Learn about conditions requiring fertility surgery
Sometimes fertility medications and treatments such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) aren’t enough to help hopeful parents conceive. For this reason, our San Antonio fertility surgeons have the knowledge and experience to treat conditions requiring fertility surgery.
The different types of conditions requiring fertility surgery
Fibroids, polyps, endometriosis, uterine malformations and pelvic adhesions are some of the most common conditions requiring fertility surgery. Our San Antonio fertility surgeons diagnose and treat each of these conditions in different ways.
Fibroids are common, benign tumors of the uterus. When diagnosed early, our San Antonio fertility surgeons can easily remove fibroids during a minimally invasive surgery. When diagnosed later, removal requires a larger abdominal incision. In rare cases, these tumors can become so large that reconstruction of the uterus is not possible. In such cases, our physician will perform a hysterectomy.
Depending on their size and location, fibroids may reduce your chances of pregnancy and/or increase your risk of miscarriage. If our San Antonio fertility surgeons think that your fibroids need to be removed, they will determine the best surgical approach in order to give your uterus the best chance to successfully carry a pregnancy. This could include laparoscopy, laparotomy or hysteroscopy.
Polyps are over-growths of the uterine lining. Although common, they can cause bleeding in between periods and impact fertility. Removal of polyps from the uterus requires hysteroscopy, an outpatient procedure that is usually performed under IV sedation. Most patients can return to work the day after a hysteroscopy.
Endometriosis is one of the conditions requiring fertility surgery. Women with this condition have implants of the uterine lining (endometrium) growing outside of the uterine cavity. During menstruation, most women lose blood and uterine tissue through the vagina and the fallopian tubes into the pelvic cavity. In many cases, the body recognizes these cells as foreign and clears them from the body. When this does not occur, these cells can attach to the ovaries, the bowel, the bladder or the lining of the pelvic cavity. They then grow, potentially creating cysts on the ovaries or scar tissue in the pelvis. They also produce chemicals, called cytokines, which can interfere with fertilization and implantation, leading to infertility. Another cytokine called prostaglandin can cause painful periods. Diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis generally requires laparoscopy.
Uterine malformations can cause infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss and an increased risk of cesarean delivery in women who do conceive. If you have a uterine malformation that causes fertility issues or recurrent pregnancy loss, our San Antonio fertility surgeons will determine whether it can be corrected surgically. If so, they will schedule you for a hysteroscopy and a laparoscopy in order to make a definitive diagnosis and immediately correct the problem. The most common correctable anomaly is a uterine septum. Much less common (and unfortunately irreparable) anomalies include a bicornuate uterus, a unicornuate uterus and a uterine didelphis.
Pelvic adhesions, also known as scar tissue, can be caused by many conditions, including pelvic infection, endometriosis and previous pelvic surgery. Adhesions can restrict the mobility of pelvic organs, cause pelvic pain and significantly impair fertility. Pelvic adhesions can block the pathway from the ovary to the fallopian tube, decreasing the likelihood that the egg will be picked up by the tube, which precludes fertilization and pregnancy. Thankfully, pelvic adhesions can often be treated with minimally invasive surgery.
Consider a surgeon’s experience and skill
Selecting a surgeon to treat conditions requiring fertility surgery is not a decision to take lightly. Our San Antonio fertility surgeons have extensive experience and training in surgical techniques. In fact, their surgical skills have helped many patients overcome their fertility issues to become parents.
Contact us to schedule an appointment to learn more about conditions requiring fertility surgery.