We receive frequent requests from patients about the possibility of reversing tubal ligation and endometrial ablation.
The effects of endometrial ablation cannot be undone and cannot be reversed; however, pregnancy is possible after a reversal of tubal ligation in a woman with a previous endometrial ablation.
This article provides information about the possibility of pregnancy after reversing a tubal ligation when a woman has also had an endometrial ablation procedure.
Reversing An Endometrial Ablation: Is It Possible?
Endometrial ablation cannot be reversed.
Endometrial ablation involves applying energy to the lining of the uterus to cause enough damage to the cells lining the uterus to eliminate menstrual bleeding. Once this procedure has been done, the damage to the lining of the uterus is permanent and cannot be reversed. Often an endometrial ablation does not completely remove the uterine lining. In fact, a significant proportion of women who have ablations will resume their menstrual bleeding within five years of the procedure.
Pregnancy After Endometrial Ablation
Pregnancies after endometrial ablation have been reported in the medical literature. One of the largest reports on pregnancy after ablation identified 70 pregnancies after various techniques of endometrial ablation techniques were used. Approximately 50% of all the pregnancies were born at term without major complications while 42% were born prematurely. Four of the seventy pregnancies were stillborn. Eight of the 70 patients had difficult delivery or removal of the placenta.1
Any pregnancy after an endometrial ablation should be considered at increased risk for miscarriage, preterm birth, small for gestational age baby, stillbirth and a more difficult delivery that can increase the risk to maternal health.
Sterilization Reversal And Endometrial Ablation
Successful pregnancies have been described after in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and after sterilization reversal (tubal reversal).2,3
These pregnancies are not without risk but they are possible.
Tubal Reversal And Endometrial Ablation
Tubal reversal can be done after an endometrial ablation and pregnancy is also possible. The tubal reversal specialists of A Personal Choice have established a specialized approach to sterilization reversal after endometrial ablation.
To determine if you are a candidate it is essential to know if you are having regular periods after your endometrial ablation.
If you are having regular periods after endometrial ablation, you may have uterine lining present which could be suitable for pregnancy implantation.
If you are not having regular periods, you are not a suitable candidate for tubal ligation reversal surgery.
If you are having regular menstrual cycles after your endometrial ablation, tubal reversal and pregnancy may be possible. Readers who have additional questions should call A Personal Choice at (919)968-4656 and one of the Tubal Reversal Nurses can provide you with a
free tubal reversal consultation.
References
1. Pregnancy following endometrial ablation: a review article. Hare AA, Olah KS., J Obstet Gynaecol. 2005 Feb;25(2):108-14.
2. Successful pregnancy after thermal balloon endometrial ablation followed by in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Kuzel D, Mara M, et al., Fertil Steril. 2010 Feb;93(3):1006.e11-3. Epub 2009 Nov 25.
3. Pregnancy following endometrial ablation: case history and literature review. Cook JR, Seman EI., Obstet Gynecol Surv. 2003 Aug;58(8):551-6.
