QuestionQUESTION: History:
I conceived after infertility treatment (IUI).I was 13 weeks Pregnant, when in the routine NT scan showed congenital anomalies in the fetus, and we had to terminate the pregnancy. After 10 days of the abortion, I experienced severe pain in the abdomen, and my doctor initially did a D&C and when the pain didn't subside even after that, the doctor did a laproscopy surgery to check the ovaries.
The left ovary was severely twisted, which was removed and the right one had a big cyst. The cyst and the part of right ovary was removed and the good looking part of right ovary was left behind. The biopsy report of the cysts suggest that the left ovarian cyst was a simple cyst and the right one was suggestive of Serous Cystadenoma.
Questions:
1) Its been more than a month since the surgery now, 34 days to be precise. I haven't had my menstrual period yet. Is this normal or a cause of concern which needs attention
2) Will there be any problems for me to concieve in future
ANSWER: Dear Deepa,
Sometimes women who undergo an oopherectomy (removal of the ovary) can experience a hormonal imbalance and, in effect, a temporary surgical menopause for a bit of time. But usually if you still have a functioning ovary, it will eventually pick up the slack of the missing ovary (hormonally) and your cycle will begin to straighten out.
If you have one functioning ovary and Fallopian tube on the same side, your chances of conception should still be nearly the same as before. If the Fallopian tube and remaining ovary are both on the same side, another thing to look for is a regular period. If a woman continues to menstruate on a regular basis, this tends to be a good sign that the woman is ovulating and can get pregnant. Conversely, if periods are irregular or have stopped altogether this may signify that no ovulation is occurring, or that it is occurring on a very infrequent basis. But remember - it can take awhile for that remaining ovary to really get going after the surgery trauma and it will very much depend upon how much of that remaining ovary they needed to take. The remaining ovary may have scarring or the fallopian tube may be scarred, inhibiting the passage of an egg, which would obviously then affect your fertility chances.
I would suggest that if you do not have a period in the next 2-4 weeks, you might contact your doctor to determine whether he/she chooses to intervene further.
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.
Brenda
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks Brenda, The answer was crisp and clear to the dot.
Further, If I don't get the period in the 2-4 weeks time, what will be the next course of action the doctor may take?
And if the surgery has effected the system so much that I am not ovulating, then is there any other treatment/procedure to increase my chances of conceiving?
AnswerDear Deepa,
I cannot say what the doctor may or may not want to do if periods do not resume after 4 weeks time. They may want to wait a bit longer to see if that remaining ovary will kick into gear, they may want to run some blood tests to check hormone levels; it really is doctor-dependent. Down the road, if they do determine that the remaining ovary has been affected enough that it is not ovulating, there may or may not be anything that can be done to stimulate ovulation. If that the Fallopian tube is scarred or blocked at all, inhibiting passage of an egg, they may potentially be able to surgically clear it - depending upon how much damage there would be.
Hopefully, this is just a matter of time and you will begin to ovulate and your cycles will resume after a bit longer. Try to think positive and give your body a little time to heal. :-)
Sorry about the day delay in answering this time - I am SO sick. I hope that helps. Be well.
Brenda
