Ovarian Endometriomas: What Are Chocolate Cysts?

Ovarian Endometriomas: What are Chocolate Cysts?

“chocolate cyst,” also known as ovarian endometriomas, are cysts that contain menstrual blood. They are a sign of endometriosis, a disorder in which endometrium (cells from the lining of the uterus) spreads outside the uterus. Your doctor can assist you in managing any uncomfortable symptoms that these cysts may cause. Sometimes getting rid of them is the best course of action.

Must Read: The Vital Role of Psychological Support in the IVF Journey

What are the symptoms of Chocolate Cysts?

Some women may experience symptoms from chocolate cysts. Other ladies might not have any symptoms at all.

Moreover, the existence or intensity of symptoms is not always related to the cyst’s size. In other words, a woman with a little cyst might have symptoms, whereas a woman with a huge cyst might not. Cysts can be anywhere in size between 2 and 20 centimetres (cm).

The symptoms may consist of:

  • painful periods
  • pelvic pain
  • irregular periods
  • pain during intercourse
  • Feeling the urge to pee more.
  • Back pain.
  • Vomiting.
  • Bloating.
  • Nausea.
  • infertility 

What causes chocolate cysts?

Endometriosis and ovarian endometriomas have unknown exact causes, according to doctors. The most prevalent explanation contends that endometriosis arises from the backflow  of some endometrial tissue during menstruation from the uterus (retrograde menstruation). Some of the tissue makes its way back into your ovaries through your fallopian tubes rather than exiting your body through your vagina.

When your body releases the hormones that cause your uterine lining to bleed during each menstrual cycle, the abnormal tissue bleeds as well. It starts to swell up. Menstrual blood and the swollen tissue around it have the potential to develop into an ovarian endometrioma over time.

What effect do chocolate cysts have on fertility?

Chocolate cyst can penetrate, harm, and overtake healthy ovarian tissue. This may seriously threaten fertility. These cysts can be challenging to treat, and the pelvic treatments required to manage or remove them can impair fertility and leave ovarian tissue scarring.

Compared to women without chocolate cyst, these are the following problems women with chocolate cysts face:

  • Fewer eggs.
  • Eggs that are less likely to mature result in decreased fertilization rate
  • Higher chances of unruptured follicle leading to anovulation
  • The thickened outer shell of the eggs may impair fertilisation
  • Higher follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels may be a sign of ovarian issues.

Even while chocolate cyst harm ovaries, many women who have them can get pregnant naturally. If you struggle to get pregnant and have chocolate cyst, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is an additional alternative.

How are chocolate cyst diagnosed?

Physical examinations and imaging tests can reveal signs of ovarian endometrioma. Your healthcare provider might find the cyst during a pelvic exam if it is particularly large. Your doctor can find out if you have a mass thanks to transvaginal ultrasounds, MRIs, and computed tomography scans (CT scans).

Laparoscopy is the gold standard for diagnosing endometriosis. Your doctor will do this procedure by making very small slits in your belly and inserting a laparoscope, which is a thin tube. Your doctor will be able to see the cyst through this tube and either completely remove it or extract a sample for testing (biopsy). Your doctor will identify endometrial glands and stroma cells in the sample if it is an ovarian endometrioma. Laparoscopy allows for simultaneous diagnosis and treatment. However, surgery for the removal of ovarian endometrioma is done according to symptoms. If a patient is having severe pain not responding to medicine and have completed the family then endometrioma can be removed as its removal will also result in damaging the surrounding healthy ovarian tissue leading to decreased ovarian reserve. That is why in patients with infertility with low ovarian reserve, removal of endometrioma if required, is preferably done after freezing of embryos.

Takeaway

Women with endometriosis frequently have chocolate cysts. Medication can frequently be used to treat symptoms. The cysts may need to be removed in some circumstances.

Unpleasant symptoms from ovarian endometriomas can interfere with your life. If you’re still in your reproductive years, it’s not particularly consoling to know that these symptoms typically improve after menopause. Ask your doctor about your treatment choices if you have an ovarian endometrioma. Based on your health and way of living, your doctor may suggest methods for treating your problems.

How Long Can Sperm Live Inside The Vagina After Intercourse?

How Long Can Sperm Live Inside The Vagina After Intercourse?

A healthy sperm can survive for a few hours to five days following sexual activity. The sperm’s ability to survive inside the vagina is entirely dependent on its surroundings. The sperm’s longevity is influenced by the characteristics of the woman’s uterus, vagina, and fallopian tubes.

How Long Does Sperm Live?

Sperm is a crucial component of fertility and pregnancy, and its ability to survive after ejaculation entirely depends on its environment.

