Blocked Fallopian Tubes – Part 2
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is one of the biggest causes in female infertility and remains as one of the common causes of women having blocked fallopian tubes. Pelvic inflammatory disease is most commonly due to the contraction of a sexually transmitted disease, but this is not always the case. Even if you do not have PID anymore, you still have an increased chance of having blocked fallopian tubes.
Here are some other causes of blocked fallopian tubes:
- Current or Past Sexually Transmitted Disease Infection (Chlamydia, Ghonorrhea)
- Uterine Infection (miscarriages or abortion)
- Ruptured Appendix
- Abdominal Surgery
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Past Surgery on your Fallopian Tubes
- Endometriosis
Diagnosing Blocked Fallopian Tubes
Doctors will give you an x-ray more specifically known as a hysterosalpingogram (HSG for short). They will insert a small tube in your cervix with a certain dye. Once the dye is inserted they will take some x-rays of your pelvic region. This will show the doctors one of two things. If your fallopian tubes aren’t blocked then the dye will pass right through them and into your pelvic cavity. However, if the dye doesn’t reach the pelvic cavity, then you can possibly have a blockage.
There is a slim chance that you may not have blocked fallopian tubes even if the dye doesn’t reach the pelvic cavity. This is known as “false positive” and about 15% of women fall under this category. These women may have a block right where your uterus and fallopian tubes meet.
Other tests include:
- Ultrasound
- Exploratory Laparoscopic Surgery
- Hysteroscopy
- Blood Work
Possible Treatments if You Have Blocked Fallopian Tubes
If you are a healthy individual, you can possibly get pregnant without much treatment or help from your doctor. This includes taking a prescribed fertility drug from your doctor which will increase your ovulation in the fallopian tube which is not blocked. This, however is not an option for women with both fallopian tubes blocked.
Some women may be eligible for laparoscopic surgery where the doctor will remove any scar tissue which may be causing the blockage in your tubes. This surgery is highly dependent on how old and healthy you are as well as where the blockage is occurring. However, if you have to much scarring or adhesions, you may want to consider skipping laparoscopic surgery and go straight into IVF treatment. You should always consult in your doctor first to see what the best option available is for you. Each individual is different and one treatment that is good for someone else might not be the best route for you.
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