Reproductive surgery

Some conditions affecting the fallopian tubes, ovaries or uterus can be corrected with minimally invasive surgery, improving the chance of pregnancy naturally or with fertility treatment.

Laparoscopic surgery

Laparoscopy uses a thin camera and small instruments passed through tiny incisions in the abdomen. It can treat:

• Adhesions. Scar tissue around the ovaries and fallopian tubes can be removed.
• Blocked tubes. Sometimes blocked fallopian tubes can be opened and their function restored.
• Reversal of tubal sterilization. Young women who had their tubes tied can choose between IVF and laparoscopic surgery to reconnect the fallopian tubes, when that’s feasible.
• Endometriosis. Removing endometriosis from the lining of the pelvis can reduce pelvic pain and improve the odds of pregnancy.
• Ovarian cysts. Cysts that don’t go away can be removed. Great care is taken not to damage the surrounding ovarian tissue.
• Hydrosalpinx. A dilated, blocked fallopian tube can leak fluid into the uterus and prevent pregnancy, so it should be removed before IVF.
• Fibroids. In select women, large fibroids that distort the uterus can be removed laparoscopically.

Hysteroscopic surgery

Hysteroscopy uses a thin scope passed through the cervix into the uterus, with no incisions. It can treat:

• Uterine polyps. Polyps can prevent embryos from implanting and should be removed before fertility treatment.
• Fibroids. Small fibroids that bulge into the uterine cavity can be removed.
• Intrauterine scarring (Asherman syndrome). Scarring from a previous scraping of the uterine cavity can be precisely cut, restoring a normal cavity and allowing a healthy lining to regrow.
• Uterine septum. A septum is a wall dividing the middle of the uterus that may prevent pregnancy or lead to miscarriage. It can be removed without major surgery.
• Tubal cannulation. A catheter is passed through the scope into the fallopian tube to open it.

Learn more about the conditions these procedures treat in female factor infertility.

This article is general information, not medical advice. Every situation is different, so talk with your doctor about yours.