QuestionDr., I was wondering in your experience if you heard of anyone having the same problem I have and gotten pregnant. I was diagnosed with complex hyperplasia with Atypia. My oncologist starting me on Megace. I also take Levotherixine. I am going to see my doctor on January 26 for a biopsy. My last biopsy the doctor told me that the medicine is working.An she was able to see my cervix clearly. I am overweight. 300lbs. I know my weight is contributing to all this. My question: in you experience did you hear of anyone getting pregnant after treatment? I am also 39 years old, and never gotten pregnant before. I am trying to lose weight but I feel like my biological clock
is ticking. My doctor never once mentioned that my weight is a factor I read it online.
Please advise.
AnswerHello Sally from the U.S.,
First, the complex hyperplasia is a pre-cancerous condition so it has to be treated first. Once this is adequately treated, as confirmed by repeat biopsy, then you can proceed to trying for pregnancy. The treatment of this should not inhibit your chances of pregnancy.
In terms of your fertility, there are several issues here, which you probably have not been adequately counseled on. First, you have irregular menstrual cycles which means that your ovaries are not functioning correctly. This lead to a buildup of the endometrial lining and conversion of the cells to hyperplasia (thickened endometrial lining) and atypia (abnormal cells). This ovulatory dysfunction needs to be treated with fertility medication in order to induce your ovaries to ovulate normally.
Secondly, the excessive weight is contributing to this problem as well. It has been shown that excessive weight can cause ovarian dysfunction and increased hormone production. Fat cells lead to cholesterol formation which is the basic chemical structure for hormones. Reduction of weight in some women does lead to normal ovarian function and resultant pregnancy. In addition, at your current weight, you would not be a candidate for IVF, if needed, in most centers.
Thirdly, your age plays a major role in your fertility. As you realize, there is a biologic clock. What this means is that your eggs, which you were born with, are getting older and less viable. As a result, the natural pregnancy rates decrease. The optimal treatment with all these findings, including your age, is to proceed with IVF but you would have to reduce a signficant amount of weight in order to be a candidate for this in most clinics. In the meantime, I would not waste more time waiting for a natual pregnancy to occur. You may lose your window of opportunity. If there is any reason for you to lose weight and proceed with IVF, having a baby is an excellent reason and incentive.
Good Luck,
Edward J. Ramirez, M.D., FACOG
Executive Medical Director
The Fertility and Gynecology Center
Monterey Bay IVF Program
www.montereybayivf.com
Monterey, California, U.S.A.
for additional information check out my blog at http://womenshealthandfertility.blogspot.com check me out on twitter with me at @montereybayivf and facebook @montereybayivf
