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Blocked Fallopian Tubes

The fallopian tubes are two thin tubes, one on each side of the uterus, which help lead the mature egg from the ovaries to the uterus. When an obstruction prevents the egg from traveling down the tube, a woman has a blocked fallopian tube, also known as tubal factor infertility. This can occur on one or both sides and is the cause of infertility in up to 30% of infertile women.

If one or both fallopian tubes are blocked, the egg cannot reach the uterus, and the sperm cannot reach the egg, preventing fertilization and pregnancy. It's also possible for the tube not to be blocked totally, but only partially. This can increase the risk of a tubal pregnancy, or ectopic pregnancy.

Blocked fallopian tubes rarely cause symptoms. The first “symptom” of blocked fallopian tubes is often infertility. 

The most common cause of blocked fallopian tubes is PID. Pelvic inflammatory disease is the result of a sexually transmitted disease, although not all pelvic infections are related to STDs. Also, even if PID is no longer present, a history of PID or pelvic infection increases the risk of blocked tubes.

Other potential causes of blocked fallopian tubes include:

  • Current or history of an STD infection, specifically chlamydia or gonorrhoea
  • History of uterine infection caused by an abortion or miscarriage
  • History of a ruptured appendix
  • History of abdominal surgery
  • Previous ectopic pregnancy
  • Prior surgery involving the fallopian tubes, including tubal ligation
  • Endometriosis

Blocked tubes are usually diagnosed with a specialized x-ray called a hysterosalpingogram, or HSG.

Other tests that may be ordered include ultrasound, exploratory laparoscopic surgery, or hysteroscopy (in which a thin camera is placed through the cervix to look at the uterus). Blood work to check for the presence of chlamydia antibodies (which would imply previous or current infection) may also be ordered.

In some cases, laparoscopic surgery can open blocked tubes or remove scar tissue. Unfortunately, this treatment doesn't always work. The chance of success depends on how old you are (the younger, the better), how bad and where the blockage is, and the cause of blockage. If just a few adhesions are between the tubes and ovaries, then the chances of getting pregnant after surgery are good.

If you have a blocked tube that is otherwise healthy, you have a 20% to 40% chance of getting pregnant after surgery.