Inside the vagina: During three to five days, sperm inside the vagina can survive in cervical mucus or the upper vaginal canal, allowing fert lisation to proceed as long as the sperm is still alive. In order to account for the five days before ovulation and the actual day of ovulation, the fertile window is six days long. An egg has a 24-hour lifespan after being released.

Outside of the body: Sperm can survive in semen for up to a few hours outside the body because they need specific levels of warmth and humidity to survive. When semen is frozen, sperm can be kept for weeks or even years.

What role does sperm motility play in pregnancy?

The sperm enters the vagina during intercourse and travels via the cervix and into the uterus after ejaculation. After that, uterine contractions assist in directing the sperm towards your fallopian tubes.

In just a few minutes, the first sperm may enter your tubes. The sperm’s trip is made simpler the closer you are to ovulation.

Your cervical mucus needs to be favourable for pregnancy to happen. The ideal mucus has the consistency of an egg white. The trip is significantly more difficult if your cervical mucus is thick or dry.

When attempting to get pregnant, sperm count is a concern for many couples, although it only accounts for a portion of male fertility.

The capacity of the sperm to swim correctly is referred to as “sperm motility”. When it comes to getting pregnant, motility can be just as important as sperm count. Pregnancy cannot occur if the sperm cannot reach the egg.

Couples have a number of options to consider if motility is a contributing issue in infertility. IUI decreases the requirement for sperm to swim from the vagina via the cervix as the motility is increased after the semen sample is prepared for IUI and the travelling distance is reduced as the semen sample is placed directly within the woman’s uterus.

With IVF-ICSI, the sperm is injected into the egg and the embryo is grown in the lab before inserting it in the womb.

What’s the role of frozen sperm in IUI and IVF?

Both IUI and IVF are compatible with both fresh and frozen sperm. For these procedures, frozen sperm may be used for a variety of reasons, including the use of donor sperm and the preservation of fertility for a male with cancer.

Even while sperm that has been frozen can last for a very long period, some people think that when it is thawed, its integrity may be damaged. Although, research suggests that at least when utilising IVF and ICSI, frozen sperm may be equally as effective at generating conception as fresh sperm.

What is Hydrosalpinx (Fallopian Tube Blockage)?

What is Hydrosalpinx (Fallopian Tube Blockage)?

When fluid builds up in one or both fallopian tubes, it causes hydrosalpinx, which results in a blockage. Your uterus and ovaries are connected by fallopian tubes. Your ovaries release an egg each month as part of your menstrual cycle, and the egg travels through your fallopian tubes. An open channel is provided by healthy fallopian tubes for the union of an egg and a sperm (fertilisation).

Must Read: The Vital Role of Psychological Support in the IVF Journey

The fertilised egg or embryo passes through the same clear channel to reach your uterus. An embryo can then implant in your uterine wall and grow into a foetus from there. Fluid accumulation obstructs this route in a hydrosalpinx. Sperm may not be able to reach your egg if your fallopian tube is blocked. If fertilisation does take place, the fallopian tube obstruction may stop the embryo from implanting in your uterus. Also, if the embryo reaches to uterine cavity the fluid may harm the embryo leading to implantation failure.

What are the signs and symptoms of a hydrosalpinx?

Rarely does a hydrosalpinx show any symptoms. When your doctor looks into why getting pregnant is challenging, you might not discover your tubes are blocked. When symptoms exist, they consist of the following:

  • Pelvic pain that could get worse during or right after your menstruation.
  • Sticky or stained vaginal discharge.

What causes a hydrosalpinx?

The most frequent cause of a hydrosalpinx is an untreated infection. Your fallopian tubes might become irritated and damaged by harmful germs. Your fallopian tube’s fimbriae, which are located close to your ovaries, are frequently irritated. Your fallopian tubes’ fimbriae are finger-like extensions that sweep an egg out of your ovaries.

Your fimbriae may fuse together during the healing process, closing your fallopian tubes. Your tubes expand as a result of fluid becoming trapped inside of them. Causes of hydrosalpinx include:

  • Sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, that have previously gone untreated.
  • Endometriosis-related tissue growth.
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), frequently brought on by untreated STIs.
  • Scar tissue that remains after pelvic surgery, particularly after the fallopian tubes were operated on.
  • Certain tumours.

How does hydrosalpinx affect your body?

It might be challenging to get pregnant and raise your risk of miscarriage and pregnancy issues if you have an untreated hydrosalpinx. In addition to making it challenging to conceive through sexual activity, a hydrosalpinx can:

  • Reduce your likelihood of conceiving via in vitro fertilisation (IVF): You can conceive via IVF even without fallopian tubes. With IVF, your doctor removes your eggs from your body and fertilises them with sperm from your partner or a donor outside of you. Your medical professional will then insert the embryo into your uterus, where it can grow. Once the embryo implants into your uterine wall, a hydrosalpinx may cause issues. According to research, the fluid from a hydrosalpinx can flow backwards into your uterus, creating an unfavourable environment for embryonic development.
  • Increase your risk of ectopic pregnancy: An ectopic pregnancy can occur when an embryo implants in your fallopian tubes after being unable to reach your uterus due to a blockage. Without treatment, these pregnancies can be fatal and are not viable. 

