Overview
Hysteroscopy is used to diagnose and treat problems inside the uterus. It is a minimally invasive procedure done to examine the uterus. In this article, we will discuss the importance of hysteroscopy before IVF and how it can improve fertility results by diagnosing the problems inside the uterus. You will also learn about the factors influencing IVF timing and the steps of the IVF process after hysteroscopy.
What is Hysteroscopy?
Hysteroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure done to diagnose and treat fibroids, polyps, adhesions, or a uterine septum. In this procedure, a thin tube with a light at one end is inserted into the uterus through the vagina. It helps the doctor to clearly visualise the uterine cavity and correct the abnormalities that may interfere with the implantation. This helps improve the chances of successful implantation and pregnancy. A uterus should be healthy and receptive to support the pregnancy. Hysteroscopy before IVF helps to identify the problems before the IVF procedure and treat them effectively. It is an effective tool to achieve success for women who have experienced implantation failure in the past.
Importance of Hysteroscopy in IVF treatment
Hysteroscopy is an important procedure done before the IVF treatment. It helps doctors ensure that the uterus is healthy and can support the pregnancy. Any abnormality in the uterus increases the risk of miscarriage or failure of embryo implantation. Hysteroscopy before IVF helps doctors identify the problems of the uterus at an early stage and treat them before starting the procedure. This helps increase the success rate and boosts couples' confidence.
The most important benefits of hysteroscopy in IVF treatment are:
- Helps ensure the endometrial lining is in the proper condition to receive an embryo.
- Helps to identify the causes of implantation failure.
- Helps to identify and treat conditions such as fibroids, polyps, adhesions, or a uterine septum.
- Improve fertility results for women with previous IVF failures.
- Improves the success rate of IVF by creating a healthy environment for embryo implantation.
When to Start IVF After Hysteroscopy?
When you can begin IVF after your hysteroscopy will depend on the specific nature and extent of the correction performed during your hysteroscopy. Most physicians recommend you wait until you have had a complete menstrual cycle (generally 4 to 6 weeks after the procedure) to allow for full uterine recovery and to ensure that your endometrial lining is well-prepared for embryo implantation.
You may also start IVF sooner than this if your hysteroscopy was performed solely in order to diagnose and/or for only very minor corrections. If proper healing occurs, the doctor may start the IVF procedure in the same cycle. But if major corrections are performed, such as the removal of fibroids, septum correction, or extensive adhesiolysis, more time is required for complete healing of the uterus.
Factors That Influence IVF Timing After Hysteroscopy
Several factors influence IVF timing after hysteroscopy, which include the following:
- Hormonal balance and ovarian reserve of the woman
- Age and fertility goals of couples
- Previous history of IVF failures and miscarriages
- Type of hysteroscopy done
- Level of correction done inside the uterine cavity
- Healing speed and recovery time
- Presence of infection, inflammation, or any other complications
IVF Procedure Steps After Hysteroscopy
Performing IVF after hysteroscopy does not alter the way IVF is performed. The steps involved in the IVF procedure after hysteroscopy include the following:
Your doctor will give fertility medications to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. To perform IVF after hysteroscopy, the medical doctor will monitor your hormone levels at regular intervals and will also monitor the development of your eggs (follicles) with ultrasound images. When your eggs have reached maturity, the medical doctor will schedule an appointment for you to have your eggs retrieved from your ovaries. The retrieval procedure will be performed under sedation, and the physician will insert a thin needle through the vagina into the ovaries and retrieve the eggs.
The retrieved eggs are kept along with the sperm collected from the male partner or donor sperm in a laboratory under controlled environmental conditions. Fertilisation takes place in the labs. Some physicians may perform intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) for fertilisation of the retrieved eggs. With ICSI, sperm are injected directly into the egg to speed up the fertilisation process.
The fertilised eggs will remain in the laboratory for 3 to 5 days before developing into embryos. The embryologists who are responsible for monitoring embryo growth will select the best embryos for transfer into your uterus. Some people also choose preimplantation genetic testing to test embryos for genetic abnormalities so that only healthy embryos are transferred to the uterus.
Selected embryos are gently placed inside the woman’s womb using a soft catheter. It does not need anaesthesia as it is a painless procedure. If the process is successful, implantation starts in a few days, leading to pregnancy.
Benefits of Waiting for the Right Time to Start IVF
IVF should be started at the right time as it increases the chances of successful implantation and pregnancy. Right timing also ensures complete healing of the uterus after hysteroscopy and prepares the uterus for implantation. It also helps to achieve the desired endometrial thickness required for embryo transfer and implantation. It enhances the chances of the embryo attaching properly to the uterine cavity and reduces the risk of miscarriage. Thus, waiting for the right time to start IVF is beneficial as it increases the overall success of IVF.
Conclusion
The timing of IVF after hysteroscopy is an important factor in achieving successful results. It is important to wait because it ensures complete healing of the uterus and supports healthy implantation of the embryo. It reduces the risk of pregnancy failure and complications. You must consult with experienced fertility specialists to get a personalised treatment plan. Fertility specialists can use hysteroscopy to diagnose and treat various conditions based on your personal and medical history. They can help couples move forward and enjoy parenthood successfully.