The fallopian tubes are a woman’s reproductive organ that connects the ovaries to the uterus. Fully functional and open fallopian tubes are extremely important to a woman’s ability to become pregnant. That’s because the fallopian tubes are where sperm fertilizes the egg, then an embryo travels to implant in the uterus. Blocked fallopian tubes can prevent a woman from getting pregnant by interfering with the movement of sperm to the egg or the fertilized egg to the uterus. If both fallopian tubes are blocked, the chance of normal pregnancy estimates. If only one fallopian tube is blocked the chance of pregnancy is 50%. Blocked fallopian tubes are one of the common causes of infertility.
What are the symptoms of blocked fallopian tubes?
Most women don’t know their fallopian tubes are blocked until they have an infertility exam. Other than infertility, some symptoms of blocked fallopian tubes include:
- Pelvic pain
- Painful intercourse
- Painful urination
- Painful bowel movements
- Severe abdominal pain
- Lower back pain
- Heavy periods or spotting between periods
What are the causes of blocked fallopian tubes?
- Pelvic infection
- Previous abdominal surgery
- Previous ruptured appendix
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Endometriosis
- Hydrosalpinx
How are blocked Fallopian tubes diagnosed?
- HSG (hysterosalpingography)
- Hysteroscopy
- Laparoscopy
- Treatment for blocked fallopian tubes.
Treatment may vary depending on the cause of the blockage, the age of the woman, egg reserve and sperm parameters. Laparoscopic Salpingostomy surgery can be performed if the woman’s age is under 35, if the egg reserve is good, and if there is no male factor. Pregnancy can be planned 6 months after salpingostomy surgery. The chance of a natural pregnancy after salpingostomy surgery is about 60%.