What tests will be done to diagnose a blocked fallopian tube?

Tests to determine whether your fallopian tubes are blocked include:

  • Ultrasound: On an ultrasound, your fallopian tubes are typically invisible. However, they will appear as such if they are enlarged due to fluid buildup. They can occasionally have a sausage-like form. To ensure that a hydrosalpinx is indeed the source of the alteration, your doctor may request more tests.
  • Laparoscopy: A minimally invasive procedure called laparoscopy enables your doctor to examine your abdominal cavity. To get a better look at your fallopian tubes, they create very small slits in your belly and insert a laparoscope, a small camera. Sometimes, a catheter will be inserted into your cervix and vagina to inject dye into your uterus and fallopian tubes to look for obstructions. A laparoscopy can be utilised to validate the HSG’s findings.
  • Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): A fallopian tube obstruction test using X-ray dye is called an HSG. It is the most typical test for identifying hydrosalpinx. Your doctor will put a dyeing medium within your uterus and use an X-ray to observe how it moves. Your tubes are open if the dye leaks through them and into your pelvic area. Your tubes are obstructed if the dye abruptly ceases.

How is hydrosalpinx treated?

You can increase your chances of getting pregnant by treating a hydrosalpinx. Various variables, including your age and the degree of your obstruction, will affect how you are treated. If you have an illness that is still active, your doctor will recommend medications to treat it. Surgical procedures consist of:

  • Salpingectomy: removes either one fallopian tube or both (bilateral salpingectomy).
  • Clipping of tubes: To stop the backlog of fluid in the uterine cavity, tubes are clipped with the help of laparoscopy. 
What happens if hydrosalpinx is left untreated?

Your chances of getting pregnant are reduced if you have hydrosalpinx, and your risk of miscarriage and problems like ectopic pregnancy is increased. You have a far better chance of having a safe pregnancy if you receive treatment.

Infertility: Causes & signs in men & women

Infertility: Causes & signs in men & women  

Are you trying to get pregnant but it just isn’t working out? You might be concerned about whether you or your partner need to get checked out for a medical issue. Let’s learn what infertility is and the possible causes and symptoms in women and men.

What is infertility?

Infertility is the inability to become pregnant after engaging in frequent, unprotected intercourse for anywhere between six months and a year, depending on your age. Not all cases of infertility result in “sterility”—the inability to ever produce a child. A child can eventually be born to half of couples who receive medical assistance.

Obstacles to conception can affect both men and women. 20% of infertile couples have issues with both partners’ fertility. After conducting all necessary testing, no cause is identified in 15% of couples. We refer to this as unexplained infertility.

What are the causes of infertility in men?

Causes of infertility in men may include:

  • Abnormal sperm development or function as a result of undeveloped testicles, genetic flaws, medical conditions like diabetes, or infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, the mumps, or HIV. Varicocele (enlarged veins in the testes) can also lower sperm quality.
  • Sperm delivery issues due to sexual problems such as structural issues such as a blockage in the testis, early ejaculation, genetic conditions such as cystic fibrosis, or damage or injury to the reproductive organs.
  • Excessive exposure to radiation and other environmental elements such as pesticides and other chemicals, and radiation.
  • Fertility can also be impacted by cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, marijuana use, anabolic steroids, and intake of drugs for depression, high blood pressure, and bacterial infections.

 

What are the causes of infertility in women?

Causes of infertility in women may include:

  • Ovulation disorders, which impede the ovaries ability to release eggs. Conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome, hyperprolactinemia that is increased prolactin hormone, abnormal thyroid hormone may impact ovulation. Too much exercise, food disorders, or malignancies may also be underlying factors.
  • Abnormalities in structure of uterus or cervix, growth of polyps in uterus or cervix, all such conditions can lead to recurrent miscarriages or implantation failure. Uterine fibroids, which are benign (noncancerous) tumors of the uterine wall, can prevent a fertilised egg from implanting in the uterus or block the fallopian tubes, both of which can result in infertility.
  • Inflammation of the fallopian tube is frequently the cause of fallopian tube injury or obstruction (salpingitis). This may be the outcome of pelvic inflammatory disease, sexually transmitted infection, tuberculosis or any other infection affecting reproductive system.
  • The ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes may all be affected by endometriosis, which develops when endometrial tissue spreads outside of the uterus. It may lead to formation of adhesions which may hamper the normal functioning of the fallopian tube. Endometriosis also has adverse effects on the ovarian reserve and on implantation.

