What Is Gamete Intrafallopian Tube Transfer?

Gamete intrafallopian tube transfer or GIFT is one of the assisted reproductive technologies that include removing the woman’s egg and mixing it with the man’s sperm and immediately placing it in your fallopian tubes.

In this procedure, fertilization takes place inside of your fallopian tubes.

For the procedure to be successful, you should have healthy fallopian tubes.

GIFT may be suggested when there is a low sperm count, or sperm with poor motility (ability to move) and for couples with unexplained infertility.

Steps involved in GIFT procedure:

• You are suggested to take medications that can stimulate your ovaries to produce more number of eggs.


• Your eggs are collected with the help of an aspiration procedure.


• Immediately, four to five eggs are mixed with about 200,000 mobile sperm and placed in a special catheter.


• This mixture is transferred through a laparoscopic procedure, in which a catheter is placed in your fallopian tubes and the mixture is injected.


• The final step is waiting for pregnancy symptoms to appear. Blood test is performed to confirm your pregnancy.
  

Who can undergo the GIFT procedure?

GIFT can be received by anyone, except the one with:

• Significant tubal damage


• Tubal blockage


• An anatomic problem with the uterus, such as severe intrauterine adhesions
  

Generally, IVF is a best procedure for male factor infertility because it is less invasive and there is more control over the quality of the resulting embryos.

Complete GIFT cycle takes four to six weeks. With GIFT, egg retrieval and gamete transfer happens in the same operation. You will be discharged the same day of the surgery.

The success rate of GIFT depends on your type of fertility problem and it is about 25 to 30%. Success rate is more with younger women as they have more eggs.

Are there any disadvantages of GIFT?

This procedure is not as widely used as IVF because it includes laparoscopic surgery. In IVF, embryo is transferred to the uterus via the vagina and cervix, which is a much less complicated procedure.

The probability of having twins or triplets is higher with GIFT than natural conception. With multiple pregnancies, there is greater risk of miscarriage.

Also, the use of fertility drugs for stimulating egg production can cause severe side effects. You need to be carefully monitored while taking them.

Other risk associated with GIFT procedure is ectopic pregnancy, in which embryo implants in your fallopian tubes or abdominal cavity instead of the uterus.

ICSI And Fewer Male Births!

Recent studies stated that undergoing fertility treatments like ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) may decrease the birth rate of baby boys.

Previous studies stated that natural conception can lead to 105 baby boys out of 100 baby girls. This helps to balance the higher number of deaths among male fetuses and infants.

But according to the recent studies, the ratio of baby boys to girls is reversed with the people who take assisted reproductive technique such as ICSI.

This procedure is generally used to treat male factor infertility. ICSI involves injecting sperm from the father directly into eggs taken from the mother; if one or more embryos develop over the next few days, they are transferred to the mother's uterus.

The effect of fewer baby boys is observed when ICSI was performed by using blastocyst-stage embryos, in which embryos are matured a couple days longer than the traditional norm before they are transferred to the mother. It makes your doctor to transform fewer embryos to reduce the odds of having multiple births.

So, to prevent this harmful side effect, scientists suggested physicians to confine the use of ICSI to couple that are in extreme needs.

Exhaustive Physical Exercise And Women Infertility!

Recent studies showed that exhaustive physical exercise may increase the risk of infertility in women. Strenuous and frequent physical workouts may decrease women’s fertility.

Study proved that women who trained to the level of exhaustion and women who trained regularly were at higher risk of infertility. Women who did both are even at increased risk.

Women who trained to the point of exhaustion are at three fold higher risk of impaired fertility. Also, the study stated that moderate physical activity is only recommended for the people who are trying to conceive.

Also, researchers said that hard training can be a temporary cause of infertility. Researchers said that women who are searching for the natural ways to increase their fertility can consider various alternative treatment options such as, acupuncture, certain homeopathic remedies and proper diet habits.

Diet rich in vitamin C and E is essential to maintain good ovulation cycle. Beta-carotenes can also help in ovulation and to increase sperm count and motility in men.



What Increases The Risk Of Male Infertility?

There are various factors that can increase the risk of a man’s infertility. A man’s sperm can be affected by his overall health and lifestyle.

