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Blocked Fallopian Tubes
- Home » Blocked Fallopian Tubes
- Kaberi Banerjee
What Are Blocked Fallopian Tubes?
Fallopian tubes are female reproductive organs connecting the ovaries to the uterus. With a fallopian tube blockage, the sperm can’t travel to the egg for fertilization.
Every month, a process called ovulation occurs roughly in the middle of the menstrual cycle. During ovulation, the ovaries release the egg that travels to the uterus via the fallopian tubes. If a sperm fertilizes an egg, it moves through the tube to the uterus for implantation.
There are also situations where the tube becomes blocked after fertilization, meaning the fertilized egg can’t reach the uterus for implantation.
Effect on Fertility
Obstructed fallopian tubes are a common cause of infertility. As explained, the sperm and an egg must meet in the fallopian tube for fertilization. A blocked tube can prevent them from joining.
If both tubes are fully blocked, pregnancy without treatment is impossible. If the fallopian tubes are partially blocked, you can potentially get pregnant, but the likelihood is significantly reduced without the treatment of the blocked tube.
If only one fallopian tube is blocked, the blockage most likely won’t affect fertility. An egg can still travel through the unaffected fallopian tube when ovulating on that side. There are specific fertility drugs and treatment plans to help increase your chance of ovulating on the open side.
Causes of Blocked Fallopian Tubes
Fallopian tubes are usually blocked by scar tissue or pelvic adhesions. These can be caused by many factors, including:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease: This medical condition can result in scarring or hydrosalpinx.
- Endometriosis: Endometrial tissue can accumulate in the fallopian tubes, leading to blockages. Endometrial tissue on the outside of other organs can also cause adhesions that block the fallopian tubes.
- Certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Some STIs, such as Chlamydia and gonorrhea, can cause scarring and lead to pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Previous Ectopic Pregnancies: This can scar the fallopian tubes.
- Fibroids: These can block the fallopian tube, particularly where they attach to the uterus.
- Previous Abdominal Surgery: Previous surgeries, especially on the fallopian tubes, can lead to pelvic adhesions that block the tubes.
Diagnosis of Blocked Fallopian Tube
One of the common methods of diagnosing a blocked fallopian tube is Hysterosalpingography. It’s a special type of X-ray that uses dye to see the womb and fallopian tubes. Using this method, we can investigate the shape of the uterine cavity and the shape and patency of the fallopian tubes.
Another option is Laparoscopy and chromotubation surgeries. They’re performed for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes in women with infertility. Chromopertubation infuses dye through the fallopian tubes to assess tubal patency. Spillage of the dye from each tube is noted as a confirmation of tubal patency. Conversely, the absence of dye leakage can confirm a blocked fallopian tube.
| Hysterosalpingography | Laparoscopy |
· Less expensive · No need of GA · Painful · Errors in Reporting · Screening Test · Only Tubal Flushing · Cannot treat any other pathologies | • Expensive • Invasive • General Anesthesia • Accurate • Gold Standard • Corrective Procedures • Useful for PCOS, Endometriosis etc |
Treatment of Obstructed Fallopian Tubes
If one of the causes of obstructed fallopian tubes is small amounts of scar tissue or adhesions, a laparoscopic surgery can be performed to remove the blockage and open the tubes. Medical treatments, such as anti-tubercular and pelvic inflammatory disease treatments, may also be useful.
If the fallopian tubes are blocked by large amounts of scar tissue or adhesions, treatment to remove the blockages may not be possible. If that’s the case, at Advance Fertility, our expert fertility doctors can help create a personalized fertility plan.
Surgery to repair tubes damaged by ectopic pregnancy or infection may be an option. If a blockage is caused because part of the fallopian tube is damaged, a surgeon can remove the damaged part and connect the two healthy parts.
A successful pregnancy is more likely when the blockage is near the uterus (cornual end). Success rates are lower if the blockage is at the end of the fallopian tube near the ovary. The chances for pregnancy will depend on the severity and location of the block as well as the treatment method.
Complications of Obstructed Fallopian Tubes
The most common complication is if one of the causes of blocked fallopian tubes is ectopic pregnancy. If a fallopian tube is partially blocked, an egg may be able to be fertilized, but it may get stuck in the tube. This results in an ectopic pregnancy, which can be a medical and surgical emergency.
Surgery that removes part of the fallopian tube also increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy. Because of these risks, doctors often recommend IVF instead of surgery for women with obstructed fallopian tubes who are otherwise healthy.
| IVF | Tubal Surgery |
• Expensive • Many times • More Successful • Less chances of Ectopic • More appropriate in cases of advanced age and male factor | • Less Expensive • One time • Only Successful in few cases • More chances of Ectopic • More appropriate in younger women with no other associated factor |
Fallopian tube tests are essential to evaluate infertility. Not all tests have the same amount of accuracy. Laparoscopy is invasive, but it’s the gold standard and can also be corrective. In many cases, laparoscopic surgery can repair the blockage and improve fertility. If surgery isn’t successful, IVF can help you conceive. IVF is also appropriate in cases of advanced age and male factor.
Our team is ready to help. If you’re concerned you’re experiencing blocked fallopian tubes symptoms or think it’s the reason you’re struggling to conceive, please call us on +91-9871250235 or write to contact@advancefertility.in. We’re more than happy to assist you.