Can IVF Help If I Have Pelvic Inflammation?
Becoming pregnant can be a struggle for women with pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) but fertility treatment can help. In vitro fertilization (IVF) can provide an pathway to motherhood for women facing infertility due to pelvic inflammation.
At the Center for Fertility and Gynecology, our doctors can perform consultations for pelvic inflammation and IVF. If live in the Los Angeles, Tarzana, or Bakersfield, CA area and would like more information, Dr. Michael Vermesh and Dr. Tannaz Toloubeydokhti welcome you to schedule a consultation.
What Is Pelvic Inflammatory Disease?
Pelvic inflammatory disease, or PID, occurs when an infection spreads to the reproductive organs, including the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus.
In most cases, infections that can cause PID come from sexually transmitted bacteria, such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. PID may also come from infections that develop during menstruation, childbirth, or anytime bacteria is able to pass through the cervix.
Some women with PID may never notice symptoms while others may experience symptoms such:
- Chronic pelvic pain
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Painful or difficult urination
PID Can Impact Fertility
Pelvic inflammation can affect the reproductive system in several ways, all of which can impact fertility and make it difficult to become pregnant.
The longer PID goes untreated, the greater the risk to fertility. This is because inflammation can cause damage to the reproductive organs, lead to scar tissue forming in the fallopian tubes, or cause abscesses to develop in the uterus, ovaries, or fallopian tubes.
Just a little scar tissue in the fallopian tubes can make it more difficult to conceive. When scarring occurs in the fallopian tubes it can restrict the movement of eggs. In the event an egg becomes fertilized, scarring can trap the egg within the fallopian tube. An ectopic pregnancy may then occur if the fertilized egg implants within the fallopian tube instead of the uterus.
Can IVF Help Women with PID Conceive?
IVF can help women with PID conceive. Before fertility treatment can begin, it is important that the infection causing PID be treated with antibiotics to prevent further damage.
For many women with PID, IVF can help overcome infertility issues and make pregnancy a reality.
The IVF Process for Women with PID
The IVF process for women with PID is similar to how it's performed on women facing other infertility issues.
The IVF process begins with stimulating the ovaries to produce several eggs with the assistance of fertility medications. Once the eggs are matured, they are retrieved from the ovaries and combined with sperm in a lab. Fertilized eggs are incubated for several days. A single fertilized egg is then transferred into the uterus where it may implant and result in pregnancy.
Why Choose IVF for PID?
IVF is one of the most effective ways to become pregnant for women with PID who have struggled to conceive.
- Bypass Scar Tissue - IVF can be beneficial for women with scarring from PID in their journey to motherhood. IVF makes it possible to retrieve eggs that would normally be stopped by scarring in the fallopian tubes since eggs are directly extracted from ovaries.
- Avoid Ectopic Pregnancy - IVF can also help women with PID avoid the risk of ectopic pregnancy since fertilized eggs are placed directly in the uterus and do not travel through the fallopian tubes.
Discover Which Infertility Treatments May Be Right for You
If have had difficulty conceiving, infertility treatments at the Center for Fertility and Gynecology may be right for you. We encourage you to schedule a consultation online to learn more about your treatment options. You can also call (818) 881-9800.