Have you had your tonsils or appendix removed? If you have and you're a woman, you probably weren't told that the surgery may have increased your chances of having a baby.
In fact, you may have been told the opposite.
It's a 15-year study that found women who had their tonsils or appendix removed when they were young are more likely to get pregnant -- and to do so earlier in life.
We don't understand the reasons behind the link yet.
Researchers at the University of Dundee examined the medical records of more than 530,000 women across the United Kingdom and found pregnancy rates to be higher among women who had had their tonsils or appendix removed. Pregnancies were even higher among people missing both.
Pregnancy rates for women lacking both their appendix and their tonsils was 59%, compared to the rest of the population, which was almost 44%
The findings actually go against previous theories in medicine that these surgeries, especially appendectomies, decrease the chances of fertility because to scar tissue forming around a woman's fallopian tubes, where her eggs travel.
The study has challenged the idea that appendectomies actually decrease fertility. Now, we feel that young women should not have any fear or anxiety about an appendectomy (or tonsillectomy) reducing their fertility.
Question: Is the reasoning have to do with hormones?
It's a good question. We really need to better understand why. Researchers believe there could be either a biological or behavioral reason behind it.
The biological theory is that inflammation within the body from an inflamed appendix, or tonsils, puts strain and burden on the body, weakening it, decreasing the chances of conception.
Here's the other theory: Some research suggests that increased promiscuity among some women, and increased contact and intimacy -- through kissing or sex -- may directly increase chances of tonsillitis or chances of abdominal infection.
This would not cause appendicitis but could lead to more abdominal infections or pain, and more likely to lead to hospital referrals and investigations in which an inflamed appendix may be spotted more readily.
This is purely an association. so we need further studies to validate these findings.
Partha’s RX :
- Clearly we want to try to avoid any risk which would garner need for removal of your appendix or tonsils. We can decrease infections by proper hand washing and hygiene
- if you are trying to get pregnant then Focus on ways you can prepare your body for optimal fertility. Eat a healthy balanced and plant based diet, maintain a healthy weight & exercise 3-5 times a week.
- Please take Prenatal vitamins while you are trying to conceive. I am a believer in a daily multivitamin that helps supplement your diet and ensures you get the nutrients you need daily.
- Exercise regularly. Moderate exercise, 30 minutes a day, 5 times a week. Brisk walking, swimming and yoga are good exercises for you.
