QuestionHi,
I'm a 36 year old who had alot of Xrays as a teenager for a chronic back problem. I had 2 CT's and a myleogram plus probably 50 lumbar xrays. I also had an IVP for ? nephritis. i have never been pregnant and i am currently TTc with my partner for 3 months. I know this is not a long time but my ex husband and I tried for 2 years (he had low sperm count, all my test came back ok). Would the history of Xray exposure have damaged my eggs? I have been told i would be more likely to miscarry? At this stage just getting pregnant seems like a hurdle!
Thanks for any help in answering this!
Claire, Ireland
AnswerHello Claire from Ireland,
You certainly have had a lot of radiation exposure, and certainly high doses of radiation, such as that achieved with radiation therapy, can damage the eggs to the point of making them infertile. One cannot be sure of that at this time. We have no way of testing for egg quality.
But you have mentioned two other problems that affect your fertility as well. You stated that your husband has a low sperm count, which more than just a number, may indicate poor sperm function. Also, you are 36 years old and there is a natural decline in fertility with age due to declining egg quality. The more problems you add to the pot, the lower the chances of natural pregnancy.
In your case, you might want to proceed directly to a fertility specialist and consider an more aggressive treatment plan to overcome all of these obstacles. IVF with ICSI would be the treatment of choice.
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
