How Can Fallopian Tube Blockage Treatments Benefit You?
Blocked fallopian tubes are the cause of up to 20% of all female infertility problems. Fortunately, with appropriate fallopian tube blockage treatment, women can significantly increase their chances of naturally falling pregnant.
Before you commit to any treatment, it is essential to have a proper understanding of the condition, along with its possible causes and symptoms. Understanding the basics is one of the primary stepping-stones in deciding whether to undergo treatment. It’s therefore critical that you gain insight into your condition from reputable medical institutions such as the Regency International Clinic.
What are the fallopian tubes?
The female reproductive system consists of internal and external organs. The fallopian tubes, also referred to as the oviducts or uterine tubes, connect the ovaries and the uterus. During a woman’s monthly ovulation, which takes place at some point in her menstrual cycle, an egg moves from the ovary to the uterus through these tubes.
How is fertility affected by blocked fallopian tubes?
When the fallopian tube becomes blocked, infertility may occur, since this stops the clear passage of both the egg and the sperm. Either the sperm is unable to reach the egg, or the fertilised egg cannot reach the uterus for its implantation until a procedure to unblock fallopian tubes is completed.
Pregnancy is impossible if both tubes are completely blocked. If the blockage is only partial, there is still a chance of getting pregnant, but that comes with an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy. This condition arises when the fertilised egg becomes stuck in the fallopian tubes and can potentially develop into a serious health hazard.
What are the causes of blocked fallopian tubes?
There are a variety of causes of fallopian tubes blockage, some of which cannot be prevented completely as they occur naturally.
- The growth of endometrial tissue in the tubes can result in a blockage. Not only that, but if the tissue grows on the other organs near the tubes, it can also cause adhesions that lead to a blockage.
- Adhesions can also result from tissue growth after abdominal surgeries.
- Fibroid growths can potentially attach to the uterus and lead to a blockage.
- The sexually transmitted infection chlamydia is one of the most common infections that cause pelvic inflammation, which may lead to fallopian tube blockage.
Fortunately, despite these risk factors, there are advanced procedures that can unblock fallopian tubes, and these can yield promising results.
How exactly is fallopian tube blockage treated?
Natural Methods
There are some well-known natural treatments for fallopian tube unblocking. While there is some anecdotal evidence of efficacy, there is no scientific proof that they are always successful in eliminating the blockage. Because these natural treatments are regarded as healthy practices, though, there is good reason to make these changes in one’s lifestyle.
These include giving up smoking and alcohol consumption, reducing stress, increasing exercise levels, and consuming natural ingredients that are known to reduce inflammation. While these practices will not necessarily eliminate the blockage in the fallopian tube entirely, they will lead to a healthier body that has a reduced risk of infertility.
Surgical Procedures
There are also several surgical options available for treating fallopian tube blockages. Which is the most appropriate to employ will vary on a case-by-case basis, and is generally determined by the size of the blockage and its location.
In certain procedures, microsurgical techniques can be used on the tubes. They can be done via a laparoscopy, which gives entry to the affected area of the body via a small cut; or by open abdominal surgery. It is important to note that only highly-trained and experienced specialists should carry out either type of medical procedure.
Tubal Reanastomosis. Another possible procedure is tubal reanastomosis. This is usually carried out in order to repair parts of the fallopian tube that have sustained damage due to disease. In this procedure, the blocked portion of the tube is removed, and the two ends are joined. Typically, this is done by a laparotomy or through an abdominal incision. However, some practitioners are also able to carry out the procedure through laparoscopy.
Salpingectomy. Another surgical option for fallopian tube blockage is known as a salpingectomy. This treatment is specific to dealing with hydrosalpinx, which is the build-up of fluid in the tube. This is most commonly done to support an in vitro fertilization (IVF). This is because hydrosalpinx can lessen the success of IVF by 50%, whereas a salpingectomy can counteract its detrimental effects.
Salpingostomy. Closely related to salpingectomy is salpingostomy, which deals with hydrosalpinx that occurs at the end part of the tube. This procedure involves creating an opening in the section of the tube nearest to the ovary. However, it is possible for scar tissue to grow again after this procedure, causing blockage once again. For this reason, salpingectomy is usually the preferred route.
Fimbrioplasty. Fimbrioplasty is a tubal procedure carried out on blockages occurring in the part of the tube nearest to the ovary, which prevents the standard pickup process for the egg. In this procedure, the fringes at the end of the tubes are rebuilt.
Trans Cervical Tubal Catheterisation. Also known as TCTC, this procedure is exclusive to a limited number of medical centres worldwide, including at the Regency International Clinic. In this procedure, a catheter is passed through the 1 millimetre tubal canal in order to unblock the fallopian tubes.
The patient is put under a local anaesthetic and is able to watch the procedure on a monitor. The entire process takes between just 20 and 40 minutes and offers an impressive success rate, with up to an 80% to 85% chance of successful unblocking and a 25% to 30% chance of future conception.
If you are experiencing any abnormality or irregularity in any organs related to the reproductive system, it is imperative you seek advice and have a check-up as soon as possible.
Having said that, there are rarely any noticeable symptoms related to fallopian tube blockages. A dedicated fallopian tube blockage test, called “hysterosalpingogram check”, must be carried out to determine the presence, extent and cause of the condition, which is usually done alongside other basic fertility testing.
Successful treatment for fallopian tube blockage usually enables women to go on to conceive without the need for any further fertility treatment.
If you suspect that you may have a fallopian tube blockage or would like to learn more about blocked fallopian tubes symptoms and treatment, feel free to get in touch with Regency International Clinic today.
