Infertility: Questions to Ask About Surgery

Topic Overview

When considering a surgical infertility treatment, ask:

  • About your doctor's experience with microsurgical techniques. Surgery to correct infertility in both men and women often requires specialized training and experience.
  • Whether problems can be corrected during laparoscopy. Some problems with a woman's reproductive tract can be corrected during laparoscopic testing on an outpatient basis. Correction requiring conventional abdominal surgery is more risky, requires longer recovery times, and usually is more expensive.
  • About your chances of conceiving after surgery. This depends on the specific type of problem being treated as well as other fertility factors such as a woman's age. You must feel comfortable that the risks of surgery are worth the likelihood of becoming pregnant.

Related Information

Credits

ByHealthwise Staff
Primary Medical ReviewerSarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical ReviewerFemi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last RevisedDecember 7, 2011
By: Healthwise StaffLast Revised: December 7, 2011
Medical Review: Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics and Gynecology

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