Treatment prior to In Vitro Fertilisation

Every woman who wants to get pregnant should undergo a complete gynaecological examination and an ultrasound test. This is how any problems in the uterus or ovaries may be detected. On the other hand, hysterosalpingography (HSG) is an invaluable diagnostic method that helps us find out about the anatomy of the patient’s uterus and Fallopian tubes.

Although HSG is among the major tests used, its sensitivity is about 60%. This means that 40% of results may be insufficient or misleading. Where problems in the uterus, ovaries or Fallopian tubes have been identified, surgical methods are applied to increase the chances of getting pregnant prior to in vitro fertilisation. The surgical procedures applied at this stage are hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, or open surgery methods. In short, issues involving the uterus, Fallopian tubes and ovaries are the three major fields that may call for surgery prior to in vitro fertilisation.

The next article will present a few surgical solutions prior to in vitro treatment. Nevertheless, any intervention should be advised by experienced medical professionals and be carried out at dedicated centres that specialize both in gynaecology and in vitro fertilisation.

It is worth noting that surgery is followed by a period of recuperation, during which no in vitro procedures should be performed. A hysteroscopy to shave off any septum or to prevent adhesions in the area, is followed by a two-month hormonal therapy, while waiting for the tissue to recover. If, however, a polyp has been removed, in vitro fertilisation may commence as early as the next month. Where a leiomyoma has been removed through laparoscopy or open surgery, it is recommended to wait for at least three months before getting pregnant. No waiting is needed after surgeries on account of Fallopian tube inflammation or ovarian cysts. After certain surgeries couples are advised to try to conceive naturally for a year. If there is no pregnancy at the end of that period, in vitro procedures should commence.

In the next article Tayfun Kutlu, M.D., Medical Director of the In Vitro Centre with Anadolu Medical Center, and Ebru Öztürk Öksüz, M.D., a gynaecologist, obstetrician and in vitro fertilisation specialist, will present the modern surgical treatment methods.