Overview

Fallopian tubes are female reproductive organs that connect the ovaries and the uterus. Every month during ovulation, which occurs roughly in the middle of a menstrual bicycle, the fallopian tubes acquit an egg from an ovary to the uterus.

Conception also happens in the fallopian tube. If an egg is fertilized by sperm, it moves through the tube to the uterus for implantation.

If a fallopian tube is blocked, the passage for sperm to get to the eggs, too as the path back to the uterus for the fertilized egg, is blocked. Common reasons for blocked fallopian tubes include scar tissue, infection, and pelvic adhesions.

Symptoms of blocked fallopian tubes

Blocked fallopian tubes don't often cause symptoms. Many women don't know they have blocked tubes until they try to go pregnant and have trouble.

In some cases, blocked fallopian tubes tin lead to mild, regular pain on one side of the abdomen. This commonly happens in a type of blockage called a hydrosalpinx. This is when fluid fills and enlarges a blocked fallopian tube.

Weather condition that can lead to a blocked fallopian tube can cause their own symptoms. For example, endometriosis often causes very painful and heavy periods and pelvic pain. Information technology tin increase your hazard for blocked fallopian tubes.

Effect on fertility

Blocked fallopian tubes are a common cause of infertility. Sperm and an egg meet in the fallopian tube for fertilization. A blocked tube can forestall them from joining.

If both tubes are fully blocked, pregnancy without treatment will be impossible. If the fallopian tubes are partially blocked, you can potentially get pregnant. All the same, the take a chance of an ectopic pregnancy increases.

This is because information technology'due south harder for a fertilized egg to motion through a blockage to the uterus. In these cases, your dr. might recommend in vitro fertilization (IVF), depending on whether handling is possible.

If only one fallopian tube is blocked, the blockage most probable won't touch fertility because an egg can still travel through the unaffected fallopian tube. Fertility drugs tin aid increase your run a risk of ovulating on the open up side.

Causes of blocked fallopian tubes

Fallopian tubes are commonly blocked by scar tissue or pelvic adhesions. These can be caused past many factors, including:

  • Pelvic inflammatory illness. This disease can cause scarring or hydrosalpinx.
  • Endometriosis. Endometrial tissue can build up in the fallopian tubes and cause a blockage. Endometrial tissue on the exterior of other organs can likewise cause adhesions that block the fallopian tubes.
  • Certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause scarring and lead to pelvic inflammatory affliction.
  • By ectopic pregnancy. This tin can scar the fallopian tubes.
  • Fibroids. These growths tin cake the fallopian tube, particularly where they attach to the uterus.
  • By abdominal surgery. Past surgery, peculiarly on the fallopian tubes themselves, can pb to pelvic adhesions that block the tubes.

Y'all can't forestall many causes of blocked fallopian tubes. However, you tin can decrease your adventure of STIs by using a rubber during sex.

Diagnosing a blocked fallopian tube

Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is a type of X-ray used to examine the inside of fallopian tubes to help diagnose blockages. During HSG, your dr. introduces a dye into your uterus and fallopian tubes.

The dye helps your medico run across more of the inside of your fallopian tubes on the Ten-ray. An HSG can usually be washed in your doctor's function. It should take place within the get-go half of your menstrual bicycle. Side furnishings are rare, but false positive results are possible.

If the HSG doesn't assistance your doctor make a definitive diagnosis, they tin use laparoscopy for farther evaluation. If the doctor finds a blockage during the procedure, they might remove it, if possible.

Treating blocked fallopian tubes

If your fallopian tubes are blocked by small-scale amounts of scar tissue or adhesions, your doctor can use laparoscopic surgery to remove the blockage and open the tubes.

If your fallopian tubes are blocked by large amounts of scar tissue or adhesions, treatment to remove the blockages may not be possible.

Surgery to repair tubes damaged past ectopic pregnancy or infection may be an option. If a blockage is caused because part of the fallopian tube is damaged, a surgeon tin remove the damaged role and connect the two healthy parts.

The possibility of pregnancy

Information technology'due south possible to get pregnant following treatment for blocked fallopian tubes. Your chances for pregnancy will depend on the treatment method and severity of the block.

A successful pregnancy is more than likely when the blockage is near the uterus. Success rates are lower if the blockage is at the end of the fallopian tube near the ovary.

The gamble of getting pregnant after surgery for tubes damaged past an infection or ectopic pregnancy is minor. Information technology depends on how much of the tube must be removed and what part is removed.

Talk to your physician before treatment to understand your chances for a successful pregnancy.

Complications of blocked fallopian tubes

The virtually common complication of blocked fallopian tubes and treatment is ectopic pregnancy. If a fallopian tube is partially blocked, an egg may exist able to exist fertilized, merely information technology may get stuck in the tube. This results in an ectopic pregnancy, which is a medical emergency.

Surgery that removes part of the fallopian tube also increases the chance of ectopic pregnancy. Because of these risks, doctors often recommend IVF instead of surgery for women with blocked fallopian tubes who are otherwise healthy.

Outlook for this condition

Blocked fallopian tubes can crusade infertility, only it'south nonetheless possible to have a child. In many cases, laparoscopic surgery can remove the blockage and improve fertility. If surgery isn't possible, IVF tin assistance y'all conceive if y'all're otherwise good for you.

You'll find additional information about infertility at these resources:

  • Resolve.org
  • Fertility Appreciation Collaborative
  • Fertility.org