Fallopian tubes are two thin tubes, and they are the most important reproductive organs in the female. They act as a bridge between ovaries and the uterus. Roughly in the middle of a menstrual cycle, ovulation occurs, and eggs are released every month. These fallopian tubes help to carry the released eggs from the ovary to the uterus. Conception also takes place in this fallopian tube when the sperm fertilizes a released egg. Later the fertilized egg is moved to the uterus through the fallopian tube for implantation.
However, the whole process gets affected if there are any problems associated with these fallopian tubes. Fallopian tube blockage is one of the major issues where the passage for sperm to reach eggs and the passage for the fertilized egg to reach the uterus is also blocked. Medically it is termed as tubal occlusion and there were many reasons for the blockage of fallopian tubes. The good thing is, most of the conditions are treatable.
For nearly 30% of infertile women, the fallopian tube blockage is the cause of their infertility.
Causes And Symptoms Of Blocked Fallopian Tubes
Sometimes the fallopian tube might not block completely. In such cases, there is an increased risk of tubal pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy. Usually, ectopic pregnancy might not have any symptoms, but women experience one side body pain or vaginal bleeding in some cases.
Many women are not aware that they have this condition because blocked fallopian tubes cause symptoms rarely. If the symptoms persist, infertility is the first “symptom” of the blocked fallopian tubes. If you are unable to conceive even after a year of unprotected sex, then it better to consult a fertility doctor as soon as possible.
However, some blockage conditions show up symptoms, but every woman might not have the same type of symptoms. Hydrosalpinx(a kind of blocked fallopian tube) might cause lower abdominal pain and unusual vaginal discharge.
Endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease can also lead to blockage of fallopian tubes, and the symptoms of these conditions are:
- Painful menstruation
- Uncomfortable sexual intercourse
- Painful urination and bowel movements
- Lower back pain
- Heavy periods
- Fatigue
- Severe abdominal pain
If the pelvic infection is the cause of the blockage, then you might experience symptoms like:
- Normal pelvic pain
- Painful sexual intercourse
- Foul-smelling discharge from the vagina
- High fever(in case of acute)
- nausea, vomiting, and severe lower abdominal pain (in acute cases)
Acute pelvic infections cause life-threatening problems; consult a doctor immediately if you experience the above symptoms.
Some other causes of fallopian tube blockage are:
- Sexually transmitted infections(STI’s) like especially chlamydia or gonorrhoea
- Previous uterine infections due to abortion or miscarriages
- Fibroids
- History of a ruptured appendix
- Having abdominal surgery in the past
- History of ectopic pregnancy
- History of any surgery involving the fallopian tubes
- Treatment for Blocked Fallopian Tubes
If you consult our best fertility doctors in Hyderabad at Angels Fertility Clinic, we can help you diagnose the problem. If you are diagnosed with one blocked fallopian tube, and the other is open, you may have more chances of getting pregnant easily. Our fertility expert suggests some fertility drugs to improve the chances of ovulating for the open fallopian tube. This is an option only when you have a single fallopian tube blocked.
In some cases, the fertilized egg finds it hard to move through the blockage to the uterus. In such conditions, a doctor may recommend IVF – in vitro fertilization if it is possible. IVF is a good option in case of significant scarring, endometriosis, or male factor infertility. But the decision is taken by the doctor whether surgical repair or IVF treatment suits you.
Laparoscopic Surgery
Laparoscopic surgery can unblock the fallopian tubes. This is more effective if you have minimal scar tissue or adhesions. The success rate of laparoscopy in this condition also depends on age (the younger, the better), severity & place of the blockage, and cause of the blockage.
Surgery to repair damaged fallopian tubes
If your fallopian tubes are affected by an ectopic pregnancy or any other infection, they may be fixed through surgical intervention. If a blockage is due to the damage of a small portion of the tube, the surgeon removes the infected part, and the healthy parts are connected.
If your fallopian tubes are blocked, you have a chance of 20% to 40% to get pregnant after surgery. Some people undergo tubal ligation surgery, permanent birth control surgery. However, it can also be reversed, and chances of conception are also very high.
If you are having any conception problems, consult our top fertility doctors in Hyderabad at Angels Fertility Clinic. We can help you out whether the problem is in you or in your partner. We have helped thousands of couples to fulfil their dream of making a happy family with a baby.