What are common signs of infertility in men and women?

Unable to conceive is the only sign for infertility. There may be no sign or symptom of infertility in both males and females.

Takeaway

An estimated 15 to 20 percent of couples who are attempting to get pregnant will experience infertility issues. Infertility due to female factors often accounts for 40% of problems, whilst infertility due to male factors accounts for 30% to 40% of problems. 20 to 30 % of the time, a combination of these variables results in infertility.

You’re not alone if you’ve found out that you’re infertile or think you could have difficulties becoming pregnant in the future. Schedule a consultation with your doctor and discuss your worries there. Even if you have been given an infertility diagnosis, you might still be able to get pregnant if you consult the doctor at earliest.

 

How Does Diabetes Affect Fertility In Men And Women?

How Does Diabetes Affect Fertility In Men And Women?

Diabetes can impact fertility by compromising reproductive health in both males and females. The primary factor behind the failure or delay of implantation and pregnancy is the hormonal disruption caused o by diabetes. Diabetes damages sperm, eggs, and embryos, causing DNA deletions and genetic mutations. Approximately 1 in 11 Indians are estimated to have diabetes, making India the second-highest prevalence worldwide. Diabetes is a condition that develops slowly and discreetly harms your general health and it also impairs your fertility. 

To improve your reproductive health, you can consult an infertility specialist.

Diabetes and Female Infertility

Diabetes is one of the many factors that can influence a woman’s fertility. Low fertility rates can be caused by autoimmune illnesses, PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), problems from uncontrolled diabetes or any chronic illness etc.. Being underweight and overweight both might also contribute to low fertility rates. 

There are two forms of diabetes, Type 1 and Type 2. In Type 1 diabetes the body does not produce insulin to metabolize sugar and the blood sugar levels are increased.  In Type 2 diabetes normal levels of insulin is produced by the body but there is insulin resistance, that is higher level of insulin is required to metabolize sugar. Since, the level of insulin is less than the demand of the body, it gives rise to high blood sugar levels.  In order to conceive naturally, maintaining normal blood sugar levels is essential. Another form of diabetes which develops during pregnancy and blood sugar levels revert to normal after delivery is called Gestational diabetes mellitus.

While it’s true that many women with diabetes can get pregnant easily, diabetes can occasionally make it difficult for a woman to get pregnant. Doctors advise women with diabetes to take extra care to reduce their risk of complications during pregnancy because of this.

  • Women who have hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) during in the early stages of pregnancy are five times more likely to experience complications difficulties, such as congenital anomalies, first trimester abortions, missed abortions. In advanced gestation increased blood sugar levels may result in intrauterine growth retardation (low birth weight) and even sudden intrauterine death.
  • Women with gestational diabetes are more likely to develop diabetes later in life, and are at higher risk of developing diabetes during the next pregnancy. They are also at a twofold higher risk of acquiring hypertension in late pregnancy.

Doctors claim that women with diabetes typically do get pregnant. However, it frequently leads to miscarriage even before they begin to realise that they are pregnant. The disease compromises egg quality, leading to poor-quality embryos. In some women with diabetes, reduced blood flow to the uterus lowers the chances of implantation.

Related: How To Get Ready For A Healthy Pregnancy After Miscarriage

Diabetes & Male Infertility

Men with diabetes may experience problems conceiving. In actuality, type 2 diabetes affects men more frequently as compared to women. It can cause erectile dysfunction in men, which may be related to infertility

Male fertility can be impacted by diabetes in a number of ways, including decreased sperm quality, erectile dysfunction, ejaculatory dysfunction, abnormal or malformed sperm, retrograde ejaculation.

A study compared sperm quality in diabetic and non-diabetic men. It found that non-diabetic men have 25% more sperm than diabetic infertile men. Men with diabetes are also more likely to have DNA damage in their sperm. Evidence shows diabetes increases miscarriage and birth defects in women and hinders conception in men.

Related: How can Male Infertility be treated?

How You Cure Infertility Along With Diabetes?

If diabetes is making it hard to get pregnant, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) can help. Your infertility specialist will tailor the treatment for you.

Experts say pregnancy is possible with well-controlled diabetes and a healthy weight. You and your partner can both visit the best IVF centre in India for the right advice and medical assistance. Your IVF specialist may carry out sperm retrieval techniques like TESA or micro TESE for male infertility if required. They can perform assisted laser hatching, in-vitro fertilization, or intrauterine insemination for female infertility based on the diagnosis.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is useful for both male infertility like in cases with decreased sperm count, motility or morphology and in female infertility where the number of eggs are less.

Finally, treatment only works when you and your partner stick to the fundamental rules, such as eating the appropriate foods, exercising frequently, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding excessive stress. 