Fill in the contact form at https://regencyinternationalclinic.co.uk/contact-us/ or ring us on 020 7490 0550 to book a consultation.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What procedure is used to unblock fallopian tubes?
If a woman’s fallopian tubes are partially or completely obstructed by small amounts of scar tissues or adhesions or due to an infection or a condition such as PCOS, this could pose fertility problems or complications in pregnancy. In this case, a gynaecologist can refer the patient for a surgical operation to unblock fallopian tubes.
What are the symptoms of a blocked fallopian tube?
Although rare, some patients with blocked fallopian tubes may report symptoms such as fever and mild to intense pain in the pelvis or abdominal area. This can occur regularly, for instance around the time of their period. If a doctor is not consulted for fallopian tube unblocking, pregnancy may not be possible.
Can you reverse blocked fallopian tubes?
Yes, the condition can be treated using various fallopian tube blockage treatments such TCTC. IVF is also a possible route to pregnancy.
Can someone with blocked fallopian tubes menstruate?
Menstruation can still take place, even if the fallopian tubes are blocked. However, this may lead to especially painful periods. If you are experiencing this, it is a good idea to consult with a doctor to check for blocked fallopian tubes with an ultrasound, especially if you are of childbearing age and/ or trying to conceive.
Can HSG open blocked tubes?
A hysterosalpingography (HSG) is an X-ray procedure used to diagnose a patient with blocked tubes. It is not a treatment with the same aim as taking medical routes or medicine for blocked fallopian tubes and cannot reverse the condition.
Can blocked fallopian tubes be seen on ultrasound?
The only instances where the fallopian tubes can be seen on ultrasound are if they are full of fluid or dilated. Otherwise, fallopian tube blockage cannot really be detected this way.
To identify damaged or blocked fallopian tubes, a laparoscopy or hysterosalpingogram procedure will be typically used. This must be done to determine the correct course of treatment and therefore the possible fallopian tube blockage treatment cost.
Where do eggs go if fallopian tubes are blocked?
A blockage in the fallopian tubes will prevent the egg from travelling from the ovary to the uterus (the womb). This can lead to infertility and resolution will require the expertise of a fertility specialist. They may recommend surgery for unblocking fallopian tubes or removing a blockage in the fallopian tube to increase the odds of a successful pregnancy.
What causes your fallopian tubes to get blocked?
There are several reasons why the fallopian tubes can become blocked. The most common of these is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is a result of a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Even after having a fallopian tube infection diagnosis and treatment for PID, a history of pelvic infection can increase the risk of blocked tubes.
How can you get pregnant with blocked tubes?
There are several methods to achieving pregnancy, even with blocked tubes. If only one tube is blocked, you may opt to get intrauterine insemination (IUI). If there is a blockage in both tubes, you may opt for selective salpingography, and tubal catheterisation or IVF treatment may be necessary.
How can blocked fallopian tubes be treated?
Depending on the cause of the blockage, doctors can offer a cure for dilated fallopian tube via surgery and then proceed with an IVF procedure to aid in conception. Blockages can be caused by a variety of conditions, including infection leading to inflammation and swelling of the tube.
About Blocked Fallopian Tubes
Blocked fallopian tubes are among the most common causes of infertility among women. With a blocked fallopian tube, there will be no passage for the sperm cell to get to the egg cell. Moreover, a fertilised egg cell will also have no way to reach the uterus so that pregnancy can result.
There are several issues that can lead to blocked fallopian tubes. These include infection, pelvic adhesions, and scar tissue formation. Treatment is possible; for instance, in the case of scar tissue formation, surgery for scarred fallopian tube will typically be performed to unblock the tube(s).
However, before proceeding with any treatments, the patient must receive a diagnosis first, through an HSG, a pelvic ultrasound, or laparoscopic procedure. After diagnosis, the recommended treatment will vary depending on the cause of the blockage, but surgery and IVF are some of the most common methods used to make pregnancy possible.
Signs And Symptoms Of Blocked Fallopian Tubes
It can be difficult to detect problems with the fallopian tubes as they are not routinely checked when you go to your doctor. However, a visit to the gynaecologist may be of help if you wish to gain more in-depth knowledge about the female reproductive system in preparation for pregnancy.
In some cases, a blocked fallopian tube can present symptoms such as mild to severe abdominal pain, usually during menstruation. However, it’s easy for this to be mistaken as a symptom for another condition altogether. For this reason, diagnoses are usually confirmed when couples find it difficult to conceive after a year.
When pregnancy is possible, any blockage can potentially cause the fertilised egg to get stuck – this is also known as an ectopic pregnancy. Some common signs of this are abdominal pain on one side of the body or even vaginal bleeding during pregnancy.
It is important to note, though, that ectopic pregnancies do not always have symptoms, and it may take a scan to detect this condition. Because of this, patients who suspect that they may have an ectopic pregnancy must seek immediate medical attention.
IVF Safety For Blocked Fallopian Tubes
Depending on the nature of the blockage in the fallopian tube(s), IVF treatment may be a good option for those who wish to conceive. IVF treatment is typically recommended to those who are unable to become pregnant due to an ovulation disorder, but it can also be recommended for women with tubal disease.
With IVF treatment, the egg does not have to pass through the fallopian tube, letting it bypass the blockage altogether. IVF is considered safe as this process basically harvests healthy cells from the couple, enabling fertilisation to take place outside the human body.
However, if there is an active infection in the tubes which could lead to extensive scar and adhesion formation, then a procedure for obstructed fallopian tubes may be performed first, and egg collection for IVF will be postponed until the infection has been treated.
To learn more about your options for resolving fallopian tube blockage, get in touch with Regency International Clinic today.