Healing after pregnancy or uterine surgery can lead to changes such as lighter periods, pelvic pain, or trouble conceiving. For women experiencing them, these symptoms raise questions about recovery and fertility: Is this a normal part of healing? Will I feel this way forever? Can I get pregnant again?
Two leading doctors, Dr. Leigh Rosen and Dr. Lucky Sekhon, recently shared how Asherman’s syndrome forms, how it’s treated, and what healing looks like. You can read the top five takeaways below and watch the full discussion here.
1. Asherman’s syndrome develops when scar tissue forms inside the uterus.
Asherman’s syndrome occurs when scar tissue, called intrauterine adhesions, causes the uterine walls to stick together. Adhesions can result from procedures such as dilation and curettage (D&C), uterine surgery, or infection.
When the uterine lining cannot rebuild or shed normally, patients may experience very light or absent periods, cramping, or infertility. Dr. Leigh Rosen explains that these adhesions can block menstrual flow or prevent embryos from implanting. The more scar tissue there is, the more likely it is that the patient will experience undesirable symptoms and complications.
Learn more about how doctors determine the severity of Asherman’s syndrome.
2. Risk is highest after pregnancy or uterine surgery.
The most common cause of Asherman’s syndrome is a D&C after childbirth or miscarriage, when the uterine lining is most fragile. Repeated uterine procedures or hysteroscopic fibroid removals can also put a patient at higher risk.
Dr. Rosen stresses that, regardless of the cause, Asherman’s syndrome is not the patient’s fault. Many people must undergo uterine surgery following pregnancy. The risk for adhesions is simply greater when the uterus is healing.
3. Gentle, camera-guided techniques help prevent scarring.
Prevention begins with precision. During procedures inside the uterus, surgeons use hysteroscopy to visualize and treat specific areas when possible, such as during polyp or fibroid removal. This approach, which involves inserting a small camera through the vagina and into the uterus, protects healthy tissue and significantly lowers the risk of scarring.
Dr. Sekhon and Dr. Rosen believe that precision during polyp or fibroid removal is the best safeguard against adhesions.
4. Treatment focuses on restoring the uterine cavity and protecting healing.
Once Asherman’s is diagnosed, specially trained surgeons gently release scar tissue using hysteroscopic instruments. Dr. Rosen uses small scissors passed through the hysteroscope to precisely cut away adhesions and preserve healthy endometrium. After surgery, she places a small intrauterine Foley balloon to keep the uterine walls from adhering again while they heal.
5. Fertility care and surgical timing work hand in hand.
For patients hoping to conceive, the coordination between the surgical and fertility teams is crucial. Once adhesions are removed, the uterus should be reassessed quickly so that pregnancy attempts or embryo transfer can occur before new scar tissue forms.
Dr. Sekhon points out that the uterus changes over time, so ongoing monitoring ensures the cavity remains healthy. Acting within a few months of surgery often leads to the best reproductive outcomes.
Your Next Step Toward Healing
Both Dr. Leigh Rosen and Dr. Lucky Sekhon emphasize that recovery from Asherman’s syndrome is absolutely possible with the right care plan. Restoring uterine function is about more than removing scar tissue—it’s about rebuilding confidence, comfort, and fertility.
If you’re navigating an Asherman’s syndrome diagnosis or recovery, keep these guidelines in mind:
- Watch for changes. Lighter or missing periods after uterine procedures should be evaluated early.
- Choose experienced providers. Seek a surgeon who performs hysteroscopic reconstruction regularly and uses gentle, camera-guided methods.
- Ask about prevention. Balloons, estrogen therapy, and antibiotics are often-used tools for protecting healing.
- Coordinate closely. Work with both your surgeon and fertility specialist to plan your timeline together.
- Stay hopeful. With expert care, many patients regain normal cycles and go on to have healthy pregnancies.
Ready to take the next step? Our team at ESSE Care is here to help you heal with clarity and confidence. Reach out today.