6 Things Not to Say to Someone Going Through IVF and Infertility

We have all been in that situation where we said something we aren’t supposed to. And honestly, that’s one of the most embarrassing and awkward moments. But, how would it be when you share something really sensitive with your closed one and they said something hurtful. 

When it comes to a problem, we always share it with our friends. While they may say something insensitive, we must know that they aren’t always meant to be hurtful. Often these hurtful comments are made out of sheer ignorance. All of us just want to be there for our friends and sometimes it hurts. 

When your close family member, a friend or anyone is going through IVF, you have to be very careful about what you say. Your prime focus here is to be there for them and not say something hurtful. 

Things You Should Never Say to Someone Going Through IVF

When it comes to supporting someone going through IVF, you need to be extra careful. One major reason these people opt for IVF is because they are undergoing infertility. It can be very disheartening. Well, here are some things that you must avoid saying:

1. Try to Relax

IVF is going to be a long procedure. Moreover, if you’re trying to conceive through IVF, you need to be extremely patient. One needs to prepare themselves to accept the results whatever may come their way. 

While you may want to make them feel at ease by saying to relax, it does not really help. People battling infertility are always conscious about having a child. Let’s just admit that IVF is a really expensive treatment. Therefore, no one can relax until they’ve received results. 

After all, what would happen if the results aren’t positive? It can lead to a mental breakdown. You must try to be there for people who have undergone IVF but make sure that you aren’t unreasonable about it. 

2. You Have Time

Never, never, never say this to someone going through IVF. Our fertility, especially in women, sees a steep decline after the age of 35 years. The ovarian reserve may vary from woman to woman, but whether it can help in pregnancy or not is still questionable. 

If they are young, don’t try to restrict or restrain them by saying that they have enough time. It is their choice as to when they want a baby. Saying that they have time will not help any individual who has been trying to get pregnant. 

Insurance coverage for IVF will also be limited. Since this is an expensive treatment, they will have to spend a lot. When someone is undergoing IVF, they are already going through a lot. 

No matter how young or old the person is, telling them that they have time doesn’t make sense. Each of them is in the path of their own suffering. There are individuals who may use donor eggs after a certain age. Rather than being opinionated, during these times we should try to be supportive. 

3. You Can Just Adopt

Let’s just say that this is one of the most common things anyone trying IVF has heard. While it is a very legitimate and logical explanation, it does not necessarily help. The path to parenthood is never easy. There are way too many complications that the couple is going through and this just keeps adding to the pain. 

If they wanted to adopt, they would have done that without waiting. It is advisable that you be a little compassionate towards their feelings and let them heal. They are already going through a rough patch, please don’t add more to it. 

4. You’re Lucky that You Don’t Have Kids

This is honestly the worst thing that you can say to someone going through IVF. One of the main reasons why an individual or couple goes through IVF is to conceive and have children of their own. In such a situation, to call them lucky because they don’t have kids is very insensitive.

Rather than telling them things like these, you should consider being supportive. It is advisable to analyze their situation and then say something that will provide assurance to them. 

5. Maybe You’re Not Meant to Be Parents

Nothing hurts a couple more than hearing these words. If this was at all true, why would bad or abusive parents have children in the first place? 

There are many reasons why they aren’t able to conceive. Well, don’t just add to the pain by telling them that they are not meant to be parents. Be compassionate and not rude towards any couple going through IVF. 

6. Why Do You Need a Second Child when You Already Have One?

Secondary infertility can be as painful as primary infertility. Many couples experience this and it can be heart-wrenching. Having a child doesn’t take away the pain when the couple wants to conceive one more child. 

Couples with secondary infertility already feel grateful for having children. However, their desire to have one more child may be due to any other reason. It is advisable that you are polite towards them rather than being rude. 

Winding Up

Going through IVF, wishing to have a child can be an extremely complex procedure. You will need to go through a lot. Moreover, IVF success rate is also an important factor to consider. If you are planning to go through IVF, you need to ensure that you’re following the best practices. 

Reaching out to the professional doctors can be of great help in determining the higher success rates. It is advisable to know your situation and then go for IVF. 

If you want an infertility center with world-class IVF labs, foreign-trained doctors, a promising success rate, and the most complete range of treatments, you should choose Pristyn Care Ferticity Fertility Center.

 

Can You Get Pregnant with Hydrosalpinx (tube blockage)?

Can You Get Pregnant with Hydrosalpinx (tube blockage)?

Hydrosalpinx means the fallopian tube of a woman is filled with fluid. It can be present either in one or both of the fallopian tubes. As the sperm needs to reach the egg to fertilize, the eggs must reach the uterus too, to fertilize with the sperm and develop into a healthy embryo. The fallopian tubes serve that purpose by transporting the released egg into the uterus. Once these are blocked, the passage of the egg is hampered thereby affecting the chances of fertility. This type of infertility is known as tubal factor infertility. However, this can be treated and the patient has a fairly high chance of becoming a mother.

