Abstract

ROLE OF GENERAL GYNECOLOGISTS IN THE PREVENTION OF INFERTILITY

Maysoon Abbood Majeed and Hind Saaran Hussein*

Abstract

General gynaecologists have a significant role to play in the prevention of infertility. Some of the causes of infertility are iatrogenic and secondary to pelvic surgery. Careful assessment of women with gynaecological conditions such as fibroids and ovarian cysts and identification of those who can be managed without surgery may avoid potentially eliminate fertility difficulties secondary to pelvic adhesions in these women. When surgery is clinically indicated, primary prevention of pelvic adhesions would be of paramount importance. The measures to avoid postoperative adhesions include the use of a reliable surgical technique and potential use of anti-adhesion agents. Ovarian surgery for endometriomas and other benign cysts should be performed in the hands of experienced surgeons or in ‘centres of clinical expertise’; maximum efforts are exercised to preserve normal ovarian tissue as much as possible. General gynaecologists also have a role in the identification and early treatment of subclinical and overt STIs and pelvic infections; these efforts are likely to reduce the likelihood of tubal damage and subsequent infertility.

Keywords: gynecologists, infertility.