How Blocked Fallopian Tubes is a Reason for Infertility in Women?
If you are trying to get pregnant, you probably know that there are many parts of your body that have to function right. Like the ovaries required to create an egg every month, the uterus must be in fine shape, and fallopian tubes must be open.
Suppose any one of these essential parts is not working perfectly. You might face trouble having a baby. One of the most common reasons for infertility in women is problems with the fallopian tubes.
Fallopian tubes are the essential reproductive organs in females which connect the uterus to the ovaries. Usually, women do not experience any symptoms with blocked fallopian tubes.
Many women believe that their fertility is fine if they are having normal regular periods. But This isn’t always correct.
If fallopian tubes are blocked, the sperm will not be capable to reach the egg, and the fertilized egg also will not be able to bring into the uterus.
In this article, we will take a closer look at how fallopian tubes work? How blocked fallopian tubes affect fertility? What are the treatments for blocked fallopian tubes? And much more.
So, let’s begin!
The Work of Fallopian Tubes -
The fallopian tubes are two thin tubes which are placed one on each side of the uterus. The prior work of the fallopian tubes is to transport eggs from the ovaries to the uterus.
Every month at the time of ovulation, an ovary releases an egg. The tubes carry an egg and gently move it to the uterus, where it meets the sperm.
Fertilization generally takes place while the egg is transiting through the tube. If an egg is fertilized by sperm, it is called an embryo and moves via the tube to the uterus for implantation.
When an obstacle stops the egg from travelling down the tube, it is because of a blocked fallopian tube, which is known as tubal factor infertility.
If one or both fallopian tubes are obstructed, the egg will not be able to reach the uterus. Also, the sperm won’t reach the egg which results in preventing fertilization and pregnancy.
It may possible that the tube is not blocked completely but only partially. This can raise the risk of tubal pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy.
Symptoms of Blocked Fallopian Tubes -
Blocked fallopian tubes rarely show any symptoms other than trouble conceiving. Many women do not even know they have blocked tubes until they attempt to get pregnant and get issues with it.
According to doctors, women have been trying to have a baby for at least one year without success. It can be possible because of clogged tubes.
Other than that, in some cases, blocked fallopian tubes can cause gentle, regular pain on one side of the abdomen and unusual vaginal discharge.
It happens due to a kind of blockage known as a hydrosalpinx. It is a condition when fluid fills and broadens a blocked fallopian tube. Though not every woman will experience these symptoms.
Additionally, some of the reasons for blocked fallopian tubes can have their own symptoms. Like endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease, it may cause painful monthly cycles and also difficult sexual intercourse.
Impact of Blocked Fallopian Tubes on Fertility -
Blocked fallopian tubes are a typical cause of infertility in women. A blocked tube can prevent sperm and an egg from meeting in the fallopian tube for fertilization.
If both tubes are entirely obstructed, then treatment has become essential to conceive. In the case of partially blocked fallopian tubes, a woman can probably get pregnant. But in this situation, the risk of an ectopic pregnancy increases.
This is because it’s really problematic for a fertilized egg to push through a blockage to the uterus. In such cases, the doctor might suggest taking surgeries like in vitro fertilization (IVF) or any other, depending on the woman’s condition.
Causes of Blocked Fallopian Tubes -
1. Pelvic Inflammatory Illness: This disease can induce scarring or hydrosalpinx.
2. Endometriosis: Endometrial tissue can grow up in the fallopian tubes and generates blockage. Also, this tissue can cause adhesions on the outside of other organs that result in clogging the fallopian tubes.
3. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Infections like chlamydia and gonorrhoea can produce scarring and lead to pelvic inflammatory disorder.
4. Earlier Ectopic Pregnancy: This has the potential to scar the fallopian tubes.
5. Fibroids: These growths have the ability to obstruct the fallopian tube, especially where they connect to the uterus.
6. Past Abdominal Area Surgery: Any past surgery, specifically on the fallopian tubes, might cause pelvic adhesions, which can block the tubes.
Diagnosis for a Blocked Fallopian Tube -
Hysterosalpingography (HSG) is a kind of X-ray used to explore the inner side of fallopian tubes and help to diagnose blockages. During HSG, a doctor injects a dye into the uterus and fallopian tubes.
The dye allows a doctor to see more inside of fallopian tubes on the X-ray. An HSG can be done in a doctor’s office. It should happen within the first half of the menstrual cycle. It has minimal negative effects, but false-positive results are possible.
If a doctor couldn’t make a definitive diagnosis with HSG, they can use laparoscopy for additional evaluation. In case the doctor discovers a blockage while the procedure, they might probably extract it.
Treatments for Blocked Fallopian Tubes -
Have a look at the following treatments that can help to open obstructed tubes and improve fertility:
1. Medicines: If one tube is open, it might be possible to get pregnant without too much help. Doctors can give you fertility medicines to improve the possibility of ovulating on the side with an open tube.
2. In Vitro Fertilization (IVF): In a condition of blockage of both tubes, it becomes essential to do surgery. IVF is the most suitable treatment for blocked fallopian tubes. It includes avoiding the repairing of tubes and proceeding straight to IVF.
This process possesses ovulation installation, egg recovery, fertilization, embryo transmission, and progesterone usage for two weeks following the transfer.
3. Laparoscopic Surgery: Laparoscopic surgery help to open blocked tubes or remove scar tissue. Sadly, this therapy does not always work.
The chance of success can rely on age, the seriousness of the blockage, and the cause of a blockage. If there are only a few adhesions between the tubes and the ovaries, the possibilities of conceiving after surgery are high.
The Possibility of Pregnancy -
It’s possible to get pregnant with the help of treatments for the blocked fallopian tubes. Your chances of conceiving will rely on the surgery process and the harshness of the blockage.
When the blockage is close to the uterus, the chances of a successful pregnancy increase. Clearly, success rates will reduce if the blockage is found at the end of the fallopian tube near the ovary.
When infection or ectopic pregnancy damages tubes, then the probability of getting pregnant after surgery becomes limited.
It depends on how much the tube has to be removed and which area. Before starting treatment, speak to your doctor about the certainty and uncertainty of conceiving a baby.
Wrapping Up -
Hope after reading this article, you will understand what fallopian tubes are? And how do they play a vital role to have a child?
Blocked fallopian tubes are not a case which cannot be cured. Today multiple technologies are evolving in the medical field that can help such couples dealing with this severe crisis.
If you are also facing any difficult situation like this then don’t be stressed too much and get help from the best fertility-enhancing hospitals and doctors.
Try to talk to your gynecologist about all possibilities, whether the pregnancy is possible with medicines or surgeries like IVF.
If you have further questions about fallopian tubes you can comment to us we will help you with your inquiries.
