Can we do IVF after hysterectomy?
Hysterectomy is a common gynecological operation, which is used to treat a series of gynecological diseases, such as hysteromyoma, uterine prolapse, endometriosis, etc. However, for some women who are about to or have lost their uterus, they may ask: Can IVF be carried out after hysterectomy?
Aspect 1: Concept and process of IVF
In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a kind of assisted reproduction technology, which is used to solve the problem of infertility caused by various reasons. The basic process includes:
(1) Hormone therapy: Stimulate the ovary to expel multiple eggs by injecting hormone.
(2) Egg collection: After the ovary develops to a certain extent, the eggs are collected through simple surgery.
(3) Sperm extraction: The semen provided by the man is processed to obtain high-quality sperm.
(4) In vitro fertilization: fertilize eggs and sperm in an in vitro culture dish.
(5) Embryo transfer: select high-quality embryos to transfer to the uterus, waiting for the pregnancy results.
Aspect 2: IVF after hysterectomy may
For women who have lost their uterus, it may be difficult to have children of their own. However, there is still a chance to achieve IVF after hysterectomy, but the way is different from natural pregnancy.
There are two common methods for embryo transfer:
(1) Endometrial transplantation: Transfer an in vitro fertilized embryo into the uterus of another woman. This requires a healthy woman who will bear the burden of embryo gestation and delivery.
(2) Uterine transplantation: Uterine transplantation is a complicated and delicate operation, which is suitable for women who lose their uterus but still retain their ovaries. The new donor uterus was transplanted into the recipient, and the IVF operation was performed after recovery.
Aspect 3: Successful cases of uterine transplantation
Since the first successful implementation of uterine transplantation in a Stockholm hospital in 2014, it has been widely used worldwide. Among them, a study in 2017 said that the Children's Hospital carried out the first uterine transplantation operation in the United States and successfully transplanted the donor's uterus to a woman who lost her uterus. Later, the woman successfully became pregnant and gave birth, becoming the first woman in the world to give birth to a child through uterine transplantation.
The success of uterine transplantation provides a glimmer of hope for women who lose their uterus but still retain their ovaries, and opens a new window for the realization of IVF.
Aspect 4: risks and considerations of IVF
Whether it is endometrial transplantation or uterine transplantation, IVF has certain risks and considerations. The risk of surgery, immune rejection, and long-term use of anti rejection drugs after surgery should be carefully considered.
In addition, IVF also needs to undergo a series of medical procedures, including hormone therapy, egg retrieval surgery, embryo transfer, etc. These processes may have a certain impact on the female body. Before deciding to carry out IVF, women should fully understand the possible risks and make decisions under the guidance of professional doctors.
Summary:
Although natural pregnancy cannot be carried out after hysterectomy, women who have lost their uterus still have the opportunity to realize their reproductive dreams through IVF technology. Through endometrium transplantation or uterine transplantation, women can transfer embryos that have undergone in vitro fertilization to healthy people or newly transplanted uterus, waiting for the success of pregnancy. Although IVF has certain risks and considerations, the development of uterine transplantation technology enables women who have lost their uterus to obtain more reproductive options.
