According to the health publication by Mayo Clinic Healthy Living PublicHealth, The fallopian tubes are also called uterine tubes. It is part of the female reproductive organs located on either side of the uterus and carries an egg from the ovary to the uterus and sperm from the uterus to the ovary....CONTINUE READING THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
The fallopian tubes are lined with ciliated epithelia that move back and forth to help the egg roll from the ovary into the uterus each month. The ciliary action of the epithelia also helps in the movement of sperm towards the egg. Scarring or adhesions in the fallopian tubes can cause a blockage that affects the fertility of a woman.
Fallopian Tube Damage
If the fimbriae of the fallopian tubes are damaged, then it will not be possible for the fimbriae to pick up the released egg and pass it into the fallopian tube. And, in cases where there are adhesions around the fallopian tube, it may reduce or hinder its movement thus affecting the ability of the fimbriae to pick up the released egg from the ovary. Even damage to the cells lining the fallopian tube may make it difficult for the sperm to reach the egg.
Fallopian Tube Blockage
Blockage to the fallopian tube also prevents the sperm from reaching the egg. And, in some cases, it makes it difficult for the fertilized egg or embryo to move to the uterus thus causing ectopic pregnancy (where pregnancy occurs outside the uterus, mostly in the fallopian tube). Blockage of fallopian tubes can be of two kinds:
Proximal blockage – blockage occurs close to the uterus
Distal blockage – blockage occurs at the fimbriae
Fallopian Tube Scar
The fimbriae have small hair like structures which push the fertilized eggs into the fallopian tube, causing easy movement of the embryo until it reaches the uterus for implantation.
When the fallopian tube is scarred, then the traveling of the embryo through the fallopian tube is affected, causing infertility.
Symptoms of Blocked Fallopian Tubes
Blocked fallopian tubes can cause mild, regular pain on one side of the abdomen. This usually happens in a type of blockage called a hydrosalpinx, when fluid fills and enlarges a blocked fallopian tube.
Conditions that lead to a blocked fallopian tube can cause their symptoms. For example, endometriosis often causes excruciating and heavy periods and pelvic pain. These symptoms can increase the risk of fallopian tube blockage.
There is a list of common symptoms of blocked fallopian tubes
abnormal vaginal discharge;
painful menstruation;
pain in the pelvis;
abdominal pain;
problems with getting pregnant;
pain during urinating;
painful matting.
Causes of Blocked Fallopian Tubes
The most common causes of blocked fallopian tubes are
Endometriosis: Some women may not be aware that endometrial tissue can build up in the fallopian tubes and cause a blockage. The growth of endometrial tissues on the outer part of other organs can also create a tubal blockage.
Sexually transmitted diseases (STIs): Chlamydia and Gonorrhea can cause scarring, which can lead to blockage.
Pelvic inflammatory disease: This disease can lead to scarring of tissues and infections, which can cause hydrosalpinx.
Fibroids: The growth of fibroids that are attached near the uterus can block the fallopian tubes.
Past ectopic pregnancy: Ectopic pregnancy can cause blockage of the fallopian tube by scarring of tissues.
Past abdominal surgery: Previous surgeries of the fallopian tubes can cause adhesions, or scarring, that blocks the pipes.
Blocked Fallopian Tubes and Pregnancy
The fallopian tubes blockage can also cause infertility. The sperm and the egg unite in the fallopian tube, and if the tubes are blocked, then the sperm and egg cannot meet, and fertilizations wouldn’t happen, thus affecting fertility.
If both the tubes are blocked, then pregnancy wouldn’t be possible, a woman must undergo treatment to increase her chances of pregnancy. If one tube is blocked, the chances of pregnancy will decrease to half as one cannot predict which ovary will release an egg, the blocked one or the patent one.
So, a doctor might suggest fertility drugs to increase the chances of ovulation on the other side of the ovary that has an open fallopian tube.
If the fallopian tube is partially blocked a woman can get pregnant, but the risk of ectopic pregnancy increases. So, in these cases, the clogged fallopian tubes should be bypassed with IVF technology provided other contributory factors like sperm, egg and womb (uterus) are healthy.
Diagnosis of blocked fallopian tubes
Most practitioners diagnose fallopian tube blockages with a procedure called a hysterosalpingogram or HSG test.
This short test, which can be done in your provider’s office, involves injecting a liquid dye into the uterus and taking X-rays to see how the liquid moves through the fallopian tubes. If the liquid backs up or causes the tubes to stretch or swell, there’s a blockage.
In some cases, your provider might opt to look at a blockage via laparoscopic surgery. You may also sometimes see larger blockages on an ultrasound.
