The first uterus transplant treatment in India happened on 18th May 2017 at Galaxy Care Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra. Since then, there has been no turning back. Indian hospitals have been successfully carrying out uterus transplants for female patients.
Uterus transplants are a relatively new procedure and are still experimental in many countries. However, the success rates of uterus transplants in India have been very encouraging, and the process is becoming increasingly accepted as a treatment option for women with uterine factor infertility.
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What is Uterus Transplant?
Uterus transplantation, or womb transplantation, is a medical procedure where a healthy uterus is transplanted into a female or female assigned at birth (AFAB) whose uterus is diseased.
In humans, post-sexual reproduction, it is in the uterine walls that the embryo (formed after fertilization between sperm and ovum) attaches itself to. From there, the baby grows and develops inside the uterus for nine months till the delivery happens.
When the uterus is diseased, it can not carry out a pregnancy, rendering females infertile. This condition is called absolute uterine factor infertility.
What is a Uterus?
The uterus is the hollow, pear-shaped organ inside a woman’s body. It lies in the pelvic region. The uterus is essential to a female’s reproductive system as major life processes such as the menstrual cycle, fetal development, and labor occur here.
The uterus also called the womb, has some essential body parts attached to it, such as the cervix, vagina, fallopian tube and ovaries, etc.
What Conditions Are Treated With Uterus Transplant?
The main motive of uterine transplants is to cure uterine factor infertility (AUFI). It is a medical condition where a woman cannot get pregnant without a uterus. AUFI can occur due to the following conditions:
- Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome (MRKH): A rare condition where women are born without a uterus, cervix, or upper vagina.
- Asherman’s syndrome: A condition where scar tissues develop in the uterus; it can be caused by infection, surgery, or even childbirth.
- Hysterectomy: It is a surgical procedure where the uterus is removed from a woman’s body. In this case, the woman can undergo a womb transplant if a hysterectomy is done due to uterine fibroids or other conditions, and the woman may have a plan for pregnancy in the future.
Why is Womb Transplant Done?
Uterus transplant treatment is a relatively new medical procedure that needs finishing touches. The two main reasons behind uterus transplants are to improve a woman’s quality of life and, secondly, to allow a woman to experience the joys of motherhood.
What Are The Approaches To Uterus Transplant Surgery?
The uterus can either come from a living donor or a deceased donor. The former is preferred over the latter as a uterus transplant is time-consuming. It takes a lot of tests and treatments before the final surgery. The uterus from a deceased donor won’t yield superior results as the time in which the donor uterus is without its blood supply (“ischemic time”) is extremely short.
- Living donor uterine transplant: This is the most common type of womb transplant. The womb from a living donor is transplanted to the recipient. The rejection rate decreases if the uterus comes from a close blood relative (like a mother or sister).
- Deceased donor womb transplant: This is a less common approach because of the short ischemic time of the uterus. The uterus is harvested from a patient who died in the hospital, then transplanted into the recipient.
Who Can Undergo Uterus Transplant?
Any woman or assigned female at birth (AFAB) having uterine infertility can undergo a uterus transplant. But yes, specific criteria make a woman a desirable candidate for uterus transplant treatment in India. They are:
- The age of the woman lies between 20-40 years
- There are no active or recurring malignancies.
- Has a healthy body mass index
- Doesn’t have active infections like Hepatitis B & C or HIV
- Doesn’t smoke
- Has not been diagnosed with diabetes
Who Is An Ideal Donor For Uterine Transplant?
To be eligible to donate their uterus, a person must undergo many screening tests. An ideal candidate for a uterus transplant will be:
- The age of the woman lies between 30-50 years.
- There are no active or recurring cancer in her body (Cancer-free for 5+ years)
- Has a good body mass index
- No signs of hypertension or diabetes
- Negative for infections such as Hepatitis B & C, HIV, etc.
- Does not smoke
What Are The Screening Tests For Uterus Transplant Treatment in India?
