Minimally invasive endoscopic procedures can enhance fertility rates in women with endometriosis

Minimallyinvasive endoscopic procedures can enhance fertility rates in women with endometriosis

With rise in number of infertility cases among women due to endometriosis and to create awareness about the advanced treatment modules available, Max Hospital Saket organized a mass awareness campaign today.

Advanced minimally invasive procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of tubal factor infertility due to endometriosis have revolutionized the pregnancy outcomes through IVF procedures.

Endometriosis is a very common cause of female infertility and atleast 30-40% of women seeking fertility treatment suffer from this condition. The fallopian tubes and ovaries may adhere to the lining of the pelvis or to each other, restricting their movement.

The scarring and adhesions that takes place with Endometriosis may mean that the ovaries and fallopian tubes are not in the right position, so the transfer of the egg to the fallopian tubes cannot take place. Similarly, Endometriosis can cause damage and/or blockage to the inside of the fallopian tube, impeding the journey of the egg down the fallopian tube to the uterus. In moderate to severe cases, scarring or adhesions in the pelvis may cause infertility.

“Depending on the stage and severity of the condition, it can be treated medically or surgically. In the initial stages medication for pain relief and interrupting the periods may suffice, but if the condition doesn’t recover, surgical intervention may help.  Advanced minimally invasive laparoscopic method is an excellent way to manage and correct the anatomy of pelvis and removing endometriotic cysts and adhesions. It also corrects the shape and position of the tubes and the treatment aims to enhance the fertility. While laparoscopy is the final procedure to help women with the diagnosis of cause of infertility, it also treats the condition simultaneously, thereby eliminating the need of other procedure.” Said Dr. Sonia Naik, Director & Head of Unit- obstetrics & Gynaecology, Max Hospital, Saket, New Delhi

The symptoms of endometriosis may be highly variable from one patient to another. The magnitude of the symptoms may not correlate with the extent of the disease. The common symptoms are pelvic pain and infertility. Pelvic pain usually occurs during or just before menstruation and lessens after menstruation. Some women experience pain during sexual intercourse, bowel movements or urination. Patients can also have bleeding when they pass urine or stools. Endometriosis can be one of the reasons for infertility in otherwise healthy couples.

“While a healthy and normal shape of the cavity is essential for conceiving, hysteroscopy plays a vital role in its correction. It is a procedure that allows looking inside the uterus in order to diagnose and treat causes of abnormality. If an abnormal condition is detected during the diagnostic hysteroscopy, an operative hysteroscopy can often be performed at the same time, avoiding the need for a second surgery. Hysteroscopy is an excellent way to remove the septum(wall in the uterine cavity) or fibroid projecting into the uterine cavity causing distortion. With the help of hysteroscopy tubal cannulation for blocked tubes at the beginning of tubes can be done.” Added Dr Naik.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) procedures are effective in improving fertility for women with endometriosis. Pregnancy rate with IVF procedure following a certain protocol of treatment can reach upto 50 — 60%.