Did you know tubal blockage contributes to 25-30 percent of female-factor infertility cases? If you have blocked tubes, see a gynecologist in Airoli and discuss the best treatment options before planning pregnancy. If you are wondering what causes fallopian tube blockage, read on to learn everything about blocked tubes causes, symptoms, and treatment options.
What Causes Fallopian Tube Blockage
1. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
An infection of a woman’s reproductive organs, most likely caused by sexually transmitted diseases, can cause tubal blockage. The infection can cause scarring and pus formation in the tubes, which can block them. Even when the infection is cleared, the tubes might remain blocked.
2. Endometriosis
Endometrial tissues that line your uterus might grow in unusual places, mainly outside the uterus. These tissues can cause scarring and adhesions, which can block the fallopian tubes. Endometriosis can cause complete or partial tubal blockage, depending on its severity.
3. Pelvic Surgery
If you have had a pelvic or abdominal surgery, such as for appendicitis, childbirth, or other pelvic issues, you might develop tubal blockage. It occurs in women who have internal scars that can twist the tubes or block them.
4. Ectopic Pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy refers to fetal growth in the fallopian tubes instead of the uterus. It requires a surgical intervention. If you have had an ectopic pregnancy before, you are at an increased risk of having another ectopic pregnancy or tubal blockage due to scarring.
Less Common Causes
- Congenital Abnormalities: A woman could be born with blocked or improperly shaped fallopian tubes that may not support fertilization or egg transportation to the uterus.
- Tuberculosis: TB is not just a lung infection. The bacteria causing it can travel to your reproductive organs through your bloodstream, causing tubal blockage. This occurs from the adhesions and the fluid buildup in the tubes.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
There’s no obvious symptom of a blocked fallopian tube. Most women don’t know they have tubal blockage until they try to conceive. If you haven’t gotten pregnant after having unprotected sexual intercourse for over a year, your infertility specialist might order tests to rule out tubal blockage as the underlying cause of your infertility.
For diagnosis, the doctor might recommend an X-ray, also called a hysterosalpingogram. The test injects a dye through the cervix. If the stain doesn’t travel to the fallopian tubes, it indicates a blockage. In some cases, the gynecologist might perform a laparoscopic surgery for a more detailed picture of your fallopian tubes.
Treatment Options
i) Non-surgical Treatment:
If the blockage isn’t too severe, hydrotubation (a procedure that involves flushing the tubes with medication) can be used to open them. Other non-surgical treatments, like antibiotics for infection, hormone therapy, and anti-inflammatory drugs, might be used to clear the infection.
ii) Surgical Treatment:
Surgical fallopian tube treatment in Airoli is an effective option for unblocking the tubes or creating a new opening. Tubal blockage prevents sperm from meeting the eggs. Even if fertilization takes place, the fertilized egg won’t be transported to the uterus with a blocked tube. Besides, it increases the risk of miscarriages and ectopic pregnancy. It’s important to understand the cause of blockage and discuss effective treatment plans with your doctor to improve your odds of conception
