FAQs on General Gynecology

Is it possible to get pregnant with only one fallopian tube?

Yes, you can get pregnant even with one fallopian tube provided:

1. You have at least one healthy and functioning ovary
2. If you have correct monthly periods
3. If the fallopian tube is healthy.

There are many cases of women whose fallopian tube had to be removed for various reasons including infection, pelvic surgery etc. If the other fallopian tube is in good condition, surely pregnancy is possible.

I am suffering from hypothyroidsm, can I still get pregnant?

Hypothyrodism is a condition when the Thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones. Low levels of these hormones can interfere with the production of eggs in the ovary. When the eggs in the ovary are not released, that will lead to infertility.

When you contact your infertility specialist or a good gynaecologist, the first thing he/she would address is to treat hypothyroidsm. Once the thyroid hormone levels are normal and if you are still unable to conceive, your gynaecologist will check for other problems and treat you accordingly.

I was treated for endometriosis, can i still get pregnant?

Endometriosis is a condition when the inner lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus and on the fallopian tubes, intestines and/or ovaries.  Once this condition is treated, there are 50% chances of becoming pregnant.

A good gynaecologist will always evaluate you for infertility and check if there is any problem with your ovaries in releasing egg regularly. Also he/she will check for abnormalities in uterus, cervix and also with the sperms of your partner.  If there are any abnormalities found, they should be addressed before proceeding with alternative therapies.

Alternative therapies include IVF, IUI or Superovulation.

What is superovulation?

When the ovaries of a woman are not able to produce eggs regularly like they should, the gynaecologist will put you on to medication which will stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs.  Once the eggs are forming, pregnancy can be achieved normally or by assisted reproduction procedures such as IVF or IUI depending on other conditions.

Will endometriosis increase the chances of ovarian cancer?

“Women who had endometriosis treated will surely get ovarian cancer” – This is a false statement. However, if a woman had endometriosis, the chances of getting ovarian cancer are slightly higher.  Also, endometriosis increases the chances of having adenocarcinoma at later stages of life. If you already have children and not looking forward to becoming pregnant anymore, you can discuss with your gynaecologist and he/she may proceed with hysterectomy to avoid future cancer issue. Opinions of doctors may vary, so you need to talk to at least two good gynaecologists near you or in your city.

Can a woman get endometriosis after menopause?

Short answer is yes. A woman can be diagnosed with endometriosis even after menopause.

Endometriosis is believed to be caused by estrogen. After menopause, the amount of estrogen released by the body will come down. So, this potentially should reduce the risk of getting endometriosis. However, there are many cases where endometriosis was diagnosed and treated after menopause.  A couple of reasons might include:

• Hormone replacement therapy – In order to reduce hot flashes, vaginal dryness and other symptoms of menopause, women with estrogen supplements. This can cause endometriosis.
• Tamoxifen is used to treat breast cancer and it has anti-estrogen effect. This may work well on the breast but when it comes to uterus, this has opposite effect and can lead to endometriosis.

What is the difference between uterine cancer and fibroids?

Fibroids are smooth tumors, usually non cancerous that grow on the soft lining of the uterus. Cancer tumors grow in the muscles around the uterus or in the soft tissues that support the uterus. Both can be removed using a laparoscope by an experienced gynecologist.