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Esther Eleboh: The Hidden Cost of Ovarian Surgery, Protecting Future Fertility
Esther Eleboh/LinkedIn
Jun 3, 2026, 14:07

Esther Eleboh: The Hidden Cost of Ovarian Surgery, Protecting Future Fertility

Esther Eleboh, Reproductive Health Nurse ( Head of Nursing Department) at Joje Abebe fertility Hospital, shared a post on LinkedIn:

“The Hidden Cost of Ovarian Surgery: Protecting Future Fertility

  • I cared for a 40-year-old woman with secondary infertility. She had previously conceived naturally and has a 10-year-old daughter. She presented for IVF treatment after years of trying to expand her family.
  • Her medical history revealed a ruptured ectopic pregnancy that required an exploratory laparotomy. Unfortunately, surgical complications led to a right oophorectomy (removal of the right ovary).
  • At presentation, her AMH was 0.8 ng/mL, reflecting a reduced ovarian reserve, likely influenced by the loss of one ovary.
  • Despite this challenge, her remaining left ovary responded remarkably well to stimulation:
  • 12 oocytes retrieved
  • 10 mature (MII) oocytes
  • 2 immature (MI) oocytes
  • 8 normally fertilized embryos (2PN)
  • 3 blastocysts developed and biopsied for PGT-A.
  • This case highlights an important lesson in reproductive medicine:
    AMH and ovarian reserve are not the whole story. Even with a single ovary and a relatively low AMH, a patient can still achieve a meaningful response to ovarian stimulation and produce viable embryos.
  • However, the loss of an ovary undeniably reduces a woman’s overall ovarian reserve and reproductive lifespan. Because this patient hopes to have two more children, we are considering an additional stimulation cycle to maximize embryo banking and preserve her future reproductive options.
  • Key Takeaway
  • While ovarian surgery is sometimes unavoidable, every effort should be made to preserve healthy ovarian tissue whenever possible. Procedures involving the ovaries—whether for ectopic pregnancy, endometriosis, cysts, or other conditions, can have long-term consequences for fertility by reducing ovarian reserve.
  • For women of reproductive age, fertility preservation and future family-building goals should always be part of the conversation before ovarian surgery.
  • The best fertility-preserving surgery is not only about solving today’s problem but also protecting tomorrow’s reproductive potential.

‘I am Nurse Esther, a fertility nurse passionate about helping couples overcome infertility and achieve pregnancy. I am also actively involved in fertility research and reproductive health education.’ ”

Stay updated on all scientific advances in the field of fertility with Fertility News.

AMH Blastocysts cysts ectopic pregnancy embryo banking endometriosis Esther Eleboh exploratory laparotomy Fertility Fertility News fertilized embryos IVF treatment oophorectomy ovarian reserve Ovarian Surgery Ovarian Tissue reproductive health Reproductive Medicine reproductive potential secondary infertility stimulation
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