Keyhole surgery – laparoscopy & hysteroscopy – in infertility

Surgery can often enhance fertility, during both natural attempts, and during fertility treatment like IVF. When there are structural problems that cause infertility, laparoscopy & hysteroscopy can both be used to restore normality and improve the chances of pregnancy.

Laparoscopy

Common problems that can be improved with laparoscopy include

• Endometriosis – laparoscopic excision & diathermy improves fertility
• Adhesions – laparoscopy is used to remove adhesions
• PCOS – laparoscopy can be used to drill the ovaries and start them ovulating again
• Ovarian cysts – can be removed at laparoscopy by shelling them out
• Tubal swellings – removing swollen, blocked tubes – salpingectomy – enhances the results of IVF
• Fibroids – if fibroids are many and bulky they inhibit fertility – they can be removed at laparoscopy
• Adenomyosis – isolated clumps of adenomyosis can be ablated or removed in innovative procedures
• If a retroverted womb is causing difficult embryo transfers in IVF, this can be corrected.

Hysteroscopy

Common problems that affect fertility that can be dealt with by hysteroscopy include

• Cervical & endometrial polyps are removed at hysteroscopy
• Submucous fibroids that prevent implantation can be removed
• Septums that divide the uterus preventing implantation can be removed
• Isthmic shoulders of the womb that reduce fertility can be removed with the hysteroscope
• Just doing a hysteroscopy enhances natural fertility for the next couple of cycles

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should do your own research. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner. For instance, your GP’s opinion will be very helpful.