What Are the Main Causes of Blocked Fallopian Tubes?

Fallopian tubes are a part of the female reproductive system. It forms a path between the uterus and ovaries. This reproductive organ forms the basis of pregnancy. Each month during ovulation, the fallopian tubes transport an egg from the uterus and position it in the ovary. If the sperm fertilizes the egg in the fallopian tubes, it travels across the ovaries for implantation. Blocked fallopian tubes result in blocked passage for the sperm to reach the egg and the return way to the uterus for the fertilized egg.

Tubal occlusion can cause infertility since it is the path where the sperm fertilizes the egg. If both fallopian tubes are blocked in a female, then getting pregnant would not be possible without treatment. If you have concerns about female infertility, blocked fallopian tubes can be a cause. There are fertility specialists who can address your concerns and suggest the proper treatment.

This blog will dive into the major causes of tubal occlusion and what are their treatments (if any). Also, it will address the effect of blocked fallopian tubes on fertility.

Causes of Obstructed Fallopian Tubes

Pelvic adhesions or scar tissues are referred to as blocked (or prevented) fallopian tubes. Many factors can cause this phenomenon. They are as follows:

• Endometriosis In the fallopian tubes, endometrial tissues can form, which causes an obstruction. These tissues can build up outside either reproductive organs, thereby blocking the fallopian tubes.
• Inflammatory Disease Inflammatory disease in the pelvic area can lead to scarring. This is also known as hydrosalpinx.
• Fibroids These are growths that can obstruct fallopian tubes. The chances of tubal occlusion are higher when these growths are stuck to the uterus.
• Post-Abdominal Surgery After surgery, adhesions can form on the fallopian tubes, which leads to blockage.
• STIs or Sexually Transmitted Infections Gonorrhea or chlamydia are sexually transmitted infections that can cause obstructed fallopian tubes.

What is the Effect of Blocked Fallopian Tubes on Fertility?

Infertility can arise from blocked fallopian tubes. If there’s a blockage, the sperm and egg cannot meet in the fallopian tubes for fertilization. If the fallopian tubes are partially blocked, there’s a chance of conception. However, if the fallopian tubes are totally blocked, the chances of a female getting pregnant become difficult without treatment.

The condition of tubal occlusion makes it difficult for the fertilized egg to travel back to the uterus. In such cases, fertility specialists would recommend medical treatments like IVF or In-vitro Fertilization. However, that depends on the blockage of the fallopian tubes. In case there is an obstruction in one fallopian tube, there might not be any difficulty in conceiving, as the fertilized egg can still go back to the uterus. With fertility drugs, your chances of ovulation would increase on the other fallopian tube. The one that shows no sign of blockage.

How to Diagnose Blocked Fallopian Tubes?

HSG or hysterosalpingography is a specialized X-ray that is used to detect blockages inside the fallopian tubes. The doctor would put a dye in the uterus and fallopian tube when HSG takes place. With the help of this dye, the doctor could monitor the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes more deeply. Doctors do HCGs within the first half of the menstrual cycle. There are no serious side effects of this X-ray. However, false-positive results can take place.

Even after a hysterosalpingography, if the doctor cannot diagnose the blockage in the fallopian tubes, then they can go for laparoscopy. During this process, if the medical practitioner finds the obstruction, they can remove it, given the chance.

Treatments For Blocked Fallopian Tubes

Doctors can consider doing laparoscopic surgery if small amounts of adhesions or scar tissues obstruct the fallopian tubes. If pelvic infections or ectopic pregnancies damage the fallopian tubes, surgery may be an alternative. If a part of the fallopian tubes is damaged, doctors can surgically remove the damaged area and connect the healthy parts.

Blocked Fallopian Tubes and Pregnancy Possibilities

Post-treatment of the blocked fallopian tubes, the chances of conceiving increase. However, the severity of the blockage and the treatment method will determine your chances of getting pregnant. If the blockage builds up around the uterus, your chances of conception are higher. However, if the blockage is near the rear end of the fallopian tube, near the ovaries, success rates of treatments are low.

Risks Associated with Blocked Fallopian Tubes

Ectopic pregnancy is one risk associated with tubal occlusion. If an egg is fertilized and travels through the fallopian tubes, which are partially blocked, it gets stuck in the fallopian tubes during its journey itself. This condition can lead to a medical emergency, also known as ectopic pregnancy.

Alternatives to Surgery For Blocked Fallopian Tubes

Since surgical treatments have complications like ectopic pregnancy, it is better to switch to IVF. It is a medical treatment that completely bypasses the egg fertilization in the fallopian tubes. Instead, the sperm and egg are combined in a petri dish and then in an incubator. This medical procedure is common everywhere in the world and success rates are much higher compared to surgically removing the damaged parts of fallopian tubes.

How ReproArt Fertility Can Help Women With Blocked Fallopian Tubes?

The surgical treatments for tubal occlusion come with a great deal of risks. Thus, to ensure a safe pregnancy, doctors recommend IVF. If you’re considering an IVF centre in Ghaziabad, ReproArt Fertility is a viable option. Why?

• Skilled fertility specialists: At ReproArt Fertility, we have Dr Ratnaboli Bhattacharya as the founder, who is a celebrated IVF specialist. Also, we have a team of many skilled fertility specialists who offer safe and easy fertility treatment to childless couples.
• High success rate: In terms of the success rate for our fertility treatments, it is about 80%. Hence, if you have any concerns related to infertility, you know your one-stop solution.
• State-of-the-Art Technology: Be it your concern about blocked fallopian tubes, or low sperm count, our cutting-edge equipment and technological innovations will diagnose all your problems, ensuring the right treatment.

Conclusion

There are various reasons for blocked fallopian tubes. This includes fibroids, endometriosis, and many other factors. Because of severe blockages in the fallopian tubes, many women face difficulty in getting pregnant. While surgical procedures are there, it also increases many complications. Hence, doctors suggest in-vitro fertilization (IVF), which is a popular fertility treatment and is also safe.

FAQ

Q1. Can one blocked fallopian tube hinder my pregnancy journey?

If one of the fallopian tubes is blocked, the duration that takes place to conceive might elaborate. In case of a blocked fallopian tube, there’s still a chance for the eggs to be fertilized in the other healthy fallopian tube.

Q2. Is there any way to avoid blocked fallopian tubes?

In many cases, it is not in your capacity to avoid blocked fallopian tubes. However, STIs are one cause of blocked fallopian tubes. For this, you can prevent having unprotected sex.

Q3. Is there any risk involved if I surgically remove the blocked parts of the fallopian tubes?

Some surgeries can remove the blocked parts of the fallopian tubes, as the blockages are not very severe. If there’s a severity, then it can lead to ectopic pregnancy.

Q4. What is the alternative to surgery for blocked fallopian tubes?

In-vitro Fertilization or IVF is an effective alternative to surgery for blocked fallopian tubes.