Must Read: The Vital Role of Psychological Support in the IVF Journey

Reasons behind the occurrence of Hydrosalpinx

  • Trauma to the fallopian tube
  • Pelvic Infection or sexually transmitted infection
  • Endometriosis
  • Intrauterine devices
  • Any previous abdominal surgery

How Diagnosis of Hydrosalpinx made?

The most common and painless diagnostic procedure is Ultrasound. The sound waves give a fair idea about the fluid in these tubes. This fluid is said to build-up due to some infections most likely and the scarring of the fallopian tube occurs too which makes it less functional.

Problems Hydrosalpinx creates

Other than creating fertility issues, hydrosalpinx can be problematic for the baby even when you have conceived. For example, if one tube is blocked and the other is open, then a woman can still conceive as the eggs are released alternatively from each tube every month. So even after the lady has conceived, there are chances that the fluid from the fallopian tube can leak inside the uterus. This fluid can be toxic to the embryo thereby creating a high miscarriage rate.

Treatment of Hydrosalpinx

Laparoscopic Tubal Clipping

The most minimal invasive as well as effective treatment is Laparoscopic Tubal clipping. In this procedure, a laparoscope is inserted inside the abdomen by keyhole surgery. A camera is attached to the probe to provide guidance to the surgeon. Through that probe, the fallopian tube having hydrosalpinx is detached from the uterus. This tube is then clipped so that it can not discharge any fluid to the uterus. This protects the embryo. Another tube is also examined for any pathologies.

If that tube also has some issues then IVF is the preferred method.

Laparoscopic Salpingectomy

It is performed in more severe cases of hydrosalpinx. The fallopian tube is removed to prevent any chances of infection or miscarriage.

IVF Treatment

In-Vitro Fertilization or IVF is a preferred method in such cases. As the patient’s eggs are taken painlessly and they are fertilized in the lab with their partner’s healthy sperm. The embryo thus formed is kept in the embryoscope for a few days. Later, this embryo is transferred to the patient’s womb and a pregnancy test is performed after 14 days.

Never give up on your dreams, you can conceive even if you are suffering from hydrosalpinx, any type of tubal blockage or any other infertility issue. You can meet our most experienced Fertility Doctors in Delhi for hydrosalpinx treatment or any other fertility problems.

 

 

Ovulation Disorders: Symptoms & Treatment

Ovulation Disorders: Symptoms & Treatment

Ovulation disorders are a range of conditions that affect a woman’s endocrine system. The endocrine system regulates her hormones, ovulation patterns, or the process by which her ovary produces an egg during her monthly cycle. Infrequent and irregular ovulation, anovulation, or the lack of ovulation, a prevalent cause of irregular menstrual cycles, can be caused by ovulation disorders. 

Ovulation disorders can be caused by certain drugs, medical problems, and lifestyle choices that alter hormone levels. According to the World Health Organization, a couple’s infertility is caused by disordered ovulation in roughly 25% of cases.

Ovulation disorders and infertility

Ovulation disorders frequently lead to infertility in women. The endocrine system secretes hormones during a typical menstrual cycle to get the body ready for pregnancy. It includes gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), follicle-stimulating stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH).

The hormones GnRH and FSH are primarily in charge of causing an egg to develop within a woman’s ovary. LH encourages the mature egg’s ultimate release into the fallopian tube, where the sperm can fertilise it.

Even though cycle lengths differ, women who ovulate regularly have a menstrual cycle that may last from 21 days to 35 days. But ovulation occurs just once during that time. Anovulation, or irregular or missing ovulation, can lead to infertility in women who have hormonal imbalances or deficiencies.

Ovulation disorder symptoms

The symptoms of an ovulation disorder will vary depending on its underlying cause and the hormones that regulate ovulation. Infertility may be the only symptom in some situations. Others consist of:

  • Period irregularities: Period irregularities or absences are frequent.
  • Mood swings: These frequently involve anxiety, depression, and restlessness.
  • Weight gain

Common ovulation disorders

The menstrual cycle and the process of getting pregnant are both greatly influenced by the endocrine system. Being overweight or underweight, for example, might disrupt hormone levels. It could lead to irregular hormone production, damage the ovaries, and create an ovulation issue. Other illnesses, drugs, and lifestyle factors can also affect hormone levels.

