Blocked Fallopian Tube Sign, Diagnosis and Treatment Centre in Delhi
Fallopian tubes are connectors between the ovaries and uterus that help transportation of eggs during ovulation. It is where the fertilization of gametes (egg and sperm) takes place in the female reproductive tract. Blockage of these tubes can hamper the movement of gametes and the fertilization process.
Signs and Symptoms
Blocked fallopian tubes often cause no symptoms and are undetected until one experiences trouble in conceiving.
Sometimes, blocked fallopian tubes can cause hydrosalpinx (a condition where filled fluid causes enlargement of the fallopian tube). This condition can lead to mild pain on a particular side of the pelvic region.
Blockage of fallopian tubes caused due to pelvic adhesions, genital tuberculosis, or endometriosis can cause severe pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, etc.
Another common issue with blocked fallopian tubes is infertility problems.
Reasons for blocked fallopian tubes
Factors leading to blockage of fallopian tubes are:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a condition where sexually Transmitted Infection (STI’s) such as chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause scars or hydrosalpinx leading to blockage of fallopian tubes.
- Endometriosis: The fallopian tubes can be blocked due to the building up of endometrial tissue.
- Pelvic Adhesions: This condition causes sticking of pelvic organs or tissues together causing blockages.
- Ectopic Pregnancy: A prior ectopic pregnancy condition can cause scarring leading to blockages.
- Fibroids: These noncancerous growths too can block the fallopian tubes.
- Past Surgery: A surgery such as dilation and curettage (D&C) or C-section can lead to scar tissue formations or adhesions causing blockage of tubes.
Diagnosis of Blocked Fallopian Tubes
Diagnosis of fallopian tube blockages include:
- Ultrasonography: Ultrasonography requires soundwaves to check the condition of the female reproductive tracts.
- Hysterosalpingography (HSG) : A type of X-ray that uses dye to examine and detect blockages of the fallopian tubes.
- Laparoscopy: This minimally invasive procedure involves small incisions below the navel that allows the laparoscope ( a small device with a camera and light) to view the internal blockage condition. Sometimes laparoscopy is performed to confirm the results of HSG. A laparoscopy is the most accurate test for blocked tubes.
Treatment for blocked fallopian tubes at OMYA
Treatment for blocked fallopian tubes depends on the extent of blockage or severity of the condition. Treatment options include:
- Surgery: Generally, laparoscopic surgery is performed to repair the blockages. Sometimes, the affected area is removed and healthy portions are rejoined during surgery.
- In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF): If surgery cannot help clear the blockage, In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) can help attain pregnancy with fallopian tube blockages where the ovaries are stimulated with the help of fertility medications to retrieve mature eggs. The retrieved eggs are fertilized with the retrieved sperms in a laboratory. The developed gametes are then transferred into the uterus through the vagina for further implantation.