Having a blocked fallopian tube sounds and feels frightening, with several questions popping up about what it means and whether you can get pregnant. No matter what, getting pregnant is not easy, but it can be more challenging with one blocked fallopian tube. Ideally, for a woman to get pregnant, both her fallopian tubes and the ovaries must be functioning correctly. However, if she has at least one healthy tube, a natural or assisted pregnancy is possible. There are several ways to mitigate its effect and help you conceive successfully. Here’s what you should know to increase the chances of pregnancy with one blocked fallopian tube.
Fallopian tubes are narrow ducts that connect the uterus and the ovaries. Typically, it measures approximately 0.5 mm in diameter and plays a crucial role in conception. Eggs are released from the ovaries in the middle of your menstrual cycle through a process called ovulation. The fallopian tubes carry the egg to the uterus from the ovary. If the egg gets fertilised by a sperm, it travels to the uterus through the tube for implantation, and conception occurs. If the tube is blocked, the sperm cannot move to the eggs, and the return path for the fertilised egg to the uterus is also blocked.
Fallopian tubes get blocked due to pelvic adhesions or scar tissue. Several factors cause these, including:
● Endometriosis: Endometrial tissue may accumulate in the fallopian tube, leading to a blockage. Buildup of these tissues outside the organs can also lead to adhesions that cause blockage of the fallopian tube.
● Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID): This can lead to hydrosalpinx and scarring.
● Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Gonorrhea and chlamydia can lead to PID and scarring.
● Fibroids: These are growths that obstruct the fallopian tubes, especially where they connect to the uterus.
● Ectopic pregnancy: Miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies can scar the tubes.
● Abdominal surgery: Previous surgery to the abdomen or fallopian tubes can cause pelvic adhesions that may block them.
One of the main reasons for fertility issues is blocked fallopian tubes. An egg and a sperm fertilise in the fallopian tube, and a blocked tube prevents this from happening. Fertility with one blocked tube is possible, but if both are fully blocked, pregnancy is not possible without treatment, as the fertilised egg cannot move to the uterus through the blockage. In such cases, IVF may be recommended as a treatment. In case only one tube is blocked, the fertilised egg can travel through the unaffected tube.
Typically, blocked fallopian tubes have no symptoms, and many women do not know they have this condition until they try to conceive and have issues. In a few cases, it may lead to mild pain on one side of the belly and usually happens when a woman has hydrosalpinx (a blockage type where fluid enlarges the blocked tube).
Factors that cause fallopian tube blockage may also cause symptoms. For instance, endometriosis may cause pelvic pain and heavy periods. It can also increase the risk of blocked fallopian tubes.
The most common complication is ectopic pregnancy. If a fallopian tube is blocked partially, the egg may fertilise, but may be unable to move to the uterus through the tube. This leads to ectopic pregnancy, which is a major complication. Even surgery to remove a part of the tube increases ectopic pregnancy risks.
Many tests are routinely done to diagnose blocked fallopian tubes. The three below are the most common that check for obstructions or swelling.
It is an ultrasound that uses a saline solution instead of X-rays and dyes. This test is minimally invasive but offers a clear view of the uterus, allowing the determination of any abnormalities. However, a thorough look at the fallopian tubes is limited.
This provides an in-depth view of the fallopian tubes. An iodine liquid is filled into the uterus, and an X-ray is used to see how it moves through the reproductive system. An HSG is a quick test that takes less than 10 minutes, and women can go home immediately after. However, it can cause cramping and is done only when the fallopian tubes need to be reviewed further.
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It is an inpatient procedure done under general anaesthesia. Two holes are made with one in the abdomen to insert a laparoscope and another for a small probe in the pelvic region. Once the tools are inserted, the chromotubation (dye test) process starts by filling the uterus with a liquid. If there are no blocks, the dye spills from the pelvis, but if it does not, it means there is a blockage. This procedure typically has a recovery time of a week.
Blockages within the fallopian tubes can be fixed temporarily with a procedure called tubal cannulation. It uses two procedures: laparoscopy and hysteroscopy. Like the chromotubation, an incision is made in the belly to insert a light source and camera into the womb. A cannula (thin wire) is guided into the fallopian tube to clear the blockages. After this, a dye is sent to see if it passes through the tube without any blockages. If there is a free flow, the surgery is a success. Research suggests that successful tubal cannulation increases the chances of pregnancy.
There are other helpful surgeries, such as salpingostomy, which is performed for hydrosalpinx, where fluid is drained from the fallopian tube, allowing it to become functional again. A risk of this procedure is that scar tissue may form and block the tubes again.
Salpingectomy is another procedure that removes fallopian tube blockage and increases the IVF success rate.
Fimbrioplasty is another surgical procedure that can be done along with salpingoplasty. Here, the blockage is removed and the fimbria (finger-like projections that pick up the egg and send it to the fallopian tube) is rebuilt.
Yes. If your other tube is functional and healthy, and you have regular periods, then you can get pregnant with only one tube. If you have one of the tubes removed, the healthy one can migrate between the ovaries to pick an ovulating egg.
Follow the same best practices of conception if you want to increase the chances of pregnancy with one tube. However, even after six months of trying, if you cannot conceive, consult a specialist for evaluation, who will suggest treatment to have a healthy pregnancy.
When you are diagnosed with a blocked fallopian tube, you may feel overwhelmed as you may feel you cannot get pregnant. However, you should know that despite having this condition, you can have a successful pregnancy. Understanding the causes of blockages, as well as the diagnostics and treatment options, helps you make informed decisions. Remember that even if one of the fallopian tubes is healthy, natural conception is possible. IVF and other treatment options are available when both tubes are affected. Consult a specialist if you are unable to conceive after six months of trying to understand the best course of action.