The inability to get pregnant and irregular or nonexistent menstruation are the two main signs of disrupted ovulation. However, each illness has a distinct set of symptoms. The primary ovulation abnormalities that we treat most frequently are listed below:

  • Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): The specific cause of PCOS is unknown. But the hormonal imbalances that impact a woman’s androgen (testosterone) levels and insulin sensitivity are most likely to be to blame. Low levels of insulin responsiveness can cause blood glucose levels to rise and testosterone levels to rise.

Although some testosterone is produced by women naturally, those who have PCOS and increased testosterone levels may develop ovarian cysts, irregular or nonexistent periods, and anovulation. 

Multiple cysts that develop over time can prevent ovarian follicles from developing mature eggs. And an excess of testosterone androgen can prevent ovulation and lead to infertility. Male pattern baldness, weight gain, severe acne, greasy skin, and abundant hair on the face, chest, stomach, and upper thighs are some more PCOS symptoms.

  • Premature ovarian failure & menopause: Menopause that begins before the age of 40 is referred to as premature ovarian failure (POF), also known as primary ovarian insufficiency (POI). The ovaries stop generating oestrogen during menopause and premature ovarian failure. Premature ovarian failure commonly happens due to an early “run-out” of healthy ovarian follicles (the sacs that develop into eggs) or because the ovarian follicles aren’t functioning properly.

Although a woman’s body does produce less oestrogen as she gets older, it is still not entirely clear what causes early ovarian failure. Premature ovarian failure is more common in women with autoimmune disorders. Those who have undergone chemotherapy or radiation treatment, or those who have specific genetic problems.

  • Hypothalamic amenorrhea: For a woman to become pregnant, FSH and LH are necessary. The pituitary gland releases FSH during the menstrual cycle to tell the ovaries that a follicle needs to develop into an ovum. The freshly matured egg is removed from the follicle when FSH levels start to fall and LH levels start to rise.

Ovulation may be irregular or nonexistent in women with hypothalamic amenorrhea because their bodies lack the nutrition or fat content necessary to transmit hormone impulses to the ovaries. High or low body weight, extreme weight gain or loss, and excessive stress can all be contributing causes. Dancers, anorexic women, and elite athletes frequently experience hypothalamic amenorrhea.

 

  • Hormone imbalances: Infertility in women can be caused by an overproduction of some hormones. For instance, hyperprolactinemia may result from an overproduction of prolactin, a hormone made by the pituitary gland. In hyperprolactinemia, the excess prolactin lowers the levels of oestrogen, which results in infertility.
  • Lifestyle factors that can affect ovulation: A woman’s level of activity, weight, and use of medications are just a few lifestyle elements that might influence hormone levels and result in infertility. Hormone abnormalities in obese or overweight women may also have an effect on their capacity to conceive.

When taken for extended periods, medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen can impact ovulation. The hormones required for ovulation are interfered with by steroids and various epileptic drugs, including those that a doctor approves for medical purposes. Hormones are frequently used in birth control treatments to prevent the ovaries from producing and releasing eggs.

Even though drugs can affect ovulation, it’s crucial to talk to the prescribing doctor before stopping any prescriptions.

Treating ovulation disorders

 

The quality and frequency of ovulation are the main goals of treatments for ovulation problems. Some treatments consist of:

  • Fertility medications: Oral and injectable fertility drugs can encourage the release of eggs from the ovaries. An oral medicine that requires little to no monitoring will work for most women. When oral treatment is ineffective, a patient will start injecting drugs requiring injectable medications, requiring tighter physician supervision.
  • Lifestyle changes: Patients are urged to adopt lifestyle changes. Regular exercise, stress management techniques, and maintaining a healthy weight are advised. 

 

Indian couple experiences parenthood for the first time

Patient Name: Shobha Devi

Country: India

Hospital: Pristyn Care Ferticity Fertility Clinics

Doctor: Dr Ila Gupta (IVF Specialist)

Shobha’s Story:

We are delighted to help Shobha Devi & Hare Krishna Singh from Bihar, India. They struggled to conceive for almost 3 years and lost all hope of becoming parents. Shobha’s fallopian tubes were blocked and no other hospital was able to treat her. However, the couple was treated by Dr Ila Gupta at Pristyn Care Ferticity Fertility Clinics, and they successfully got pregnant on the first IVF attempt, even though they previously had many IVF failures. 

Shobha’s journey to Pristyn Care Ferticity Fertility Clinics

Watch their journey here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4tpjOALVaA

Shobha’s experience in Pristyn Care Ferticity Fertility Clinics

“After getting my wife treated for infertility at various hospitals, none of the hospitals helped. Then we got to know about Pristyn Care Ferticity Fertility Clinics through a friend and decided to give it a try. Dr Ila Gupta is so knowledgeable that she quickly diagnosed the issue, treated my wife and asked us to try IVF. We didn’t think IVF would work as we already had IVF attempts earlier that had all failed. But the IVF was successful and my wife tested positive for pregnancy. Thank you, Pristyn Care Ferticity.”