Here are few things that may reduce the health or number of sperm:

• Illegal usage of drugs


• Heavy consumption of alcohol


• Increased age, men older than 35 may have a gradual decline in fertility


• Usage of medicines for other illnesses


• Receiving chemotherapy or radiation treatment for cancer


• Cigarette smoking


• Other health problems like hormonal problems, mumps, or serious conditions like kidney disease


• Exposure to environmental toxins, including lead and pesticides


• Psychological disorders like emotional stress, anxiety, depression and social pressure


• Taking anabolic steroids


• Occupational exposure to pesticides, excessive heat and various other chemicals


• Medical conditions like Thyroid disorders, Disorders of adrenal glands, Diabetes, Disorders of pituitary gland, genetic diseases, Liver or kidney failure and HIV/AIDS


• Being overweight or too thin


• Prostate infections


• Celiac disease


• Defect or obstruction in the reproductive system (anarchism, cryptorchidism)


• Hormone dysfunction (caused by disorder in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis)


• Injury (e.g., testicular trauma)


• Undescended testicles
  

What Causes Abnormal Sperm Morphology?

Do you know what morphology is?

It is the term used to refer the size and shape of your sperm.

Sperm morphology is regularly conducted test as a part of standard semen analysis.

The World Health Organization says good quality semen should contain 60 percent normal sperm morphology.

That means that a semen sample can include up to 40 percent abnormal sperm and still be considered fine. If a person has more than 40 percent of abnormal cells, then this condition is called as teratospermia.

Every man produces some abnormal sperm, but the reason is not known. A normal man can produce 10 million to 50 million new sperm per day. Any lifestyle or eating habits can lead to abnormal sperm morphology.

The results of sperm morphology exam specify the percentage of sperm that look normal when the semen is observed under the microscope. If the test results in abnormal sperm morphology, then it can be a major cause of infertility.

Normally, sperm have an oval head and a long tail. For abnormal sperm, there can be either head or tail defect like: double or crooked tail, misshapen or large head. These irregularities can impair sperm ability to reach and fertilize an egg.

Sperm morphological abnormalities include:

• Micro cephalic Sperm - Small Sperm


• Macro cephalic Sperm - Large Sperm


• Tapered Sperm


• Amorphous sperm with midpiece and tail defect
  

Major causes of abnormal sperm morphology include:

• Infections


• High fever


• Usage of illegal drugs


• Alcohol consumption


• Congenital testicular abnormalities


• Varicocele – Enlargement of veins within the scrotum


• Toxin exposure causes reduced sperm motility


• Cigarette smoke causes abnormal morphology


• Organic solvents causes coiled tails
  

When you lower your exposure to these agents, abnormal morphology levels usually decrease. If there are any changes in the sperm morphology, it is best to repeat the test in four to six weeks to determine whether it is permanent or temporary.

Don’t get too worried if the semen analysis results in abnormal sperm morphology. There are things that can be done such as intrauterine insemination or IVF. Your doctor will know the best track of fertility treatments for your situation.


Sperm Agglutination – Sperm Stick To One Another

Sperm agglutination or clumping is a condition in the male reproductive system, in which sperm cells are attached to one another.

This condition is not be confused with other conditions where sperm sticks to other cells or objects.

Generally, sperm agglutination is determined by semen analysis. This condition occurs due to the reversal of vasectomy.

Also, it can be due to the inflammatory conditions like prostatitis, inflammation of the prostate.

Inflammatory conditions lead to a great increase in number of white blood cells in the semen thus causing the sperm to stick one another.

Apart from inflammatory conditions, there are some other conditions such as antisperm antibodies present in the semen cause the agglutination.

Sperm can stick to one another in various ways: from tail to tail, from head to head and middle to middle and also in combinations like head to tail. The extent of agglutination can vary from small groups to large amounts.

Most common effect of sperm agglutination is fertility problems. Sperm agglutination can interfere with the process of effectively reaching and fertilizing with the egg.

Fertility problems that are associated with sperm agglutination can be treated with procedures like in vitro fertilization and intrauterine insemination.

How Does Fibroids Lead To Infertility?

Fibroids are smooth muscle tumors of the uterus. They grow from the muscle cells of the uterus and are also called uterine leiomyomas, or myomas.

Fibroids are benign and are most commonly found in young women.

Uterine fibroids can cause infertility, but not in every woman. But, they can affect your fertility to a great extent.

Generally uterine fibroids are of three types, such as:

Subserosal fibroids: They develop on the outer lining of your uterus. They are less symptomatic or asymptomatic unless they become severe. They give your uterus a bumpy look.

These tumors can cause pelvic pain, cramping, frequent urination and back pain. If they become large enough, they can affect your kidneys and other surrounding organs.

These fibroids won’t cause any infertility issues, but when they become large; they can put pressure on your ovaries, fallopian tubes and inhibit their function.

