Infertility Overview

 

 

 

 

 

h When To Seek Infertility
Treatment

h Finding the Cause of your Infertility

h Overview of Infertility Treatment

h What is Reproductive
Endocrinology_

h Books about Infertility

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h Reversal of Tubal Ligation

h Infertility Over 40

h Male Infertility

h Donor Egg IVF

h Endometriosis and Infertility

h Uterine Fibroids

h Recurrent Miscarriage

h Ectopic Pregnancy

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h Reading Between the Lines Part I: IVF Statistics

h Reading Between the Lines Part II: IVF Fees

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h Links to Infertility Sites

h Finding a Fertility Specialist

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h "About Infertility" en espaņol

 

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Reversal of Tubal Ligation

 

Overview

About 1.5% of women who have undergone tubal ligation decide to have surgery to reverse the procedure. Most commonly, these are women who have remarried and want to start a family with their new husband.

Depending on the method of sterilization utilized, success following reversal of tubal ligation can range from 50-65%.

 

IVF as an Alternative

Today, In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) offers an alternative to surgical reversal of tubal ligation. With IVF, the woman’s eggs are removed directly from the ovaries, fertilized in a laboratory, and the resultant embryos placed into the uterus.  Thus, the tubes are simply bypassed in the process.

In considering IVF versus surgery, there are pros and cons of each:

 

The Advantages of IVF

  • Reversal of tubal ligation is a major surgical operation, with post-operative pain and a four to six week recuperation.

  • The risk of ectopic (tubal) pregnancy is higher following reversal of sterilization than with IVF. 

  • A couple undergoing two IVF attempts at a clinic with good success rates has a better chance of having a baby than if the wife underwent surgical reversal of sterilization.

  • There is no need to repeat the tubal ligation or utilize other methods of birth control after one's family is completed.  

 

The Advantages of Surgery

  • Two or more attempts at IVF may be more costly than surgical reversal of sterilization. 

  • IVF entails a risk of multiple birth.

  • If the couple wants more than one child, they would need to repeat the IVF process.

 

A Personal Choice

Thus, the choice between reversal of tubal ligation or IVF is a personal one that each couple must make, depending on their own situation and   preferences.

(The material on this site is presented for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice or to substitute for the recommendations of your doctor.  Every case is different, and only your own physician can advise you regarding your particular situation.)