                                – Hare Krishna Singh

What is a Hysteroscopy?

What is a hysteroscopy?

Hysteroscopy can be used in both treatment and diagnostic processes. During the surgery, your surgeon will use a narrow, illuminated tube called a hysteroscope to see inside your uterus and at your cervix through your vagina.

Read More: Successful IVF: Tips for a Healthy Pregnancy after IVF Treatment

What is diagnostic and operative hysteroscopy?

A diagnostic reveals structural issues in your uterus. Also, can validate the outcomes of other exams like an ultrasound or hysterosalpingography (HSG). HSG is an X-ray dye test used to determine whether your fallopian tubes are blocked. However, any submucosal fibroid, polyp, adhesions etc. may also be detected by HSG.

An anomaly found during a diagnostic can be treated with an operational hysteroscopy in the same setting simultaneously. Your surgeon uses a tool during operational hysteroscopy to remove anomalies.

What is the purpose of a hysteroscopy?

The purpose of a includes:

  • For visual verification of the outcome of another test.
  • To investigate the reason for pelvic pain or an unusually heavy period.
  • To assist in the excision of polyps, adhesions and fibroids.
  • To assist in the removal of a uterine device (IUD).
  • Along with laparoscopic procedure.
  • To identify any uterine malformations.

Who can go for a hysteroscopy?

In order to decide whether a is necessary, your doctor will examine your medical history and assess your present state of health. has a lot of advantages, but not everyone is a good candidate. For instance, you shouldn’t get a hysteroscopy if you’re pregnant or you have a pelvic infection.

What is the procedure for hysteroscopy?

During the operation, you will be positioned similarly to how you would ordinarily be for a gynaecological exam, with your feet in the stirrups at the end of the exam table. It could take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes depending on why it is being done, it could take anywhere from 5 to 30 minutes. The procedure for hysteroscopy includes:

  • The speculum will first be inserted into the vagina by the doctor. This is similar to what takes place during a gynaecological examination.
  • instrument will subsequently be inserted by the doctor through the cervix. They will keep advancing it into the uterus after passing it through the cervix.
  • After that, the device will gently inject a liquid into your uterus to clear the surface and assist in gradually widening it.
  • The doctor can see the uterus and the opening of fallopian tubes thanks to the light and camera on the hysteroscope’s end. This enables them to make any necessary diagnoses or surgical operations.

The surgical tools will also be inserted through the hysteroscope tube to carry out the surgery if the procedure is being utilised for surgery.

What happens before a hysteroscopy?

Your doctor will check to see if you’re a suitable candidate for a hysteroscopy, go over the process with you, and address any concerns you might have. You’ll get instructions to help you get ready for the treatment.

  • Your doctor will ask what medications you are taking, including vitamins and supplements, and take a medical history. You might need to stop taking aspirin and other anticoagulants, such as blood thinners, before the surgery.
  • The doctor might conduct a physical examination, pelvic examination, and pregnancy test. Depending on the particulars of your procedure, you could be required to undergo a blood test or other diagnostic procedures.

How long does it take to recover

Your recovery period will vary on how involved your procedure was, such as whether your hysteroscopy involved both diagnostic and surgical procedures. Following a hysteroscopy, depending upon the extensiveness of the procedure, patients are frequently instructed to refrain from douching, sexual activity, and introducing anything into their vagina (such as tampons) for two weeks. During your recovery, you could be told to stay away from hot tubs, swimming, and baths.

What are the benefits 

With the help of a hysteroscopy, your surgeon may be able to identify the problem and fix it all at once. A hysteroscopy additionally offers precise, minimally invasive surgery. Your surgeon may be able to find abnormalities and remove them using hysteroscopy without causing damage to the tissue around them.

How painful is a hysteroscopy?

Everybody has a unique experience. According to studies, a patient’s perception of pain during hysteroscopy may depend on a number of variables, including the length of the process, whether or not the patient has given birth previously, and how worried they are before the procedure.

Discuss your worries with your doctor. Inquire as to how you should feel during your hysteroscopy. To ensure your comfort throughout the treatment, find out what kind of anaesthetic you will receive.

Is hysteroscopy major surgery?

Hysteroscopy surgery is regarded as minor surgery. Typically, it doesn’t necessitate an overnight hospital stay. A hysteroscopy can be carried out through your vagina, unlike more invasive procedures that open your abdomen to access organs.

Takeaway

Ask your doctor about the specifics of your hysteroscopy before it happens, such as how long it will take and how long your recovery period will be. Find out if other operations, such as laparoscopy, will take place concurrently. As you get ready for your hysteroscopy, knowing what to expect on the day of the procedure and in the weeks that follow can give you peace of mind.