Intramural fibroids: They develop in the muscles of your uterus. They grow in round shape and greatly vary in sizes from microscopic to massive. These fibroids cause your uterus to become enlarge.

Some of the symptoms of intramural fibroids include: cramping, menstrual bleeding, prolonged periods, back pain and pelvic pain. These fibroids won’t cause any noticeable symptoms. They can only be discovered while performing vaginal examination or during any infertility treatment.

These fibroids can cause problems when you are trying to conceive. Also, they are problematic during implantation and lead to miscarriage.

Submucous fibroids: These are very much linked with fertility. They develop inside of your uterus. They interfere with uterine lining development and placement, which can lead to miscarriage and problems while implantation.

These fibroids cause excessive bleeding and painful periods. They develop as a stack and can project from the stack into the uterus. If these tumors become large, your uterus may identify them as foreign substance and contract to eject it. If this is the case, you will experience severe pain like labor pains.

Fibroids can be recognized during regular checkup, but this is not always the case. Commonly, they are found during surgery or ultrasound scan. Severe fibroids require treatment or surgery for fibroid removal.

One of the surgical procedures is myomectomy, in which fibroids are removed one by one. This is the most common treatment for women who want to conceive. Before going to decide, talk with your infertility specialist about what treatments are suitable for you.



Nutritional Therapy For Infertile Couple!

For proper functioning of your body, a balanced diet is very much essential.

For some extent, supplements can also help to improve your fertility.

Deficiency of proteins and calories from undernourishment is a cause of infertility.

So, sufficient nutrition should be the basis for treating any kind of illness.

Here are some dietary and lifestyle recommendations for infertile couple:

• Stop taking illegal drugs and quit smoking.


• Avoid caffeine, alcohol and high sugar intake.


• Avoid taking foods with gluten and wheat protein.


• Avoid acidic foods like red meat and tea.


• Take whole foods that are high in vitamins and minerals as much as you can, because whole foods are essential for reproductive health.


• Take supplements containing vitamin E, which regulates the production of cervical mucus. Main sources of vitamin E include: nuts, eggs and vegetable oils. These foods protect your fatty tissues, which are essential to improve fertility.


• Increase the intake of fatty acids, as the intake of fatty acids stimulates the production of sex hormones. Main sources of fatty acids include: seeds, pulses, oily fish, fish liver oil, beans, and unrefined vegetable oils.


• Take sufficient vitamin A products


• Get regular exercise.


• Early recognition can help to avoid the food allergies.


• Vitamin B6 supplements can help to increase the levels of progesterone hormone in women with irregular or absent menstrual cycle.


• Consider supplements containing starflower oil, borage seed oil, linseed oil, blackcurrant oil and evening primrose oil.


• Take folic acid and vitamin B supplements as deficiency of these supplements can cause anemia, which is associated with infertility.


• Take sufficient selenium products, as deficiency of them can cause infertility in women.


• Bee pollen and royal jelly are extremely nutrient-rich bee products that help stimulate fertility.


• Take vitamin A and zinc because they correct any nutritional deficiencies in your body thus promoting some hormonal imbalances. Pumpkin seeds are the best sources of zinc.


• Extracts from animal adrenal glands or glandular can help to adjust the hormonal imbalances.


• Do relaxation exercises such as meditation, deep breathing, visualization, prayer, etc for 10-15 minutes everyday.


• Everyday drink at least 8 glasses of water.
  

Nutritionists recommend alkaline foods like peas, bean sprouts and milk to reduce acidity in the cervical mucus as it can inhibit sperm.

7 Most Common Infertility Tests!

Infertility tests are performed to help you find out why you can’t become pregnant.

The tests help to find whether the problem is with the woman, man or both.

Generally, the tests include blood tests, semen analysis, physical examination and other special procedures.

The most common procedures include:

• Hysterosalpingogram


• Sonohysterogram


• Hysteroscopy


• Laparoscopy


• Endometrial biopsy


• Dilation & curettage


• Post-Coital Test
  

1. Hysterosalpingogram: Also known as uterosalpingography, is an X-ray examination of a woman’s uterus and fallopian tubes. This test uses a special type of X-ray called fluoroscopy and a contrast material. This helps your physician to diagnose and treat medical conditions.

2. Sonohysterogram: Also known as hysterosonogram, is an office based ultrasound procedure that can determine if there are abnormalities inside the uterus that might interfere with pregnancy.

