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Blocked Fallopian Tubes: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Fallopian tubes are one of the important parts of the female reproductive system. This tube connects the ovaries to the uterus. During ovulation, an egg releases from the ovary and meets to sperm. After fertilization it travels through a fallopian tube to the uterus for implantation. But for blocked fallopian tube occurs when the tube’s passage is obstructed, and it prevents the egg and sperm from meeting. This blockage can happen at any point along the tube. A common cause of infertility in women is blocked fallopian tubes.

Symptoms of Blocked Fallopian Tubes

Blocked fallopian don’t have such noticeable symptoms. You may only get to know about it when you are struggling with irregular periods or you are trying to get pregnant, cause blocked fallopian tubes can contribute to irregular periods & infertility. However, some women may experience:

  • Mild regular pain on one side of the abdomen. This is due to conditions like salpingitis (tube swelling) or hydrosalpinx (fluid-filled and enlarged tube).
  • Pelvic pain during period
  • Irregular periods

Causes of Blocked Fallopian Tubes

Fallopian tube blocking is a matter of concern. Many women are born with fallopian tube structural abnormalities. The causes of this condition include:

Blocked Fallopian Tubes
  1. Pelvic inflammatory disease

PID is a bacterial infection that affects the reproductive organs. Bacteria enter your vagina and spread to your uterus and upper genital tract. It’s often caused by sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea. This infection leads to inflammation around the fallopian tubes, causing scar tissue build up and tube blockages. Untreated PID can lead to severe complications, including infertility and chronic pelvic pain.

  • Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when tissue from the uterine lining (endometrium) grows outside the uterus, starts attaching to other pelvic organs. Every month, during menstruation, a female bleeds the endometrium tissue. However, the displaced endometrial tissue doesn’t shed, leading to inflammation and scar tissue formation. When endometriosis develops near or on the fallopian tubes, it can block the tubes.

  • Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that can affect the fallopian tubes. Although they may not directly block the tubes but they deform the tubes causing blockage due to abnormal tube positioning. This can lead to fertility issues.

  • Past ectopic pregnancy

A past ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus, like in a fallopian tube. This can cause the tube to rupture, leading to scarring, blockage, risk of future ectopic pregnancies and infertility.

  • Hydrosalpinx

Hydrosalpinx is a condition where the fallopian tubes become blocked or due to an abnormal build up of fluid. It’s often caused by a blockage near the end of the tube.

  • Previous Abdominal Surgery

Previous surgery in the pelvic or abdominal area can cause blockages in the fallopian tubes due to scarring and inflammation. Particularly, surgery for medical problems like uterine fibroids, endometriosis or others.

Complications of Blocked Fallopian Tubes

Due to blocked fallopian tube many complications can occur, those are:

  • Infertility: In this condition, the blocked fallopian tubes prevent eggs and sperm from meeting. So, blocked fallopian tubes can make it difficult to get pregnant.
  • Ectopic pregnancy: Ectopic pregnancy is a condition where a fertilized egg gets stuck in your fallopian tube instead of reaching uterus because of blocked tubes. Untreated ectopic pregnancy required immediate medical help.
  • Severe pelvic pain: Blocked fallopian tubes can cause pelvic pain, that can be mild to severe.

Diagnosis of Blocked Fallopian Tubes

Here are some common diagnostic methods used to detect blocked fallopian tubes:

  1. Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): A common method of diagnosing a blocked fallopian tube is hysterosalpingography (HSG). This X-ray procedure involves injecting a dye into the uterus. The dye then passes from the uterus into the fallopian tubes and then spills of dye into the pelvis to check if they are open or not. The dye helps the doctor determine if the tubes are open or blocked.
  2. Laparoscopy: If HSG results are not satisfactory, you might need a laparoscopy test. A minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses a camera to visualize the fallopian tubes.
  3. Ultrasound: A non-invasive test that uses sound waves to visualize the fallopian tubes.

Treatment of Blocked Fallopian Tubes

The approach to treating blocked fallopian tubes varies depending on the underlying cause and severity of the blockage. Here are three common treatment options:

Blocked Fallopian Tubes
  1. Medications

Antibiotics Can help clear infections and reduce inflammation if the blockage is caused by infection or inflammation.

  • Addressing Hydrosalpinx

Sometimes fluid can filled the fallopian tubes. In that case you have to take the surgical options to clear the tube or remove the tube.

  • Minimally Invasive Laparoscopic Surgery

This procedure involves removing scar tissue or adhesions that may be causing the blockage. This is a minimally invasive procedure that opens blocked fallopian tubes. A small incision is made in the belly, to insert a tiny telescope that sends images for the doctor to operate. 

  • In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

In cases where surgery is not possible or both tubes are blocked, IVF offers an alternative way. This involves retrieving eggs from the ovaries, fertilizing the eggs with sperm in a laboratory and implanting the embryo directly into the uterus.

FAQ: Frequently asked questions

  1. What is blocked fallopian tube?

Answer: A blocked fallopian tube occurs when the tube’s passage is obstructed, and it prevents the egg and sperm from meeting unlike normal fallopian tube.

  • What are the symptoms of blocked fallopian tube?

Answer: Blocked fallopian tubes often show no symptoms, but some people may experience pain in one side of abdomen due to hydrosalpinx, where fluid fills the tube.

  • What are the causes of blocked fallopian tubes?

Answer: The causes of blocked fallopian tubes are PID, endometriosis, fibroids, past ectopic surgery, hydrosalpinx, previous abdominal surgery.

  • How are blocked fallopian tubes diagnosed?

Answer: Tests such as hysterosalpingography (HSG), laparoscopy and ultrasound are used to diagnosed blocked fallopian tubes.

  • Can I still get pregnant with blocked fallopian tubes?

Answer: It’s difficult to get pregnant with blocked fallopian tubes, but it’s not impossible. IVF or other fertility treatments are there for your help & guidance.


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