- Can I still get pregnant with blocked fallopian tubes?
Welcome to Fertile Minds.
I'm Dr. Manny Mangat.
I'm a fertility specialist with IVF Australia.
So to answer that question,
the answer is, yes.
So let's start at the beginning.
What are fallopian tubes?
Brought my little model.
So this is our uterus.
And on each side of the uterus, we've got a tube.
It is the tube that transports the egg
that is released from the ovary into the uterus,
where the embryo implants and forms a baby.
So each of us are born or should be born
with two fallopian tubes, one on each side.
Now, in order to conceive naturally,
we need functioning eggs, which live in the ovaries.
We need functioning sperm.
We need to ovulate at the right time in the menstrual cycle.
And once the egg is released,
it is caught by the fallopian tube
and sperm meets the egg in the tube
and then the embryo created is transported into the uterus
to implant into a receptive lining or endometrium.
There are many reasons that can cause blocked tubes.
Sometimes we are born without a fallopian tube
or born with a blocked tube.
Other times it could be as a result of infection
or inflammation.
So pelvic infection like chlamydia,
inflammation caused by endosalpingiosis or endometriosis.
And it can also be blocked from obstructive causes,
like big fibroids that are pressing on the tube.
I suppose, if we do have blocked tubes,
how do we know they're blocked?
Now, most patients don't have any symptoms or pain.
A small percentage of patients
when they do have an infection
may have fevers or acute pain.
Other patients may have one sided pain
or abnormal discharge during their menstrual cycle
if they have a swollen tube that is collecting fluid.
However, as I said, a lot of people don't know
that they could have a blocked tube.
Therefore, once you're ready to start trying to have a baby,
you may have read a few things about tracking your ovulation
and timing intercourse.
And if you've tried for up to six cycles
and nothing is happening,
you may then choose to see your GP.
And after a few basic investigations,
your GP may recommend you see a fertility specialist.
Once you see a specialist,
we often organise what's called a hysterosalpingogram
or a high cosy.
This is not an operation.
It is an ultrasound where we look at the uterus and tubes.
However, a plain ultrasound is not going to tell us
if the tubes are functioning.
So we then put some saline or salty water into the uterus
and watch it spill out the fallopian tubes.
And that then tells us if the tubes are patent or working.
Sometimes the pain from that fluid or pressure,
may cause the tube to spasm.
That's why we recommend you take
two pain relief tablets,
30 minutes before the procedure
and your doctor will explain the results
if that is the case.
Now, if you have been diagnosed with blocked tubes,
if only one tube is blocked,
remember there's always the other one.
And it doesn't automatically half your chances of pregnancy.
Because you have two ovaries that should sit freely
and tubes, if not damaged,
sit freely behind the uterus in this area.
Therefore, even if this tube is missing,
but that ovary ovulates,
this tube can still sometimes transport that egg
to the right place.
However, if your tube is damaged,
then there are increased risks of ectopic pregnancy,
where the pregnancy may form in the damaged tube.
So options for treatment are different
if one tube is blocked or if both tubes are blocked,
and your doctor will go through all options with you.
So often when we're missing one tube,
we would still suggest you try for a little bit longer,
depending on your age, your egg reserve
and your partner's sperm quality.
If both tubes are blocked, however,
then we would talk to you about assisted reproduction.
In the past, you may have heard about surgery
to fix the tube.
We can still try to repair a block tube or recanalise it,
but because the very fine inner workings of the tube
is often damaged once it's swollen or blocked,
the risk of then developing an ectopic pregnancy
outside the uterus or a pregnancy stuck in that tube,
is much, much higher even once we have repaired that tube.
Therefore these days with the increase of success rates
with IVF treatment, where we bypass the tubes altogether,
we take the eggs out of the ovaries.
We make embryos in the lab
and we then transfer the embryo back into the uterus,
therefore not relying on your fallopian tubes.
Seems to be the safer option of treatment.
If you do have a blocked tube
that is collecting fluid in it,
that can sometimes backflow into the uterus
and also reduce implantation
with assisted reproduction or IVF.
So if that is applicable to you,
your fertility specialist may talk about options
of fixing that prior to an IVF cycle.
So there are many treatment options available depending on
what is affected with the tubes
and what your individual circumstance is.
And we will be more than happy
to guide you through all your available options.
And you will certainly have a good opportunity
of a successful pregnancy.
If you have any questions,
please feel free to leave a comment.
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Thank you.