It is important to have an evalaution of the uterine cavity with a sonohysterogram or other method before proceeding with an IVF cycle. This test involves no radiation, and there are very few risks from the procedure.

3. Hysteroscopy: A hysteroscopy is a procedure that allows your surgeon to look inside your womb (uterus) using a narrow tube-like telescopic camera called a hysteroscope. t's carefully passed through the vagina and cervix (neck of the womb) and into your womb.

Also, this procedure helps to find the cause of symptoms like vaginal bleeding or discharge. Also, conditions like polyps and fibroids, heavy periods and early signs of womb cancer.

4. Laparoscopy: This method is used to observe your ovaries, peritoneal cavity, uterus and outside of your fallopian tubes. This procedure is used to look for endometriosis, adhesions and malformations. Before undergoing the procedure, your physician gives you anesthesia.

The doctor will then insert a scope through a small incision inside the navel or just below it to view the outside of the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes.

5. Endometrial biopsy: This is a procedure in which a tissue sample is taken from the lining of the uterus (endometrium), and is checked under a microscope for any abnormal cells or signs of cancer. This procedure may be done with or without anesthesia.

Your health care provider will do a pelvic examination, and will insert an instrument into the vagina to hold it open and see the cervix.

6. Dilation & curettage: Also called as D & C, is the procedure in which your doctor removes tissue from the inside of your uterus. This procedure is used to diagnose or treat various uterine conditions, such as heavy bleeding and clearing the uterine lining after abortion or miscarriage.

In this procedure, your doctor dilates and expands your cervix. A surgical instrument called a curette is then inserted into your uterus to remove tissue. Curettes used in a dilation and curettage can be sharp or can use suction.

7. Post-Coital Test: This test involves an examination of the mucus around the cervix shortly after intercourse has taken place. It is like having a smear test, and under the microscope interactions between the sperms and cervical mucus are analyzed.



Digital Basal Thermometer To Predict Ovulation!

Basal body temperature (BBT) is the temperature that is taken immediately in the morning upon awakening.

Monitoring your basal body temperature is useful and an inexpensive approach for determining the length of your menstrual cycle.

There are various kinds of BBT thermometers available but a digital basal thermometer is your best bet.

Most basal thermometers come with a blank basal body temperature chart that you can use. You can also download a free basal body temperature chart online to use.

For couple, who are trying to conceive, monitoring their BBT and noticing various other signs of fertility such as changes in cervical mucus and also general physical changes, done over various cycles, will greatly help them for determining the pattern and to identify your fertile period.

How to use digital basal thermometer?

• Measure your BBT early in the morning.


• It is best to take the temperature at as close to the same time each day as possible.


• Using the digital basal thermometer after 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep can give you accurate results.


• Make note of BBT everyday.


• You can use digital basal thermometer vaginally, orally or rectally.


• Everyday, place the thermometer in the same way.


• You will observe a great fall in BBT one to two days prior to ovulation. You can use the chart that comes along with the kit to identify whether there is a fall in your temperature or not.


• Follow this for several cycles to know the pattern. It is best to track your BBT two months prior to use ovulation test kits. This can greatly helps to determine the length of your menstrual cycle.


• If you observe a drop in your basal temperature, have sex to get pregnant.
  

Digital Basal Thermometer provides readings with accuracy within 1/10th of a degree. It is up to four times faster than a glass basal thermometer and safer, too.

Basal thermometer features a beeper to indicate peak temperature reading, large, easy to read digital display, memory recall of last reading and is waterproof. It includes a clear storage case, replaceable 15V battery and a free ovulation chart.



What Are The Most Fertile Days For Women?

Every woman should have an idea about when she is able to fertile or ovulating.

Knowing your fertile days can save an enormous amount of anxiety and worry and also control the risk of unwanted pregnancy.

Everyone should know the facts that there is only certain period during your monthly cycle during which you are fertile or can get pregnant. So, it is essential to know when this time is.

Everybody can clearly know when fertility is approaching and happening.

Your body gives clear clues about this. A woman is said to be fertile when ovulation happens and for some days prior to ovulation, you will observe cervical mucus.

Generally ovulation occurs during mid cycle that is precisely 14 days before the onset of bleeding. But, most of you mistaken it as the day 14 of your menstrual cycle. Typically, ovulation occurs within day 11 to day 21 of your menstrual cycle.

Sometimes, ovulation can be disturbed with various factors like travel, sickness, stress, alcohol, etc, which makes counting the period difficult.

Sometimes, ovulation can also occur during the natal lunar phase. This phase can occur at any time throughout the menstrual cycle, including before, during, and after your menstrual period.

