Leading London Infertility / Fertility Experts

Total Health | December 21st, 2009

“Success rates from assisted conceptionThe fertilisation of an ovum by a sperm cell: the start of pregnancy. and other fertility treatments have never been higher than they are presently.”

Consultant Gynaecologist, Mr Adrian Lower explains the realities of ‘Planning for Success’ in the New Year. His highly informative article for totalhealth explains all the latest thinking and provides a plain English overview what is actually involved.

As Mr Lower explains in the introduction to his article: “It is a sad fact that most of us will spend our early years responsibly trying to avoid unwanted pregnancies and feel that as soon as we are ready to start a family all we have to do is to stop using contraceptionA means of preventing pregnancy.. Unfortunately, the reality is slightly more complicated than this. A couple of normal fertility only have a 20 to 30% chance of conceiving in any one cycle in which they have unprotected sex. After a year of trying around 80% of couples will have achieved a successful pregnancythe period from conception to birth and after 2 years of trying around 90% of women will be pregnant. This leaves around one in 7 couples seeking medical help for delay in conception at some stage in their lives. So, if you are reading this after what has been for you a lengthy period of monthly cycles of expectation and disappointment, you are not alone. The good news is that most couples will be successful in having a family and success rates from assisted conception and other fertility treatments have never been higher than they are presently.

totalhealth works with only those senior medical consultants who are internally acknowledged experts, and facilitates communication directly between them and patients or other people seeking the latest authoritative facts.

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Uterine Fibroids

Expert articles

The Causes of Irregular and Heavy Periods

By Mr Ertan Saridogan, Consultant GynaecologistContact

Irregularity and heaviness of periods may be due to a number of causes including fibroidsBenign tumours, most often in the uterus. (non-cancerousMalignant, a tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. growths) of the wombThe uterus., polypsGrowths on the surface of a mucous membrane (a surface that secretes mucous), lining any body cavity that opens to the outside of the body. (abnormal growth of tissueA group of cells with a similar structure and a specialised function. from the lining of the womb), thickening of the lining of the womb (hyperplasia), adenomyosis of the womb (non-cancerous condition of the womb that often mimics the symptoms of fibroids), bleeding or clotting problems, bloodA fluid that transports oxygen and other substances through the body, made up of blood cells suspended in a liquid. thinning medication, hormonal imbalance or, very rarely, cancer of the womb or of the neck of the womb (cervixAny neck-like structure; most commonly refers to the neck of the uterus.).

Uterine Fibroid Embolisation. What is Involved?

By Dr Nigel Hacking, Consultant RadiologistContact

Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)

This is a non-surgical, minimally-invasive, procedure that blocks off the arteries that supply the fibroidsBenign tumours, most often in the uterus. with bloodA fluid that transports oxygen and other substances through the body, made up of blood cells suspended in a liquid. (the uterine arteries), therefore shrinking the fibroids.

It is performed with the patient conscious, but sedated.
It is carried out by an Interventional Radiologist (IR), a doctor who has been specially trained in using x-ray equipment, interpreting the images produced and performing operations using X-Ray or other modern imaging equipment for guidance.
It was first performed in France in the early 1990’s, although radiologists have been embolising uterine arteries for more than 20 years to control bleeding from the wombThe uterus., especially after childbirth.
80-96% of women are satisfied with the treatment and its result, and most patients rate the procedure as “very tolerable”.
The shrinkage in fibroid size averages 60% but varies from 20-100%.
Most women start getting relief of symptoms immediately, although fibroids that have taken years to develop will take months, or even years, to shrink to their final size.
Over 150,000 women world-wide have undergone fibroid embolisation (UFE).

Modern Management of Uterine Fibroids

By Mr Adrian Lower, Fibroids ExpertContact

In the earlier articles in this series we looked at the nature of fibroidsBenign tumours, most often in the uterus. and the investigations used to establish an accurate diagnosisThe process of determining which condition a patient may have.. In this article we shall look at the management options for the treatment of uterine fibroids and some of the factors which will guide your gynaecologist in helping you to select the correct management for you.

Investigations Used to Establish a Diagnosis of Uterine Fibroids

By Mr Adrian Lower, Fibroids ExpertContact

The first article in this three-article series presented what fibroidsBenign tumours, most often in the uterus. are, the different types and some of the problems they cause. However, symptoms attributable to uterine fibroids can also be caused by a number of other conditions, notably ovarianrelating to the ovaries cysts, endometriosisA condition in which tissue that normally lines the uterus (womb) of a woman is found outside the uterus or in other parts of the body. and pelvicRelating to the pelvis. infectionInvasion by organisms that may be harmful, for example bacteria or parasites.. As such, it is particularly important that the most appropriate investigative technique is used to determine an accurate diagnosisThe process of determining which condition a patient may have. and subsequent options for treatment.

An Introduction to Fibroids

By Mr Adrian Lower, Fibroids ExpertContact

Uterine fibroidsBenign tumours, most often in the uterus., which are non-cancerousMalignant, a tumour that may invade surrounding tissues or spread to distant parts of the body. tumours, occur in up to 50% of women. Although they only cause symptoms in around a quarter of cases they remain the most common cause of hysterectomyThe surgical removal of the uterus (womb). before the menopauseThe time of a woman’s life when her ovaries stop releasing an egg (ovum) on a monthly cycle..

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