You may have some questions about ovarian cysts, particularly if you are a woman in your childbearing years, because these cysts are more common among younger women.  Regardless of whether you’ve had a tubal ligation, a tubal reversal, or no surgery at all, these cysts are common findings during your physical exam or ultrasound.  Ovarian cysts are common and usually occur as a result of the normal monthly fluctuations in hormones in premenopausal women.  Since a tubal ligation reversal does not stop this hormone cycle, a tubal reversal will not stop these cysts from occurring. (more…)

In the past, ultrasound for infertility was done by placing a transducer on the abdomen.  This required a full bladder for greater accuracy so that the sound waves could be transmitted into the abdomen and pelvis.  However, the standard ultrasound technique used for infertility is now the vaginal, or endovaginal, ultrasound.  The procedure is much more advanced. A long, thin probe is inserted into the vagina. This probe is used for imaging the pelvic organs.  The pictures generated from a vaginal ultrasound are sharper and clearer because having the probe inside of the vagina allows the probe to get much closer to the pelvic structures. (more…)

Estrogen, the primary female hormone used by a women’s body, depends primarily on ovarian follices for production.  Once there are no ovarian follicles for egg release, the level of estrogen in the body will start to fall.  Because of decreasing ovarian follicles, after a tubal reversal it is important to monitor the ovarian follicles to improve the likelihood of a pregnancy.  (more…)

Why is the diagnosis important?

The search for a diagnosis to explain ovarian cysts should be done with complete awareness of all of the possibilities.  Ovarian cysts can result from a devastating process such as ovarian cancer, or may be simply normal, enlarged follicles in a young patient who is ovulating. The reason for the cyst(s) must be determined in order to provide appropriate medical care. (more…)

Female fertility is controlled by reproductive hormones. An imbalance in these may cause an inability to ovulate (release an egg) called anovulation.  Anovulation may lead to symptoms of a hormonal imbalance, or possibly a woman may not ovulate due to a hormonal imbalance.  This cyclic balance between hormones is needed for fertility in women. (more…)

About 20-25% of all cases of infertility are related to tubal factor infertility. Tubal factor infertility may be due to one or more of the following reasons:

1. Completely blocked fallopian tubes, either one or both, by scar tissue inside the tube or by prior surgery such as tubal ligation
2. Tubal scarring without blockage of the tube but with damage to the cells that line the inside of the fallopian tube
3. A disturbance in the architecture of the tube such as with a hydrosalpinx (water-filled tube) or scar tissue outside of the tube which distorts the tube (more…)

The chances of conceiving after having a tubal reversal are considerably better than with IVF, with a 70 to 80% safe success rate for those women who are under 40 years of age.  Most women are able to conceive naturally within a year of their surgery. (more…)

Once you have entered menopause, you will find yourself free of most of the symptoms of pre and peri-menopause, particularly the menstrual problems i.e. irregularity, heavy flow etc. Not only that, but you may even find yourself more energetic and present-minded than in past 5-6 years during peri-menopause. (more…)

Menopause is still considered a taboo subject and is not open to public discussions. Women find it easier to rely on word of mouth than consulting an authority on the subject. Some even look at menopause as a dreaded evil. (more…)

Understanding your normal physiology

There are numerous popular fads regarding menopause. Some, like getting a tubal reversal after 5 years of tubal ligation can induce menopause, are absurd, while others, such as hot flashes, are certainly true. In order to understand this and pick the truths from the myths, you need to go a bit deeper into the physiology of normal menopause. (more…)