Natal lunar fertile time varies from woman to woman. Also, this phase can be calculated based on your birth data that is “with which phase of the moon you were born under”. Here is the data, which gives you an idea on the physical and emotional symptoms that you will experience during your menstrual cycle.

Here the time frame I have mentioned is very approximate, so don’t worry if your cycle is not the same. Apart from these symptoms, if you notice any other signs and symptoms, let me know. So that I can add them to the list.

Week 1 from first day of bleeding: Along with bleeding various other symptoms that you experience will greatly vary from individual to individual.

Generally, during the post bleeding phase, you will notice an increase in your energy and vitality. Your appetite and sleep patterns become normal and you may notice absence of vaginal mucus.

Week 2: When ovulation is approaching, your vaginal mucus becomes more slippery, wet and white

Week 3 Premenstrual phase right after the ovulation: You will observe a great decrease in mucus production, and also mucus becomes drier and thicker. You mood becomes normal.

Week 4 Premenstrual Phase: This is the time to start premenstrual symptoms. That range from headaches, bloating, insomnia, food cravings, and cramps. You energy levels will greatly decrease and libido may also increase.



Is Infertility A Woman’s Problem Only?

No, infertility is not always a woman’s problem. Men and women can have similar problems that cause infertility, both are affected almost equally.

More than 1 out of 10 couples experience infertility.

It is estimated that 6.1 people throughout the United States are infertile.

Conception and bringing a pregnancy to term are both very complicated and both greatly depend upon a variety of factors.

Both of them are not only dependent on the man’s ability to produce healthy and viable sperm, but also they both depend on the woman’s ability to produce healthy eggs.

Also, they are strongly dependent on the unblocked fallopian tubes to ensure the sperm to meet the egg.

One more important fact is the ability of the sperm to penetrate and meet the egg for fertilization to occur.

Lastly, two factors that ensure a healthy conception are the ability of the fertilized egg to implant into the uterus and the ability of the embryo to develop as it is supposed to do.

One third of women’s problems are responsible for infertility, another one third is due to male problems and the remaining are due to a mixture of male and female problems or may be due to some unknown causes.

It is a myth that infertility is always a woman’s problem. About 80% of the cases with a diagnosed cause, about half are due to male problems, such as azoospermia, a condition that produces no sperm, oligospermia, a condition that causes low sperm count, increased testicular abnormalities, and a decreased reach of climax.

For women, the most common causes of infertility include endometriosis, tubal blockages, and waiting until later in life to try to get pregnant.

An estimated 20 percent of infertility cases are connected to unknown causes. Regardless of where the source of infertility lies, this is a problem that negatively impacts both partners.



How To Test Male Infertility?

Male infertility testing is simple and routine one. Approximately 50% of infertility cases are due to male infertility.

In order to determine the male infertility factor, testing is very essential.

Semen analysis is the most common procedure used to determine male infertility factor.

Your sperm is collected into a specimen jar and tested under a microscope to evaluate the shape, count, mobility and appearance.

While evaluating the sperm count, your technician checks whether your sperm concentration is above or below 20 million sperm cells per milliliter of ejaculation fluid.

If the test results in low sperm count, then the specialist recommends for testing blood testosterone levels, LH, FSH and prolactin levels.

Sometimes, urine analysis is recommended for testing white blood cells that indicate an infection. If the specialist finds sperm in the urine, then it is a problem with your ejaculation and is known as retrograde ejaculation.

If all the above tests analysis is normal, then your specialist recommends tests for your partner before considering further evaluation of the man.

Here are some infertility tests with a brief description:

Hemizona assay: This laboratory test includes cutting a non-usable human egg into half. The aim of this procedure is to observe whether the sperm can enter into the outermost protecting layer of the egg.

Testicular biopsy: In this test, a piece of tissue is taken from the tubules in your testes and is tested to find out whether you are producing healthy sperm or not.

Ultrasonography: This test is used to find any damages or blockages in your reproductive tract, including seminal vesicles, ejaculatory ducts and prostate.

Sperm agglutination: This laboratory test helps to find whether the sperm are clumping together or not. Clumping stops the sperm from flowing the cervical mucus.

Acrosome recreation: It helps to determine whether the sperm heads can undergo through the chemical changes that are essential to dissolve an egg’s tough outer shell.

Vasography: It is an X-ray exam used to determine any blockages or leakages in the vas deferens.

Sperm penetration assay: It uses hamster eggs in order to assess your sperm ability to penetrate into the egg. But, it is a rarely used procedure.

