be removed to remove the cysts. I’ve had two surgeries to remove cysts: one endometrioma (chocolate cyst) that was 15cm by 9cm and one durmoid cyst that was 12x12cm. With the first one they removed about half of my ovary, but not the whole thing, and they didn’t have to remove hardly anything with the second. I understand warning that there’s a possibility of losing the ovary but it shouldn’t be so set in stone. It is also dangerous to just leave the cysts in there because they could torsion (twist) cutting off the blood flow to the ovary and you’d lose it that way anyways. I’d definitely getting recommend a second opinion.

I am in the same situation as you. I’m 49. Considering it can take as long as another 8 years to be fully in menopause I have chosen to end this misery and have my ovaries removed but keep my uterus. I feel in my case removing the hormone issue created by ovaries and excising my endo at the same time is best. The endo will be less likely to return without estrogen and I will take progesterone to relieve the menopause symptoms like hot flashes.

Thank you so much for this info, it's so helpful.

I believe the cysts are chocolate cysts. I am currently seeking 2nd opinion, but I have Kaiser which is harder to see dr out of network but I will try to see the possibility.