There are several tests that a patient has to undergo to be eligible for uterus transplant treatment in India. These tests examine the woman’s overall health to ensure no complications post-surgery. The screening tests are:
- Medical history: A thorough assessment of your medical history is conducted to identify any pre-existing conditions that may interfere with the process of a uterus transplant.
- Physical examination: A physical exam is conducted by the health practitioner to ensure the individual is in good health for the transplant.
- Psychological evaluation: Apart from physical health, mental health is equally important. It is done to assess the woman’s emotional readiness for the procedure and pregnancy.
- Blood tests: Various blood tests evaluate a patient’s blood type, compatibility with potential donors, hormone levels, and overall health status.
- Imaging tests: Tests such as ultrasound, MRI, and CT Scan are conducted to evaluate the condition and structure of the uterus and the surrounding organs.
- Disease screening: Tests are done to look for infectious diseases such as hepatitis, HIV, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and other potential infections that could have a detrimental impact on the success of the womb transplant.
- Immunological Compatibility Testing: Compatibility testing determines whether the recipient’s immune system is compatible with the donor’s womb. Such tests will decrease the risk of rejection.
Apart from these tests, some hospitals may also conduct a social support evaluation. In this, the social environment and the support system are evaluated to ensure the woman has adequate support from the start to the end of the process.
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What Are The Risk Factors Associated With Womb Transplantation?
Like any other transplant surgery, a uterus transplant comes with its own set of risks. Some of them are:
- Organ rejection
- Side effects of Immunosuppressants like diabetes, Gastrointestinal disturbances, weight gain, hypertension, etc.
- Infections
- Blood clots
- Congenital disabilities or premature birth
Uterus Transplant Treatment Cost In India
The cost of a uterus transplant in India for international medical travelers ranges from $9000 to $12,000. This includes the cost of the surgery, the donor’s uterus, the recipient’s medical care, and the cost of living in India during the recovery period. The price can vary depending on the specific hospital and the type of surgery performed.
Top Uterus Transplant Treatment Hospitals In India
India is one of the leading countries in the world for uterus transplant treatment. Many top hospitals in India offer this procedure with high success rates. These hospitals have all performed successful uterus transplants, and they have a team of experienced doctors and surgeons who are experts in this procedure. GoMedii has compiled a list of top hospitals offering uterus transplant treatment in India for your convenience.
- Apollo Hospitals, Chennai
- BLK Super Specialty Hospital, Delhi
- Medanta the Medicity, Gurugram
- Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram
- Max Super Specialty Hospital, Saket, Delhi
- Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi
- Artemis Hospital, Gurugram
- Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai
- Apollo Gleneagles Hospital, Kolkata
- Fortis Malar, Hospitals, Chennai
If you are considering uterus transplant treatment in India, it is essential to do your research and choose a reputable hospital. The doctors and surgeons at these hospitals will be able to answer your questions and help you make the best decision for your health.
FAQs on Uterus Transplant Treatment in India
1. Can a transplanted uterus have a baby?
Yes, one can very much get pregnant after undergoing a uterus transplant. Many women who have undergone uterus transplant treatment were successfully able to get pregnant. The primary purpose of a womb transplant is to let a woman experiencing uterine-factor infertility experience the joy of motherhood.
2. What is the cost of uterus transplant treatment in India?
India is the fourth country in the world to perform a uterus transplant successfully. The cost of womb transplants in India ranges from $9000 to $12,000.
3. How many uterus transplants have been done?
Until now, 90 uterus transplants have been done worldwide, out of which 12 have been done in India. The 90 transplants have resulted in 50 child births around the globe.
4. Is uterus transplant possible in India?
Yes, uterus transplant is possible in India. India is one of the very few countries around the world where you can undergo uterus transplant at an affordable price compared to countries like the USA, Canada or Singapore.
The above article has been proofread by our in-house health expert Dr Alok Pandey, physician (MBBS).
Choose GoMedii for affordable Uterus Transplant Treatment in India
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