A Personal Choice specializes in reversing tubal ligation and repairing damaged or blocked fallopian tubes. We perform over 800 tubal repair surgeries per year and have patients who travel to us from around the world and across the United States to have tubal surgery at our center.
Our Tubal Reversal Statistics
We see a large number of women who have had their ‘tubes tied’ and who request reversal of sterilization procedures after the age of 40. From 2001 to 2007, 4025 tubal surgeries were performed at A Personal Choice (formerly Chapel Hill Tubal Reversal Center) and 506 (13%) of these patients were women 40 years of age or older. We maintain a comprehensive date base of our tubal reversal pregnancy statistics based on patient age, method of tubal ligation, and tubal length. We also maintain statistics on our tubal reversal pregnancy rates compared with in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Additional Considerations for Patients Over 40
Women over the age of 40 have the added considerations of decreasing fertility, as a result of aging, and the approach of peri-menopause. Women under the age of forty typically do not have to factor these concerns into their decision to have their tubes untied.
We want our patients and potential patients to be well informed, and have decided to devote a series of articles specific to the concerns of women pursing pregnancy after the age of 40. This series will explain the fertility options available and the advantages and disadvantages of each option. When possible, we will present statistics so readers can make informed decisions about which is the best pregnancy option for them.
This series will also be helpful to other women – even those under the age of forty – who may be considering the choice between tubal ligation reversal or IVF.
Our series will cover several key areas:
Adoption
Tubal ligation reversal surgery
In vitro fertilization
Challenges specific to pregnancy after 40
Screening tests available to detect genetic abnormalities
Risks of pregnancy in older women
Stories of women over 40 who have had tubal reversals
In Summary…
Many women over the age of forty will consider tubal surgery to have their tubes untied or blocked fallopian tubes opened. These women have the added concern of decreasing fertility due to age. It is important they be well informed about the options and alternatives available to them. Additionally, they should be aware of the pregnancy challenges after they conceive and screening tests available for prenatal genetic diagnoses.
Dr. Monteith, and the staff of A Personal Choice are proud of the services and care we provide to our patients. We want our patients to be well informed before they make the important decision to have a tubal ligation reversal. We have seen good success in the rates of pregnancy in women over the age of 40. There are unique concerns older patients must consider and this series of blog articles will address these concerns.
The quality of care we provide can be seen in the Patient Satisfaction Messages that we receive.
The next article in this series is Tubal Reversal After Age 40 | Pregnancy and Infertility.
Submitted by Dr. Charles Monteith
