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Ovary removal: Can I get pregnant with only one ovary?

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Pregnancy after ovary removal: Is it possible?

Question

I have only one ovary. My other ovary was removed years ago due to complications from an emergency appendectomy. Can I still get pregnant?

Becky
Texas

Answer

Yes, it is possible to get pregnant with only one ovary — as long as you still ovulate and have at least one intact fallopian tube. When one ovary is removed, the remaining ovary usually compensates for the loss. As a result, women with one ovary typically ovulate as frequently as women with two ovaries. No fertility treatment is required to "boost" the remaining ovary.

If you are having trouble getting pregnant, you may want to consider other causes of infertility, such as scarring from your complicated appendectomy. If you have been unable to conceive after one year of unprotected sexual intercourse, consult your doctor for infertility evaluation.

Last Updated: 05/17/2006
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