I was born with an abnormal uterus. Could this affect my fertility? i-checksum="3902" ends

Authors

Grimbizis GF. Camus M. Tarlatzis BC. Bontis JN. Devroey P.

Institution:

G.F. Grimbizis, Infertility/IVF "center", Geniki Kliniki, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 2 Gravias Str., Thessaloniki 546 45; Greece. E-Mail: grimbi@med. Auth.gr.

Title

Clinical implications of uterine malformations and hysteroscopic treatment results. (2001-3476)

Source:

Human Reproduction Update. Vol 7(2) (pp61-174), 2001.

Abstract:

Uterine malformations consist of a group of miscellaneous congenital anomalies of the female genital system. Their mean prevalence in the general population and in the population of fertile women is ~4.3%, in infertile patients ~3.5% and in patients with recurrent pregnancy losses ~13%. Septate uterus is the commonest uterine anomaly with a mean incidence of ~35% followed by bicornuate uterus (~25%) and arcuate uterus (~20%). It seems that malformed uterus and especially septate uterus is not an infertility factor in itself. However, it may have a part in the delayed natural conception of women with mainly secondary infertility. On the other hand, patients with uterine malformations seem to have an impaired pregnancy outcome even as early as their first pregnancy. Overall term delivery rates in patients with untreated uterine malformations are only ~50% and obstetric complications are more frequent. Unicornuate and didelphys uterus have term delivery rates of ~45%, and the pregnancy outcome of patients with untreated bicornuate and septate uterus is also poor with term delivery rates of only ~40%. Arcuate uterus is associated with a slightly better but still impaired pregnancy outcome with term delivery rates of ~65%. Women who have undergone hysteroscopic septum resection and have been reported in the different series comprise a highly selected group of symptomatic patients with term delivery and live birth rates of only ~5%. Hysteroscopic treatment seems to restore an almost normal prognosis for the outcome of their pregnancies with term delivery rates of ~75% and live birth rates of ~85%. It seems, therefore, that hysteroscopic septum resection can be applied as a therapeutic procedure in cases of symptomatic patients but also as a prophylactic procedure in asymptomatic patients in order to improve their chances for a successful delivery.

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1 What is infertility?

2 How prevalent are infertility problems?

3 What are the main causes of infertility?

4 What are the objectives of our infertility investigations?

5 Have there been any noticeable changes in fertility requirements in recent years?

6  What is the effect of our age on fertility?

7 I smoke cigarettes. Can this have an effect on my fertility?

8 Does my weight influence fertility?

8A Obesity! How can I lose weight?

9 I have fibroids. Could these reduce my fertility?

10 I have been told that my womb has an abnormal shape and that was the way that I was born. Could this reduce my fertility?

11 I have endometriosis. Could this reduce my fertility?

12 I have been told that I have cervicitis or a cervical ectopy (erosion). Could this impair my fertility?

13 My doctor tells me that my womb is retroverted (tilts backwards). Could this reduce my fertility?

14 I have had an ectopic pregnancy. Does this affect my future fertility?

15  We are worried that we may have a fertility problem. What should we do?

16 How will our doctor be able to identify the cause of our infertility?

17 How can we tell if I am releasing my eggs (ovulating)?

18 Investigations have shown that I have a problem releasing my eggs (anovulation). What could be the cause of this?

19 How important are my Fallopian tubes in fertility?

20 How can we tell if my Fallopian tubes are functioning?

21a What are the causes of male factor infertility?

21 How can we assess male fertility?

22  What is the purpose of a post-coital test (PCT)?

23 We have had our infertility investigations and our problem remains unexplained. How can this be?

24 What are our chances of achieving a pregnancy?

25 Where can I obtain more information?

26 Could we have some recommended infertility support groups?

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