A rare genetic disorder affects 1 in 5000 women across the globe. It’s called Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser Syndrome (MRKHS). A congenital condition when either your womb (uterus) and a part of the vagina are missing or not fully developed. So, there are many myths about MRKH. The most common of the myths is that MRKH means you can never become a parent or that IVF isn’t an option for MRKH women.
But modern advancements like IVF, Infertility due to MRKH has been done away via surrogacy as well. Medical facts reveal that about 10-20% of women with MRKH are known to have achieved pregnancy through assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) and surrogate options. Let’s learn more…
Insightful Guide to MRKH Syndrome:
For a comprehensive understanding of MRKH Syndrome, including its causes, types, symptoms, and diagnosis, please check the details below.
1. Causes of MRKH:
MRKH is caused by genetic factors, often due to mutations or abnormalities in specific human genes. It’s a congenital condition, meaning you had it when you were born. Unlike what the myths are, MRKH is not caused by lifestyle or environmental factors or by injury or accident. While it can make natural pregnancy difficult, it doesn’t define your future. Because here your Ovarian function is normal, so you can become a mom with your own genetics!
2. Types of MRKH:
- Type 1, or Müllerian Agenesis means you’re born without a uterus and without a part of the vagina.
- MRKH Syndrome Type 2 means you have the above issues but might also have other problems like kidney or bone deformities etc.
3. Symptoms and Diagnosis of MRKH:
Mayer Rokitansky Küster Hauser Syndrome symptoms are…
- Zero periods by the age of 16.
- A shorter or absent vaginal canal.
- Very small rudimentary or no uterus present.
- Few women may have a missing kidney or other renal anomalies
- Others can face Scoliosis (curvature of the spine) or other minor bone anomalies
Do not worry, we are here to back you and your efforts to be a Mom! Let’s learn how…step by step.
Also Read: Hydrosalpinx and IVF
Understanding Your MRKH Diagnosis:
For a detailed breakdown of how your MRKH diagnosis is determined, please check the information below.
1. Medical History and Physical Examination:
As medical experts we ask your medical history, mainly the menstrual history. Then we will perform a gentle physical exam. Fertility experts look at things like breast development and vaginal opening. This step helps us understand to what extent your other body organs have developed.
2. Imaging Tests via the Ultrasound or MRI:
Next step is to do an ultrasound or MRI to get a closer look at your internal reproductive organs. These tests help the doctors ascertain if there’s actually an absence or underdevelopment of the uterus and vagina.
3. Blood Sample Tests:
Lastly, we will also take a blood sample to check for normal female chromosomes (46, XX). These blood tests are important for confirming the Mayer Rokitansky Küster Hauser Syndrome symptoms’ & diagnosis. This will also rule out other causes of why you did not have periods.
Also Read: What is Unexplained Infertility?
Understanding Reproductive Anatomy and MRKH:
To gain a deeper understanding of reproductive anatomy and how MRKH syndrome affects it, please check the details below.
1. Impact of MRKH on Reproductive Anatomy:
We totally understand that learning about MRKH Syndrome can be difficult and overwhelming. Thus, let’s go slow and step-by-step.
- In MRKH, the uterus is either missing or underdeveloped. This means that you won’t be able to carry a pregnancy in the traditional way. But then surrogacy is the modern way ahead via IVF in which your eggs are retrieved and fertilized by your male partner’s sperms outside the body and the embryo thus formed is transferred into the surrogate’s uterus.
- The good side is that your external genitalia typically look normal. Also the rest of your body has developed as it should, even your breasts to feed your future baby. Yes, MRKH specifically affects the internal reproductive structures, not the external ones.
- You might also have a shorter or absent vaginal canal. This can affect your sexual activity but nowadays laparoscopic surgery can help you create a neo-vagina using your internal tissues without using any skin grafts with minimal invasive surgery and very short hospital stay.
2. The Good News! Stable Ovarian Function in MRKH Patients:
Yes…in MRKH Syndrome, your ovaries usually work normally. This means that you still produce eggs and have regular hormone levels. This means high possibilities like egg retrieval for future fertility options via IVF. We’re here to help manoeuvre you through this journey.
Also Read: What is Secondary Infertility?
MRKH Syndrome Treatment: Fertility Options for MRKH Patients
It’s important to know that there is a safe MRKH syndrome treatment. We have just shared how MRKH affects the uterus and vagina, But your ovaries typically function normally. Yes, you will be producing the required eggs and female hormones. So how do you produce a baby?
- Your Egg retrieval for use in IVF (In Vitro Fertilisation) through an ultrasound under sedation is done on day-care basis. That egg retrieved is fertilized in the IVF lab using your husbands sperms to form an embryo and that embryo is transferred into the womb of a surrogate
IVF and Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART):
To explore how IVF and assisted reproductive technologies can help with MRKH, please check the details below.
1. Role of In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) for MRKH Patients:
In vitro fertilisation (IVF) is the only hope for patients with Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser (MRKH) Syndrome to become parents through their own genetic material. The IVF process starts with ovarian stimulation. Here you take medications to help your ovaries produce multiple eggs. Next is egg retrieval, a minor procedure to collect these eggs. The eggs are then fertilised in the lab with sperms from your partner for creating embryos. These embryos are cultured in the lab to ensure they develop healthily. Finally, one or more healthy embryos are transferred into your surrogate’s uterus. If successful, this leads to a pregnancy in a few weeks.
2. Success Rates and Potential Risks:
The success rates for IVF are generally around 50-60% per cycle. This means there’s an excellent chance of getting rid of your infertility and achieving a pregnancy. The mother/surrogate mother usually face no adverse outcomes during the treatment cycle.
Summing up…
Mayer Rokitansky Küster Hauser Syndrome symptoms & diagnosis are easy and safe. With the right medical care and your dedication, IVF treatment is a wonderful opportunity to become a parent to a healthy baby. So, if you’re ready to make your dream of becoming a parent a reality, reaching out to an IVF center and an experienced IVF specialist could be your next big move. So, call us today!
FAQs:
IVF allows women with MRKH to use their eggs, fertilized in a lab, which are then transferred to a surrogate’s uterus for pregnancy.
MRKH Syndrome has two types: Type 1 involves a missing uterus and part of the vagina, while Type 2 includes additional anomalies like kidney or bone issues.
Success rates for IVF are generally around 50-60% per cycle for MRKH patients.
Yes, because MRKH affects the uterus, surrogacy is needed to carry the pregnancy after IVF.
Consult with an IVF specialist at a reputable IVF center to discuss your options and begin the process of IVF and surrogacy.
