What does tubal ligation reversal surgery and herpes have in common?
Absolutely nothing at all; however, we receive frequent inquires from women considering tubal reversal surgery who want to know if having herpes would be a problem for reversal surgery.
When one understands how common herpes virus is in the general population then it is easier to understand how women who are considering sterilization reversal surgery have questions about herpes virus.
We thought we would take the time to educate readers about herpes simplex virus infection, tubal ligation reversal surgery, and pregnancy after tubal reversal.
What is Herpes?
Herpes is one of several groups of infectious organisms: bacteria, fungi (yeast), and viruses. Herpes is a virus and viruses are one of the smallest infectious agents (much smaller than a human cell or a bacteria). Once a viral infection has occurred it is very difficult to eliminate. Some viruses can be prevented by receiving vaccinations and other viruses can be removed by the immune system or treated with antiviral medication.
Several viruses can not be eliminated once they enter and infect the body. These viruses will stay with a person for life. Herpes is one such virus.
There are two main versions of the herpes virus: one causes oral infections (Type 1) and the other causes genital infections (Type 2). Herpes virus is very common. It is estimated as many as 8 out of 10 people have had oral herpes infection and 1 out of 5 people have had genital herpes virus infection.
Chance of pregnancy after tubal reversal with Herpes?
The chance of pregnancy after tubal reversal is not affected by having a herpes virus infection.
On average, approximately 3 out of 4 of our tubal reversal patients will become pregnant and herpes has absolutely no effect on the chances of becoming pregnant after a reversal operation.
Herpes and pregnancy after tubal ligation reversal
Herpes is more of a consideration during pregnancy after tubal reversal.
Herpes virus infections can infect the baby while the baby is developing inside the mother and when the baby is passing through the birth canal. It is very uncommon for herpes to infect babies while they are growing inside the mother. Herpes virus infections are more likely to be acquired by babies when they are passing through the birth canal when the mother has an active genital herpes virus infection at the time of birth.
Women who are most at risk of passing a herpes infection to their baby are those women who have never previously been exposed to herpes and who have the first herpes infection while they are pregnant. Women who have a history of herpes infection will have developed antibodies (protective agents created by the immune system) and these antibodies will protect the baby during pregnancy.
Herpes and pregnancy after sterilization reversal
Most women who have herpes and become pregnant after tubal reversal will not have a complication from the infection during the pregnancy.
Women who have a history of herpes infection can speak with their obstetrician about taking antiviral medication for suppression of herpes during their pregnancy. If there are no active herpes lesions at the time of birth, then a vaginal birth is safe. Women who have active genital herpes at the time of labor are generally advised to have a c-section to minimize the baby’s exposure to the virus while in the birth canal.
Although herpes can pose a risk to pregnancy after tubal ligation reversal, the risk is most high in women who have never been exposed to genital herpes and who have their first active outbreak during the pregnancy.
Tubal reversal success rates
Tubal reversal can be very successful for many women and having an infection with herpes virus should not be a deterrent to having sterilization reversal.
For more information about tubal reversal success rates readers are invited to visit the website of A Personal Choice and to evaluate the tubal reversal success rates.
For personal stories about tubal reversal success readers can join the Tubal Reversal Message Board and the Tubal Reversal Facebook Group.
Submitted by Dr. Charles Monteith
