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Dr. Orrange received her BA in Biology at the University of California, San Diego, and a Masters Degree in Health Sciences at the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health. She received her MD from the USC Keck School of…
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Uterine Transplants: the Ultimate Mother- Daughter Gift
A Swedish medical team has transplanted uteruses from two women in their 50s to their daughters. In the United States there is a group in Indiana actively recruiting women interested in undergoing the same uterine transplants. This raises some important questions.
Who would need these?
We expect most cases will be young women who have had hysterectomies for cancer, endometriosis, or uterine trauma. Women born without a uterus would also be good candidates.
Are uterus transplants new?
Yes, they are relatively new. There are a few reports of transplants but none yet that resulted in pregnancy. The two operations in Sweden were the first cases where mothers had their uterus transplanted into their daughters.
Were the operations successful?
The two women in Sweden should be able to leave the hospital this week. If all goes well, they are hoping to have frozen embryos transferred in to their transplanted uteruses down the line.
Will the patients be able to have babies?
We don’t know yet. The transplant recipients have to take anti-rejection drugs and we don’t know how those might affect the fetuses. It is also unknown whether the fetuses will grow properly in this transplanted uterus.
Are uterine transplants temporary?
This is the weird part. Once a transplanted patient has achieved a successful pregnancy she may undergo a hysterectomy to remove the foreign uterus. That way, she won't be exposed to a lifetime of anti-rejection drugs.
Does everyone like the idea of transplanted uteruses?
No, many question whether this kind of transplant s really necessary. A uterus, unlike the kidneys, heart, and liver is not essential to life. Though we do face and limb transplants among others not essential to life.
Another issue is whether health care dollars should be spent on uterine transplants when a woman who lacks a uterus can turn to a surrogate. Is it worth the surgical risks, and the risk of the anti-rejection drugs?
Weigh in.
- Dr. O
Who would need these?
We expect most cases will be young women who have had hysterectomies for cancer, endometriosis, or uterine trauma. Women born without a uterus would also be good candidates.
Are uterus transplants new?
Yes, they are relatively new. There are a few reports of transplants but none yet that resulted in pregnancy. The two operations in Sweden were the first cases where mothers had their uterus transplanted into their daughters.
Were the operations successful?
The two women in Sweden should be able to leave the hospital this week. If all goes well, they are hoping to have frozen embryos transferred in to their transplanted uteruses down the line.
Will the patients be able to have babies?
We don’t know yet. The transplant recipients have to take anti-rejection drugs and we don’t know how those might affect the fetuses. It is also unknown whether the fetuses will grow properly in this transplanted uterus.
Are uterine transplants temporary?
This is the weird part. Once a transplanted patient has achieved a successful pregnancy she may undergo a hysterectomy to remove the foreign uterus. That way, she won't be exposed to a lifetime of anti-rejection drugs.
Does everyone like the idea of transplanted uteruses?
No, many question whether this kind of transplant s really necessary. A uterus, unlike the kidneys, heart, and liver is not essential to life. Though we do face and limb transplants among others not essential to life.
Another issue is whether health care dollars should be spent on uterine transplants when a woman who lacks a uterus can turn to a surrogate. Is it worth the surgical risks, and the risk of the anti-rejection drugs?
Weigh in.
- Dr. O
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. I think I'm still in denial. I went to see the first Gyn/Onc and he told me I would have to have a Hysterectomy and that they would need to remove everything ofcourse I was not ready to hear that and said I wanted to try Hormonal Therapy first but he wo
Posted on 04/08/12 10:49:18 pm
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this is the only reason that i havent fought to remove my own uterus! there was a life-time movie once of a girl who couldnt have kids of her own and her mother carried them for her. i would hate for something like that to happen to my daughter and to not be able to help her in EVERY way i could. if i was able to give my uterus to her, i would in a heart beat!
By des10ed2b Oct 08, 2012
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Can't wait to read that they got pregnant! :D
By drwho546 Oct 06, 2012
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