Trying to conceive can be a long and emotional journey for many couples. Thankfully there are surgical treatments that can help doctors check and treat abnormalities that may be causing infertility. Infertility is generally defined as a woman’s inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy successfully to full term. Some causes of infertility that surgery can assist with include endometriosis, fibroids, polyps and ovarian cysts.
If you have been trying to conceive for over a year, it is best to start by seeing your doctor. Getting a proper diagnosis is the first step. Your doctor will assess your situation by asking about your lifestyle, medical history and may check your pelvis and abdomen for anything out of the ordinary. You may even be asked to have a few tests done to look for blockages or scarring of any reproductive organs that may be preventing you from getting pregnant.
If a problem is suspected, here are just a few of the options that can be performed at the Surgery Center of Fort Collins to help identify and treat any complications.
Laparoscopy: This minimally invasive procedure uses an instrument with a small camera at the end of it, that once inserted into the abdomen area, lets the surgeon see and treat any abnormalities. It is commonly used for infertility diagnosis and treatment.
Tuboplasty: A type of laparoscopic procedure that is used to remove any obstructions in the fallopian tubes or to reverse a tubal ligation to restore its functionality so pregnancy can be achieved.
Hysteroscopy: This procedure uses a long thin tube with a light at the end of it that is inserted into the uterus via the cervix to check for adhesions inside the uterus. If any are found, they are removed. A hysteroscopy also allows the surgeon to look for any other possible causes of heavy or abnormal pain and bleeding.
Myomectomy: A type of hysteroscopic procedure that is used to remove uterine fibroids. Unlike a hysterectomy, which removes the entire uterus, a myomectomy removes only the fibroids. The goal is for the patient to have an improvement in fibroid symptoms, decreased bleeding and pelvic pressure.
Ovarian cystectomy: Ovarian cysts are relatively common but will interfere with fertility. If the cyst is large or causes pain, your doctor will most likely suggest it be removed. This type of laparoscopic surgery is used to remove cysts formed inside the ovary.
Surgical Infertility Treatments for Men
Although we’ve been discussing procedures focused on the woman’s body, there are surgeries that can be performed on men to correct infertility. A vasectomy reversal will reconnect the vas deferens, which were disconnected during the initial vasectomy to allow sperm to pass. A varicocelectomy is done to correct varicocele, which is the enlargement of the veins in the scrotum that interferes with a man’s fertility.
If you believe you are experiencing infertility, contact your gynecologist. In the event that you may need a procedure to treat symptoms, please call the Surgery Center of Fort Collins for more information. We do perform surgical infertility procedures for patients, and they are often more affordable and less stressful to have done at our ambulatory surgery center as opposed to in a hospital setting. Call 970-821-8634 for more information or to schedule an appointment.