Women needing their appendix removed should not fear it will reduce their chances of falling pregnant, say UK researchers.
A new 15-year British study has surprisingly found that women who had their tonsils or appendix removed when they were young are more likely to get pregnant.
The reasons behind the link are not fully understood but the findings go against previous theories in medicine that these surgeries reduce a woman's fertility due to scar tissue forming around the fallopian tubes.
Researchers at the University of Dundee analysed the medical records of more than 530,000 women across the UK and found pregnancy rates to be higher among women who had their tonsils and appendix removed.
The rate of pregnancy among women who had an appendectomy or tonsillectomy were 54 per cent and 53 per cent, respectively, according to the research.
The rate was even higher for women who had both procedures, at 59.7 per cent.
This is significantly higher than the pregnancy rate among women who still had their tonsils and appendix, which was 43.7 per cent.
It's hoped the findings will reassure women who need these surgeries.
"This scientifically challenges the myth of the effect of appendectomy on fertility. What we have to establish now is exactly why that is the case," said Sami Shimi, who led the study.
Although a biological cause is possible, the researchers believe that the cause is more likely to be behavioural, with further studies now being conducted to find an explanation.
Mr Shimi said that the findings should, however, not be taken as a sign that women should seek an appendectomy or tonsillectomy thinking it would increase their chances of becoming pregnant.
"This research does not mean that removing a normal appendix directly increases fertility," said Mr Shimi.
"It does however mean that young women who need to have their appendix removed can do so without fear of the risk on future fertility."
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