Overview
Fallopian tubes are female reproductive organs that connect the ovaries and the uterus. Every month during ovulation, which occurs roughly in the middle of a menstrual cycle, the fallopian tubes carry an egg from an ovary to the uterus. Conception also happens in the fallopian tube. If an egg is fertilized by sperm, it moves through the tube to the uterus for implantation.
If a fallopian tube is blocked, the passage for sperm to get to the eggs, as well as the path back to the uterus for the fertilized egg, is blocked. Common reasons for blocked fallopian tubes include scar tissue, infection, and pelvic adhesions.
Blocked Fallopian Tubes are one possible cause of female infertility. There are usually no symptoms, but there are some risk factors that can increase the chance of developing the condition. The medical term for a Blocked Fallopian Tube is Tubal Occlusion.
The fallopian tubes are muscular tubes that are lined with delicate hair-like structures. These "hairs" work in both directions; helping an egg to travel from the ovaries down to the womb (uterus) and helping sperm travel up from the womb.
Each fallopian tube ends in fimbriae, which are finger-like structures. The fimbriae catch and guide an egg when the ovary releases it.
The fallopian tubes play an important role in conception because they are where most eggs are fertilized.
If any part of the fallopian tube is damaged, for example by surgery or an infection, they can become blocked by scar tissue.
Symptoms
Blocked fallopian tubes do not often present symptoms other than difficulty conceiving. Doctors typically class this as having tried to conceive for 1 year without success.
A blocked fallopian tube may cause some women to experience symptoms such as pain in the pelvis or belly. This pain might happen regularly, such as around the time of their period, or be constant.
Sometimes, a blockage in a fallopian tube can cause a fertilized egg to get stuck. This is known as an ectopic pregnancy.
An ectopic pregnancy may not always cause symptoms and is usually detected during a scan. However, some woman may experience signs of pregnancy, such as stomach pain on one side of the body, or vaginal bleeding. Any woman who suspects she has an ectopic pregnancy should seek immediate medical attention.
Causes
Fallopian tubes can become blocked for a range of reasons, which include:
- A history of Pelvic Infection
- A history of Mumps
- A history of Tuberculosis Infection
- A previous Burst Appendix
- Having had a Sexually Transmitted Disease - Gonorrhoea or Chlamydia
- Endometriosis, a condition that causes the lining of the womb to grow outside of the uterus
- Past ectopic pregnancy. This can scar the fallopian tubes.
- Fibroids – These Growths can block the fallopian tube, particularly where they attach to the uterus.
- History of Past abdominal surgery. Past surgery, especially on the fallopian tubes themselves, can lead to pelvic adhesions that block the tubes.
- Hydrosalpinx, which is swelling and fluid at the end of a fallopian tube.
All of these conditions can affect the fallopian tubes directly or this area of the body. In most cases, these conditions or procedures create scar tissue that can block the tubes.
Effects on fertility
The female reproductive system is made up of the ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes.
If a medical problem has affected any of these three areas, it may make getting pregnant more difficult.
Each of the two ovaries is connected to the uterus by a fallopian tube. The ovaries store eggs and release them randomly, with one ovary releasing an egg each month.
For example, the right ovary might release an egg for 3 months in a row, and then the left ovary might release an egg the following month.
If one fallopian tube is blocked, it may still be possible for an egg to be fertilized. If both are blocked, this is less likely.
Diagnosis
Blocked fallopian tubes can be difficult to identify. The tubes can open and close, so it is not always easy to tell if they are blocked or just closed.
There are three key tests to diagnose blocked fallopian tubes:
- An X-ray test, known as a Hysteron Salpingo Gram or HSG. A doctor injects a harmless dye into the womb, which should flow into the fallopian tubes. The stain is visible on an X-ray. If the fluid does not flow into the fallopian tubes, they may have a blockage.
- An ultrasound test, known as a Sono Hysteron Gram. This is very similar to the HSG test but uses sound waves to build up a picture of the fallopian tubes.
The possibility of pregnancy
It’s possible to get pregnant following treatment for blocked fallopian tubes. Your chances for pregnancy will depend on the treatment method and severity of the block.
A successful pregnancy is more likely when the blockage is near the uterus. Success rates are lower if the blockage is at the end of the fallopian tube near the ovary.
The chance of getting pregnant after surgery for tubes damaged by an infection or ectopic pregnancy is small.
Talk to us for Ayurvedic treatments to understand your chances for a successful pregnancy.
Complications of blocked fallopian tubes
The most common complication of blocked fallopian tubes and treatment is ectopic pregnancy. If a fallopian tube is partially blocked, an egg may be able to be fertilized, but it may get stuck in the tube. This results in an ectopic pregnancy, which is a medical emergency.
Surgery that removes part of the fallopian tube also increases the risk of ectopic pregnancy.
Outlook for Tubal Blockage in Ayurveda -
Tubal blockage is one of the most important factors for female infertility. This condition is not described in Ayurvedic classics, as the fallopian tube itself is not mentioned directly there.
The fallopian tube is the Kshetra of Garbhadhana and is quite near to the Artava Vaha (Artava-Bija-Vaha) Srotas, as it carries the gametes before and the zygote after fertilization. Correlating fallopian tubes with the Artava Vaha (Artava-Bija-Vaha) Srotas, its block is compared with the Sanga Srotodushti of this Srotas.
It seems to be a Vata dominated Tridoshaja Vyadhi, where Kapha can be another dominant Dosha. Hence, Local instillation by Intra Uterine Uttara Vasti of Vata Kapha Shamaka & Tridoshaghna Drugs with Sukshma, Sara, Katu, Ushna and Pramathi properties can be helpful to remove the Blockage and to restore the Tubal Functions.
Blocked fallopian tubes can cause infertility, but it’s still possible to have a child. In many cases, Ayurveda & Uttara Vasthi Procedures can remove the blockage and improve fertility.
We at Vardhan Ayurveda Hospital, since 1999 with 5 branches (Narayanguda, Tarnaka, Banjara Hills, Vijayawada, and Kurnool) across Andhra Pradesh & Telangana, with a proven methodology, with zero side effects have treated more than 6 Lakh happy customers. We provide the Best Treatments for “Tubal Blockages” with high success rates through Ayurveda. At Vardhan Ayurveda Hospital, we can treat Tubal Blockages and we can help you conceive if you’re otherwise healthy.