The A-Z of fertility treatment
The topic of fertility treatment is very complex and extensive. Especially when you are dealing with it for the first time, you quickly feel overwhelmed by all the technical terms.
Our fertility lexicon from A-Z covers all the important topics and terms that you will come across again and again on your fertility journey. We have also created a section with the most frequently asked questions of our patients. However, we are always happy to provide you with help and advice and answer any questions you may have in a personal first consultation.
- Uterus bicornis
The uterus, like any other organ, is formed in a very complicated way during the development of a female body and goes through numerous small steps until the final "normal" shape of the uterus is formed. However, there are numerous deviations from this normal, undisturbed development, which then lead to just as many deviations, the so-called "uterine malformations".
A very common malformation is the so-called "uterus bicornis". A distinction is made between "partial" and "complete" uterus bicornis.
The diagnosis of this uterine malformation is usually possible with an ultrasound, sometimes additional information is obtained with a "3D ultrasound". In a very limited number of patients, surgery is an option, for example, if there is a uterine septum that can be removed.
Unfortunately, the presence of a uterine malformation leads to a higher rate of first trimester abortions, caesarean sections, premature births and premature rupture of the membranes. However, this risk is very much dependent on the type and severity of the respective malformation. It can therefore be assumed that many women have a uterine malformation without knowing it and still give birth without any problems.
- Uterus myomatosus
Myomas are benign lumps of the uterus, they develop from benign growth of the muscle cells that later produce contractions during birth. A uterus that has myoma nodules is called a uterus myomatosus. Myomas can occur in different parts of the uterus and can be of different sizes.
A rough distinction is made between fibroids- that extend into the cavity of the uterus
- that are located in the wall and
- which grow predominantly outside the uterus; in some cases they may only have a connection with the uterus through a small stalk.
The question of whether and what influence these fibroids have on the likelihood of becoming pregnant on the one hand and successfully carrying the pregnancy to term on the other has occupied medical science for a very long time. Linked to this is the question of whether it makes sense to treat a myoma with medication or to remove it surgically before the start of fertility treatment. Depending on the location of the lump, this can be done through a "hysteroscopy", a uterine endoscopy, if the fibroid reaches into the uterine cavity. Otherwise, the surgical approach is usually via a "laparoscopy" or also called "Bauspiegelung".
In any case, it appears that lumps that reach into the uterine cavity and those that are located in the wall have a negative effect on the implantation of the embryo. This is especially true if a lump is at least 3 centimetres in diameter or if there are several lumps.
In any case, it makes sense to examine the uterus by ultrasound before the actual fertility treatment. If you are found to have a myoma lump, it is important to discuss the further procedure in order to weigh up the advantages and disadvantages of the above-mentioned forms of treatment together with you.