Women without appendix 'more fertile', study finds

Women who have had their appendix or tonsils removed appear to be more fertile, BBC News reports, citing a 15-year study.

The researchers, at the University of Dundee, analysed medical records from more than half a million British women.

They argue the operations could directly affect fertility or there may be a "behavioural" explanation.

Experts said the findings might lead to new treatments, but advised women not to have their tonsils and appendix taken out unnecessarily.

The study found that for every 100 pregnancies in women who had had no procedures there were:

-  134 pregnancies in women who had had their appendix removed

-  149 pregnancies in women who had had their tonsils removed

-  and 143 pregnancies in women who had had both removed

One of the researchers, Dr Sami Shimi, said most doctors were wrongly taught that having an appendix removed damaged fertility.

He told BBC News: "This [study] is very important in reassuring young women that appendicectomy will not reduce their chances of future pregnancy.

"More importantly, looking at both the appendix and tonsils together, this study confirms beyond doubt that removal of inflamed organs or organs likely to suffer from repeated inflammation, in women, improves their chances of pregnancy."