WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for August, 1999: Re: Ovary reproduction

Re: Ovary reproduction

From: William D. McIntosh, MD (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri, 6 Aug 1999 10:03:36 -0500 (CDT)

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In reply to: Anne: "Ovary reproduction"

At Thu, 5 Aug 1999, Anne wrote: >
>I have had a tubaligation; does this cut the blood supply to the
>ovaries, causing them to become non-functional, to atrophy? Can
>reconnecting the blood supply that runs along side of the fallopian
>tubes back to the ovary rejuvenate the atrophied ovary and reactivate
>hormone production?
>Is this surgery that should be considered to reactivate hormone
>production?

This is not even remotely true. The ovary receives blood from 2 sources, one from each end of the ovary. Either is capable of carrying the whole load by itself if necessary. The ovarian ligament carries blood from connections to the uterine artery, and the infundibulopelvic ligament carries blood via the ovarian artery. The Fallopian tube is an appendage of the uterus and broad ligment, and receives its blood supply from tiny vessels that come off of the ovary, IP ligament, ovarian ligament, as well as directly from the uterus. In other words, the Fallopian tube is downstream from the ovary. Arguing that a tubal ligation, which incidently does not even cut off the blood supply to the tube itself, cuts off the blood supply to the ovary is analogous to arguing that damming the Mississippi River at New Orleans is going to prevent water from getting to St. Louis. It is absolutely ludicrous.

I have been seeing this ridiculous theory on the Web for some time now. There may be something that causes Post Tubal Ligation Syndrome, but this is not it. I have visited some of the Websites that propound this theory, and the complete and utter lack of factual anatomic knowledge is astounding. Even the most elementary of anatomy texts would set this idea aside. At one site, there are 2 pictures of ovaries, one proportedly normal, and the other abnormal, supposedly as a result of this phenomenon. The trouble is, the "normal" ovary is grossly abnormal, easily 2-3 normal size, with a large cystic structure and obvious internal bleeding. The "abnormal" ovary is perfect in every way, not so much as a blemish.

As long as an organ has even one tiny capillary to receive blood through, the human body is capable of changing that tiny vessel into whatever size is needed to supply that organs needs. Even allowing that this theory had some validity, the ovary would simply "instruct" the body to increase the size of its other connections.

-- William D. McIntosh, MD, FACOG Clarksville, TN

This is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to replace consultation and examination by your physician or other health care provider.

Next message: Barb: "Uterus Produces Hormones?"
Previous message: jnd: "Re: Soreness Due to Friction During Sex"
In reply to: Anne: "Ovary reproduction"

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