Tubal Reversal After 40 – IVF Benefits
Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center specializes in tubal ligation reversal and surgery to repair blocked fallopian tubes.
We want our patients to be well informed, and we have started this series for women over the age of 40 who have had a tubal ligation and want to become pregnant again. The information contained in this series may be helpful to all women considering the alternative treatments of tubal reversal or IVF.
The first article of this series is Tubal Ligation Reversal After the Age of 40|Introduction.
IVF Overview
IVF is a sophisticated medical treatment designed to bypass the natural environment for conception (fallopian tubes). The previous article Tubal Reversal After 40 – IVF Overview provides an overview of the process of IVF, egg retrieval, and superovulation with intrauterine insemination (IUI).
IVF for Unexplained Infertility
Some couples do not have a known reason for not being able to become pregnant. This is called unexplained infertility. IVF allows egg and sperm to join together and start growing in a controlled, monitored environment.
IVF for Severe Fallopian Tube Disease
Some women have extensively damaged fallopian tubes from pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or from severe intra-abdominal infections. IVF is designed to bypass the tubes and allow conception to occur outside the body. The fertilized egg is then introduced inside the uterus in the hope of pregnancy.
IVF after Chemotherapy
IVF allows women who are being treated for cancer with chemotherapy to be able to have children. Chemotherapy can destroy or damage the ovarian eggs. Prior to undergoing chemotherapy treatment, some women may elect to have eggs harvested, frozen, and saved for possible subsequent attempts to have a child after the cancer treatment is completed.
IVF to Overcome Low Sperm Count
When sperm are defective or counts are exteremely low, IVF can be used to become pregnant. IVF can work for these conditions because sperm are placed directly next to the egg, and, in some cases, sperm are injected into the egg (ICSI) to allow pregnancy to occur.
IVF to Overcome Absent Ovaries
IVF can be used for a woman without ovaries. In these cases, eggs must be donated from another woman for this unique situation.
IVF to Overcome Absent Uterus
IVF treatment can allow a woman to have a child if she does not have a uterus. In this situation, the eggs are harvested from the patient’s ovaries and are placed inside another woman’s uterus (gestational carrier). This treatment has multiple legal implications that may vary from state to state and may require the birth mother (the gestational carrier) giving up the baby for adoption by the egg donor and her husband.
IVF to Overcome Advanced Maternal Age
IVF can be used to allow an older, peri-menopausal or even post-menopausal woman to become pregnant. To obtain this reproductive advantage, donated eggs (eggs from a younger woman) must be used. We will discuss IVF pregnancy rates as they relate to age later in this series.
IVF in Summary
IVF has a well-established place in the treatment of infertility. IVF can be a very beneficial treatment for couples with any of the above problems causing infertility. The process is complex to go through and expensive.
For women who have had their tubes tied (tubal ligation) then having their tubes untied (tubal ligation reversal) may be the single best step to allow conception to be able to occur. When tubal ligation is the cause of infertility, then tubal ligation reversal is a better choice for most women than IVF to become pregnant and have additional children.
Our next article, Tubal Reversal After 40- IVF Risks, will discuss the risks of IVF treatment.
This article is written for patients or potential patients of Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center. This series was written for women over the age of 40 who are considering tubal ligation reversal; however, the content of this blog series is informative and relevant for all patients considering tubal ligation reversal who want to be well informed about their options or who are searching for an alternative to IVF.
Our Tubal Reversal Message Board is also a great place to meet and discuss this blog series or share any experiences in the quest for more children through tubal ligation reversal.
Submitted by Dr. Charles Monteith
September 5th, 2009 at 11:51 am
TAMMY – Read this article to see the difference between reversal of tied tubes and burned tubes after age 40. Also, look at Table 5 on this page to see the pregnancy rates by age after tubal reversal at Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center.
September 5th, 2009 at 10:31 am
Hi I am 43 years old and would like to know the difference between the tied tubal ligation and the kind I had done at the age of 21 where they burned the ends of my tubes and what are the chances of me becoming pregnant again if I have had this procedure done?
Thank you
April 24th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
[...] next article, Tubal Reversal After Age 40- IVF Benefits, discusses the benefits of IVF [...]
April 20th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
[...] previously published extensive information about pregnancy rates after IVF as well as IVF risks and IVF benefits. Moreover, we have also presented statistics on the average chance of of IVF success as well as the [...]
April 16th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Unfortunately, if both tubes have been removed we can not help you. You will need to consider in vitro fertilization (IVF) with a local provider. At the age of 43, they will recommend you use donor eggs with the IVF.
April 16th, 2009 at 1:08 pm
I am 43 and when I was young I had both tubes removed and one ovary removed. Now I think I am in pre-menopause. I have one son I had at 13 and he is now 28. I am 43 and would love to have a baby. I missed so much at that age. Can you help?
February 26th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
It is unclear if having a tubal reversal near perimenopause is beneficial. It is very possible you are undergoing hormonal changes as you approach menopause. Your doctor or a second opinion may be helpful.
February 26th, 2009 at 10:50 am
I am 55 years old. I had a tubal ligation at age 29, after a fourth c-section. The doctor told me there were no side effects with a TL. Since that time, I have experienced heavier periods with severe cramps. I have had more severe PMS and being perimenopausal, I am still having periods — but sometimes, three periods a month. My children are raised, but I’m wondering if it is possible to do a reversal and get some relief for my crazy hormones & migraines. I donated a kidney in 2001 and worry about all the medication I have to take to relieve the pain of cramps and the stress it puts on my remaining kidney. At my age, I need help! I can’t find support or help from any GYN here in Utah. I have had thyroid issues as well, that I didn’t experience until the TL. Any advice or help will be appreciated. tara@byronandtara.com / 801-423-2814
February 19th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
The article explains some of the lesser known and unexpected forms of infertility. Often IVF is the first suggestion for infertility. As Dr. Monteith states, for women who have had a tubal ligation, tubal reversal is the best first option.