Women's Health Community

Dear An: Let's look at the chances of pregnancy after a bilateral tubal ligation (BTL) first, OK? The results of micro-surgical reversal of BTL was studied in 1,100 Korean woman (Kim, 1997). The majority of women had been sterilized by cautery/burning of their tubes. The average time between BTL and request for reversal was 4.25 years. The estimated success in restoring more normal anatomy was 88% with a pregnancy rate of 55%. Of those that did conceive, about 72% delivered a child. Surprisingly, there was no difference in pregnancy rates between the different types of BTL, nor between women whose reversal was much later and those that tried reversal close to sterilization.The best pregnancy rates occurred in the younger women, and among those who had longer sections of healthy tube to sew together.

Women trying for a surgical reversal of their BTL were compared to women opting to use IVF instead (Boeckxstaens, 2007). After 72 months the delivery rates were 59.5% for the reversal group and 52% for the IVF group. One again younger women fared better as those aged less than 37 years had a delivery rate of 72.2% after reversal surgery, whilst the older women had a 36.6% delivery rate. For those women choosing IVF, delivery rates were very similar for younger and older women (52% vs 51%).

An_246380, you mentioned that you also have a known history of endometriosis. Endometriosis, by itself, can decrease fertility via inflammation chemicals inside the pelvis and the development of adhesions (filmy bands of scar tissue which web together the ovaries and tubes). So endo would make it more difficult to conceive even if a tubal was not present.

Lastly, your current age (younger women are more fertile), and pattern of ovulations (regular ovulations are better) can impact fertility. Given the complexity of your GYN history I would urge you to make a consult appointment with a GYN or fertility MD for the best answers to your important questions.

Yours,
Jane

Thanks. Thats helpful. Not only do I have the past endometriosis and BTL against me but also Hypothyroidism and early menopausal symptoms. I am on soy isoflavones since January for the early meno symptoms. (just the hot flashes). I will be 38 in September. I'm grateful for the kids I do have, Even though I would like more, I believe God gave me what he wanted me to have. Thank you for your helpful info. It did shed mroe light for me.