Fertility Surgeries for Improved Conception

Some women are actually quite fertile, but there are road blocks keeping them from getting pregnant. Have you had thorough testing to know if you have any of these road blocks? There are several surgeries that can be done at Santa Monica Fertility that can improve a women’s health and increase her chances of getting pregnant.

Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical technique used in infertility diagnosis and treatment. Doctors insert a long, thin instrument called a laparoscope through a small incision in the navel. The instrument is equipped with a lens and allows for a visual examination of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. This type of surgery can be effective in removing scar tissue from the fallopian tubes and ovaries, opening blocked tubes, removing ovarian cysts, treating endometriosis, and in some cases, removing uterine fibroids.The hysteroscope is also a long, thin instrument equipped with a lens used to diagnose and treat infertility. However, as opposed to laparoscopy, hysteroscopy requires no incision, as the hysteroscope can be inserted directly into the uterus through the cervix. Hysteroscopy is useful in safely and effectively treating fibroids, polyps, and intrauterine septum or scar tissue (Asherman’s syndrome). These two surgeries are very common, and can greatly improve certain women’s chances of getting pregnant.

Another surgery is a myomectomy – this is the surgical removal of fibroids from the wall of the uterus. Uterine fibroids are benign (non-cancerous) and are commonly seen among reproductive-aged women. While many fibroids do not require treatment, some may cause abnormal bleeding, pressure, pain or infertility. Fibroids can cause a variety of pregnancy complications including miscarriage, preterm labor, delivery pain and increased risk of cesarean section. Hysterectomy may also be performed to treat fibroids, but myomectomy is an alternative for women who are looking to preserve their fertility or who do not want to undergo a hysterectomy. Since uterine fibroids can sometimes cause fertility issues, removal can be a good option for women who have difficulty achieving or maintaining a healthy pregnancy, even though uterine fibroids are benign (non-cancerous).

If you have had other doctors tell you that you have uterine fibroids, let the doctor know, or call us at our fertility practice in Santa Monica. Our experts can help you determine whether a myomectomy, or any other surgery, would be beneficial in helping you achieve your goal of a healthy pregnancy.