Saturday, February, 11, 2012

Asherman’s syndrome

Table of Contents

Alternative Names

Uterine synechiae


Treatment

Treatment involves surgery to cut and remove the adhesions or scar tissue. This can usually be done with hysteroscopy, which uses small instruments and a camera placed into the uterus through the cervix.

After scar tissue is removed, the uterine cavity must be kept open while it heals to prevent adhesions from returning. Your health care provider may place a small balloon inside the uterus for several days and prescribe estrogen therapy while the uterine lining heals.

Antibiotic treatment may be necessary if there is an infection.


Support Groups

The stress of illness can often be helped by joining a support group where members share common experiences and problems. See www.ashermans.org for information about an online Asherman syndrome support group.


Expectations (prognosis)

Asherman syndrome can be cured in most women with surgery, although sometimes more than one procedure will be necessary.

Women who are infertile because of Asherman syndrome may have a successful pregnancy after treatment Successful pregnancy depends on the severity of Asherman syndrome and the difficulty of the treatment, as well as other factors that affect fertility and pregnancy.


Complications

Complications of hysteroscopic surgery are uncommon and include bleeding, perforation of the uterus, and pelvic infection.

In some cases, treatment of Asherman syndrome will not cure infertility.


Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if your menstrual periods do not resume after a gynecologic or obstetrical procedure. An evaluation for infertility is also warranted if you are unable to achieve a pregnancy after 6 to 12 months of trying.



Review Date: 09/12/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)