Blocked fallopian tubes: what are the causes and symptoms?

The fallopian tubes are the two tubes through which the egg travels from the ovary (ovary) to the uterus. The existence of a blockage in the fallopian tubes can interfere with function, causing women to experience difficulty getting pregnant. Check out a complete explanation of some of the causes of blocked fallopian tubes and things that affect them below!

Causes of blocked fallopian tubes

Fallopian tube problems affect about 25 to 30% of fertility or infertility problems. One of them is a blocked fallopian tube.

Quoted from Stanford Health Care, fallopian tube blockage can make it difficult for women to get pregnant because sperm and egg cells cannot meet.

In fact, in order for pregnancy to occur, the egg must first be fertilized by sperm in the fallopian tube before finally attaching to the uterus.

The fallopian tube can become completely blocked, only one tube becomes blocked, or there is tissue narrowing the channel. Here are some locations for blockages:

At the end of the tube, where it is near and connected to the uterus (proximal)
At the end of the tube close to the ovary (distal)
Whole tube (in severe cases)

As explained above, the fallopian tube becomes blocked due to scar tissue or adhesions.

There are several causes and types that result in infection or blockage of the fallopian tubes, namely:

1. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue grows and accumulates outside the uterus. This tissue can build up and cause the fallopian tubes to become blocked.

Not only that, these tissues can also cause adhesions to block the fallopian tubes.

2. Pelvic inflammatory disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is also a cause of blocked fallopian tubes.

This condition occurs because of an infection in the female reproductive area such as the uterus, cervix, ovaries, and including the fallopian tubes.

This can also cause injury to the ovaries and fallopian tubes as well as blockages.

3. Hydrosalping

Hydrosalpinx or hydrosalping is a malfunctioning of the fallopian tubes due to fluid obstruction resulting in infection.

Please note if this liquid is classified as poisonous so it is dangerous for sperm and eggs.

This condition can be triggered by many things, from inflammation to the side effects of surgical procedures around the reproductive organs.

Not only does this cause damage to the fallopian tubes, it can also cause pregnancy problems.

The clogged fluid can seep into the uterus and complicate the implantation process.

4. Adhesions of the intestine

Bowel adhesions, or adhesions, are the result of medical complications that are usually caused by surgery, infection, or endometriosis.

An infected bowel can be caused by a severe inflammation of the appendix, then it bursts and the fluid becomes sticky.

It should be noted that the fallopian tubes and intestines are close together.

Therefore, the adhesions of the intestine to the fallopian tubes can affect a woman's chances of getting pregnant.

Symptoms of a blocked fallopian tube

Unlike the disease in general, the symptoms of this condition often cannot be felt. In fact, you may not even know you are experiencing it.

Until in the end, the condition of blocked fallopian tubes is known when you are having a check-up to plan a pregnancy.

However, from some of the causes above, it is not impossible that you can experience some of the signs or symptoms of blockage of the fallopian tubes, such as:

Mild pain in all or one side of the abdominal area
The aches or pains become more and more regular
Pain or tenderness in the hilt
Pain accompanied by fever
The stomach hurts more during menstruation
Leucorrhoea that looks strange and also smells
Feeling pain during sexual intercourse or urinating

When one or more of these symptoms appear, consult a gynecologist immediately.

Treatment of blocked fallopian tubes

Previously, the doctor will perform an examination of your body. This examination will use a device that can see the internal organs, especially the abdomen and pelvis.

It is possible that the doctor will perform several tests such as:

Sonohysterosalpingography - uses fluid that is drained from the cervix into the uterus.
Ultrasound - to check for abnormalities in the reproductive organs, but the detection rate is not very good.
Hysterosalpingogram - examination of blockages in the fallopian tube area using X-rays.
Laparoscopy - a small, superficial cut around the abdomen to insert a camera and surgical instruments.

After that, some treatments for blocked fallopian tubes include:

1. Surgery to remove the fallopian tube

Surgery is usually performed if the fallopian tube is almost damaged.

Sometimes, this is not the best method because it can interfere with blood flow and reduce the chances of getting pregnant through IVF.

However, this method will be taken if it is the only way to remove the blockage and save your fallopian tubes.

2. Sclerotherapy

This method is a treatment by injecting a fluid that causes irritation into the fallopian tubes due to hydrosalping.

This fluid will cause swelling, which pushes the buildup of fluid out.

Although effective, there is a chance that the fluid buildup or hydrosalping will return.

3. Repair clogged ducts

Performed by surgery around the reproductive organs to remove fluid from the blocked fallopian tubes.

Although it is effective and is done without removing the fallopian tubes, there is a chance that the fluid blockage will recur.

4. Tubal reanastomosis

This procedure is performed to repair any part of the fallopian tube that is blocked or damaged by disease.

The blocked or diseased part of the tube is removed and the two healthy ends of the tube are connected.

5. Salpingectomy

Is the removal of part of the fallopian tube that is blocked to increase the success of IVF. This is done when the tube has a buildup of fluid or hydrosalping.

6. Salpingostomy

This procedure is commonly used to treat hydrosalping. The doctor will make a new hole in the tube closest to the ovary.

Can women get pregnant with blocked fallopian tubes?

Women with damaged or blocked fallopian tubes still have a chance of becoming pregnant.

However, quoted from Reproductive Facts, there are several factors that also need to be considered such as how much damage, partner sperm health, and the age of the woman.

If the tube is badly damaged and remains blocked after surgery, you can still try the IVF program

IVF program can be done after undergoing one of the methods above to try to get pregnant. The chance of getting pregnant from this method is about 40%.