Possible causes of Blocked or Damaged Fallopian Tubes

First of all, what are fallopian tubes? Fallopian tubes are also known as uterine tubes; tubes that stretch from uterus to ovaries and are a part of female reproductive system; when the egg is fertilized it passes through fallopian tubes from ovaries to uterus. A mature egg from the ovaries must travel through these tubes to reach the uterus, where it can be fertilized and implanted into the uterine wall.

When a fallopian tube gets blocked, the route for sperm to get to the eggs, as well as the path back to the uterus for the fertilized egg, is blocked, hence creates hindrance in getting pregnant. If the fallopian tubes are damaged or blocked, the odds of conception are significantly decreased.

There are many potential causes of infertility in women. One common cause of female factor infertility is a blocked

or damaged fallopian tube. 

Now let’s see what are the possible causes of blocked or damaged fallopian tubes:

The most common cause of damaged or blocked fallopian tubes is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is the result of a sexually transmitted infection that spreads from the vagina to the uterus and fallopian tubes. Other pelvic infections not related to STDs may also cause fallopian tube damage. Causes of blockages and other damage to the fallopian tubes include:·

• Other pelvic infections
• Current or history of an STD infection,specifically gonorrhea or chlamydia
• Uterine infection caused by miscarriage
• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• History of ectopic pregnancy
• Previous surgery involving fallopian tubes
• History of a ruptured appendix 

How it can be diagnosed:

If your doctor suspects you have blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, they will order a test called a hysterosalpingogram (HSG). This is an imaging test done using a type of x-ray image called a fluoroscope. The doctor uses a speculum and an instrument called a cannula to access the cervix and fill the uterus with a special contrast liquid that contains iodine. The doctor uses the fluoroscope to watch the liquid enter the fallopian tubes. In a healthy and open tube, the contrast will travel the length of the tubes and spill out of the end. If thetube is blocked or damaged, the contrast will not reach the end or spill out.

An HSG is an effective tool for helping physicians diagnose tubal factor infertility. It is also not as invasive as some other procedures and women usually only experience mild cramping for a short period before returning to normal activities. 

How to treat blocked fallopian tubes to get pregnant:

1. IVF

In vitro fertilization (IVF) may make conception possible for women with blocked fallopian tubes. In fact, IVF was first developed for this exact purpose. Because the eggs are retrieved directly from the ovaries, the fallopian tubes are bypassed altogether. That is why IVF is usually the first treatment option for this type of female infertility. Also, it is more affordable, significantly less intrusive and results are instant.

2. Surgery

If IVF alone is not a viable treatment for blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, surgery may be an option. Surgery is not right for every woman, so you should talk with your doctors about the risks and benefits of each procedure. Often, these surgeries are performed laparoscopically through small incisions in the abdomen. 

We at Shantah IVF Centre are dedicated to helping you come up with a plan to grow your family that works for you. We take each patient’s individual circumstances into account when planning fertility treatments. To get started on your fertility journey, call us on +91 11 41040956 or +91 9958466687 and you can also connect with us through our Facebook page and we will be in touch to arrange a consultation.