Hypo-osmotic swelling: It uses a special type of salt and sugar solution to detect your sperm’s tail and its ability to penetrate into the egg. The healthy sperm’s tails gently swell in the solution, while abnormal or dead sperm can’t swell.



Benefits Of Testicular Self-Examination!

Testicular self-examination (TSE) is one of the best ways to maintain good sexual health. No need of doctor’s consultation, you can test the testicles at your home only. Testicular self-examination helps to find any unusual lumps or bumps, which can be an indication of testicular cancer.

TSE is a risk-free and pain-free way to check your testes for potential cancers and various other problems.

Testicular cancer is the most common solid tumor found in men between the ages of 20-34 years. If the condition is detected and treated in early stages, it is almost 100% curable. If undetected, it can spread to the lungs and lymph nodes.

Usually, the tumors are detected on one side, but 2-3% of men can get them on both the sides. So, it is essential to do a testicular self-examination every month. It makes you to become familiar with the normal size and shape of your testicles. Then you can easily identify when you feel something different or abnormal.

How to perform testicular self-examination?

• You can do TSE during morning or night after having hot shower. After having the bath, the scrotum is most relaxed, so that it will be easier for you to examine the testicles.


• It is best to examine one testicle at a time. With the help of your hands, gently roll the testicle between the fingers. Keep the thumbs on top of the testicle and then rotate it between the fingers.


• During the process, you can feel the epididymis, which is the sperm carrying tube. It feels like soft, tender and a rope like structure. You can locate the epididymis at the top of the back part of each testicle. Remember that it is a normal lump.


• You should know the fact that one testicle is larger than the other. But it is not for all men and this is also normal.


• While examining the testicles, observe any lumps or bumps along the sides or front. Lumps can be as small as a piece of rice or pea.


• If you notice lumps, swelling or any variations in the color or size of your testicles, or any pain in groin area, then immediately consult your doctor.

During the testicular self-examination, observe any of the below mentioned symptoms because they indicate testicular cancer.

• Change in the consistency of the testicles


• Heavy feeling in your testes


• Tenderness or swelling of the breast


• Pain in your testicles


• Lump in the testicles


• Testicle enlargement


• Hardening, swelling or painful inguinal lymph nodes
  

Laparoscopy To Determine The Infertility Cause!

Laparoscopy is the procedure that evaluates the condition outside of the uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes.

Laparoscopy procedure checks for the existence or absence of adhesions, scar tissue, endometriosis, fibroid tumors and various other conditions that lead to infertility.

How is laparoscopy beneficial for infertile women?

If any of the above mentioned conditions are recognized, then they can be corrected with operative laparoscopy.

This procedure includes inserting instruments through the ports in the scope and through additional, narrow (5 mm) ports, which are placed at the top of the pubic hair line in the lower abdomen.

Usually this procedure is performed by a reproductive specialist as a surgical treatment. It is performed during diagnostic evaluation. This may reduce or eliminate the need for secondary laparoscopy. Endometriosis or adhesions if present can be treated during the procedure only.

The entire laparoscopic treatment takes about an hour and the patients are released from the hospital within three to four hours after the surgery.

When is laparoscopy performed?

If your doctor suspects any cause of infertility, then this procedure is suggested. Normally, laparoscopy is performed only after undergoing other infertility tests. If you have pelvic pain, which is a major symptom of PID or endometriosis, then laparoscopy is performed to determine the cause of pain. Sometimes, laparoscopy surgery can also be performed in cases of ectopic pregnancy.

How is laparoscopy performed?

Usually it is done in a hospital under anesthesia. Well before the surgery, your doctor will tell you about the surgery. The surgery needs you to not to eat or drink for about 8 hours before undergoing the surgery. You are suggested to take antibiotics before the surgery.

After administering the anesthesia, a small cut is made around your belly button. A needle is inserted through the cut to fill carbon dioxide gas in your abdomen. It allows your doctor to observe the inner organs and move the surgical instruments.

After introducing carbon dioxide gas, laparoscope is inserted through the cut to observe the pelvic organs.

How will I feel during and after the surgery?

During the procedure, you won’t feel any pain as you are under the effects of anesthesia. After completing the procedure, you will experience sore throat, which is caused by a tube inserted at that area for free breathing during the surgery.

You may feel sore at the area of surgery and you feel tender abdomen, particularly when your doctor removes lot of scar tissues. Bloating and sharp pains at your shoulder, but it goes away in few days.