Fallopian tubes are an important part of the female reproductive system because they connect the ovaries to the uterus. Blockage of these tubes prevents the meeting of sperm and egg and can be a potential reason for delayed pregnancy, conception, and infertility.
Understanding the medical treatments and alternate options for successful pregnancy helps to have a baby even with blocked fallopian tubes.Â
So, keep exploring this article and make informed decisions instead of worrying about blocked fallopian tubes.
Medical Treatments for Blocked Fallopian Tubes
Thankfully, many non-surgical and surgical treatments are available to treat the blocked fallopian tubes. But don’t want to know how the fallopian tubes get blocked? Does it happen by birth?Â
First, let’s know why fallopian tubes are blocked and continue with treatments.
Reasons for Fallopian Tube Blockage
Fibroids: These are excessive growth of tissues developed within the fallopian tubes, which causes obstructions in the fallopian tubes.Â
Pelvic inflammatory diseases: PID pelvis infection can cause scar tissue that results in fallopian tube blockage.Â
History of ectopic pregnancy: If a woman is diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy in the past, she might experience fallopian tube blockage.Â
Endometriosis: This is a condition where the tissues that form within the uterus also start developing outside the uterus. It leads to cysts and scar tissue formation around the fallopian tubes, which block the tube.Â
Sexually transmitted diseases: Certain STIs, such as gonorrhea and chlamydia, lead to the formation of excessive tissues and pelvic inflammation. This leads to blockage of the fallopian tube.Â
Tubal ligation: This is a procedure for permanent family planning in which doctors tie the fallopian tubes to prevent pregnancy.Â
Prior abdominal or pelvic surgery: Previous surgery can be the reason for fallopian tube blockage.
In addition, women can’t identify that their fallopian tubes are blocked until they are trying to conceive. So, women can approach the fertility expert to check whether there is a blockage in the fallopian tube.Â
Diagnosis of tubal blockage
Diagnosis is important to identify the reasons and treat the blockage of fallopian tubes. Here is a popular diagnosis method to detect the fallopian tube blockage.Â
Hysterosalpingogram HSGÂ
This is an X-ray dye test used to detect fertility-related problems. The reproductive organs, such as the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes, will be filled with a special dye. The X-ray images help healthcare providers to spot issues in the reproductive system.Â
Make sure to avoid HSG if you have a pelvic infection, as it is not recommended. Therefore, contact your gynecologist to perform an HSG and know about the fallopian damage.Â
Bubble TestÂ
This ultrasound procedure includes fluids with bubbles, which will be injected into the uterine cavity and the fallopian tubes. These bubbles are highly visible under the ultrasound, so the doctor can see through clearly and determine the blockage area.Â
Non-Surgical Treatments for Unblocking Fallopian Tubes
Once you spot the exact reason for a blocked fallopian tube, you can opt for surgical or non-surgical methods. A few non-surgical treatments are minimally invasive, and the recovery time might be shorter.
Tubal cannulation
Tubal cannulation is a minimally invasive procedure; a catheter will be inserted into the fallopian tube to remove the blockage.Â
Ultrasound scans and X-rays help doctors find the blockage position accurately and unblock it.
Tubal recanalization
With tubal recanalization, doctors can reopen at least any one of the blocked fallopian tubes around 90% of the time. Tubal recanalization is nothing but reopening the blocked fallopian tubes.Â
These are the steps doctors follow in this process,Â
- They will insert a speculum into the vagina and visualize the cervix region.Â
- Then, it moves slightly through the cervix into the uterus, and a liquid catheter is injected through the catheter (HSG diagnosis testing).Â
- Doctors use an X-ray camera to monitor the dye flow and observe the uterine cavity.Â
- Identify whether there is an obstruction in any of the fallopian tubes and start assessing the blockages.
- Once doctors detect the blockage, they insert a small catheter through the initial one to clear the obstruction.
Surgical Options for Unblocking Fallopian Tubes
Similar to non-invasive procedures, there are some surgical options available for unblocking fallopian tubes.
Laparoscopic or hysteroscopic surgery
Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive process to repair the blocked fallopian tubes. In laparoscopic surgery, doctors insert a small telescope through a small cut in the belly button. The usual recovery time for laparoscopy is two or three days.Â
In hysteroscopic surgery, doctors insert the telescope through the cervix, and the recovery time is around 24 hours.
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) as Alternatives
Yes! Choosing assisted reproductive technologies as an alternative is really a good choice to increase the conception chances.Â
The primary goal of ARTs is to improve the chances of conception and pregnancy for those who are struggling to conceive naturally. One of the very popular and successful assisted reproductive technologies is in vitro fertilization, which can be used to treat women with blocked fallopian tubes.Â
This takes place because the doctors can completely skip the fallopian tubes while doing IVF treatment. In the in vitro fertilization procedure, fertility specialists collect the egg directly from the ovary and fertilize it with sperm in a laboratory.Â
Then, a successful embryo transfer occurs, where the fertilized egg will be placed into the uterus. On the other hand, patients undergoing in vitro fertilization should understand that the success of IVF depends on various factors. They are,Â
- AgeÂ
- Sperm and egg qualityÂ
- Lifestyle habitsÂ
- Embryo quality and viabilityÂ
- Number of transferred embryosÂ
- Underlying health condition
Women with fallopian damage can consult a fertility expert to find out whether they are eligible to undergo IVF treatments. Doctors check their body condition and proceed further only when a woman’s body is ready to accept the stimulating medicines and others.
Fertility Outcomes after Unblocking Fallopian Tubes
Fallopian tube blockage prevents the fertilization of sperm and egg, which makes pregnancy impossible. Once the blocked fallopian tubes are treated, couples can expect a happy pregnancy. Â
However, you and your partner must understand that every individual’s body reacts differently to treatments or diseases. So, the chances of a successful pregnancy depend upon the treatment you undergo and the body condition.Â
There is a chance for conception if one fallopian tube is blocked or the tubes are partially blocked. And, when two fallopian tubes are blocked, there is no possibility of natural conception.Â
In this case, couples can opt for assisted reproductive techniques like IVF or ICSI, which might help them get pregnant.Â
Conclusion
Blockage of fallopian tubes is an insurmountable obstacle that a woman faces. However, you can restore fertility through proper diagnosis, treatments, and potential lifestyle changes.Â
Consult your healthcare provider to guide you on the right path. They can analyze your body and confirm whether you need surgical or non-surgical treatments.Â
FAQs
Unblocking fallopian tubes is possible; between 10 and 80 percent of women can successfully get pregnant.
Opening blocked fallopian tubes naturally isn’t possible. However, some people claim that following specific lifestyle habits and taking certain vitamins help to open the blocked fallopian tube naturally.Â
In this case, considering the doctor’s advice is the best thing you can follow to open the fallopian tubes.
No. Generally, the blockage of fallopian tubes can’t be cleared without medical treatment.Â
Doctors will check your body thoroughly and perform surgical or nonsurgical procedures to clear fallopian tube blockages.
