The female reproductive system's fallopian tubes link the ovaries and the uterus. The fallopian tubes deliver an egg from an ovary to the uterus every month during ovulation which takes place around the middle of a menstrual cycle.
The fallopian tube is another location for conception. Once an egg has been fertilized by sperm, it travels via the tube to the uterus where it will be implanted. A fallopian tube obstruction prevents sperm from reaching the eggs and prevents the fertilized egg from returning to the uterus. Fallopian tube blockages are frequently caused by scar tissue, infections, and pelvic adhesions.
What is Fallopian Tube Obstruction?
One of the main causes of female infertility is fallopian tube blockage, also known as fallopian tube occlusion. Fertilization is difficult when the ovum and the sperm cannot converge due to blocked fallopian tubes. Other names for fallopian tubes include oviducts, uterine cervix, and singular salpinx.
Symptoms of Fallopian Tube Obstruction
- The sole sign of a fallopian tube obstruction in a woman may be difficulty becoming pregnant.
- Women who have obstructed fallopian tubes may have pelvic or abdominal discomfort as a symptom.
- Women may experience this discomfort intermittently or continuously during their period.
Occasionally, a blocked fallopian tube might result in a fertilized egg becoming imprisoned inside the tube. The medical term for this is ectopic pregnancy. This is initially undetectable by a scan, and a woman may exhibit pregnancy symptoms including stomach ache on one side of the body and vaginal bleeding. If you see any of these symptoms, you should always see a doctor.
Causes
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Scarring or hydrosalpinx can be brought on by this illness.
Endometriosis
In the fallopian tubes, endometrial tissue can accumulate and restrict them. Adhesions that restrict the fallopian tubes can also be brought on by endometrial tissue that is external to other organs.
STIs
Chlamydia and gonorrhoea can be reasons for obstruction
Past ectopic pregnancy
Scarring of fallopian tubes can occur.
Fibroids
Particularly where they connect to the uterus, these growths have the potential to fallopian tube obstruction.
Past Abdominal Surgery
Pelvic adhesions that restrict the fallopian tubes might result from prior surgery, particularly on the tubes themselves.
Treatment of Fallopian Tube Obstruction
Laparoscopic surgery will be performed by your physician to remove any scar tissue or adhesions that are obstructing your fallopian tubes and open them.
An alternative for repairing tubes that have been harmed by an infection or ectopic pregnancy is surgery. A surgeon can join the two healthy segments of the fallopian tube if a blockage results from a damaged portion of the tube.
Surgeons can remove the swollen and damaged portions of the fallopian tube by cutting them off and removing them using a minimally invasive procedure called salpingostomy. They can also reopen the fallopian tube's shut end. Another alternative is to completely remove the tube; this procedure is known as salpingectomy. Pregnancy after a salpingectomy requires IVF.
Complications Related to Fallopian Tube Obstruction
Ectopic pregnancy is one of the common side effects of obstructed fallopian tubes. An egg may be fertilized in a partly obstructed fallopian tube, but its risks getting trapped in the tube.
The chance of an ectopic pregnancy is also increased with fallopian tube surgery. Doctors frequently advise IVF over surgery for otherwise healthy women with obstructed fallopian tubes because of these dangers.
Conclusion
Even though blocked fallopian tubes might lead to infertility, it is still possible to become pregnant. Many times, laparoscopic surgery can clear the obstruction and increase fertility. IVF can assist you in getting pregnant if surgery is not an option and you are otherwise healthy.
Laparoscopic surgery is one of the standard procedures performed by a physician to remove any scar tissue or adhesions that are obstructing your fallopian tubes. It may not be able to address the obstructions if there is a substantial amount of scar tissue/adhesions present.
Certain dietary and lifestyle adjustments may help increase female fertility. On the other hand, natural remedies have little to no scientific support for their ability to heal obstructed fallopian tubes. Manual pelvic physical treatment, which seems to be effective occasionally, is the lone exception to this rule.
Since the eggs can still pass through the unblocked Fallopian tube to reach the uterus, it is highly unlikely that a blockage in one of the Fallopian tubes will have an impact on fertility.
A woman may not be able to conceive and her chance of getting pregnant in the fallopian tube increases if her fallopian tube(s) are blocked or damaged. Surgery can be used to unblock or fix a damaged or obstructed tube (s).
In a subgroup of tubal blockage patients, endovaginal sonography might be helpful in identifying a mix of proximal and distal obstruction.
