Blocked Fallopian tube – Can you still become pregnant?

Fallopian tubes are two very thin (its width about the size of a spaghetti strand) tubes, lined with hair-like projections called cilia. Upon ovulation, the egg from the ovary travels through the Fallopian tubes where it meets the sperm after copulation and where the process of fertilization begins. The cilia present in the tubes then push the fertilized egg towards the uterus where its implantation occurs.

1 Blocked fallopian tubes and its causes

Unfortunately, the only time you will suspect having a blocked fallopian tube is by the time your attempt to conceive fails. There are causes why these tubes become blocked or damaged and in some cases, it may be congenital, meaning the condition is present at birth. The blocked fallopian tubes may be classified as to the cause, location, and type of blockage. The blockage may be proximal, mid segment, or distal.

Proximal:

The root cause is infection, which may be brought about by birth control procedures, abortions, miscarriage, PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease), among others. In proximal tubal obstruction, the tube is blocked at the end where it meets the uterus.

Midsegment:

In this case, the tubes are damaged or blocked at midpoint. This is often due to tubal ligation procedure which may cause blockage due to scar development. This blockage can be cured with the help of a minor surgery and has a 75% pregnancy success rate.

Distal:

In cases of distal tubal occlusion, the tubes are blocked at the end part towards the ovary. The blockage is generally caused by a sac of fluid known as hydrosalpinx. It can also be due to infections caused by sexually transmitted diseases.

Some of the common conditions that cause blocked fallopian tubes include pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), endometriosis, genital tuberculosis, uterine fibroids, tubal ligation reversal, and surgical complications in procedures such as C-section. Diagnosis can be done in different ways, depending on the severity and condition.

The damage or blockage in the tubes may be partial or complete. There are cases when only one tube is damaged or there are cases when there is only partial blockage in the tube. Pregnancy is still possible to occur in partially damaged tubes since the tube is open enough for the egg and sperm to pass through. There is greater risk though, of having an ectopic pregnancy where the fetus develops outside the womb, more likely in the fallopian tubes. This could lead to serious complications when the tube ruptures and causes internal bleeding. On the other hand, damage or blockage may be complete, and it becomes impossible for the egg and the sperm to pass through, to meet and unite. Hence, the chance of getting pregnant with completely damaged tubes is nearly impossible, but today there are some natural and surgical approach being offered to increase the chances of conceiving. Let us discuss how the blocked tubes can be opened with the help of natural and surgical procedures.

2 How To Treat Blocked Fallopian Tubes

Treatment and reopening or unblocking of the fallopian tubes can be done using either of two procedures, depending on your choice and its severity. You can opt for either of these procedures on how to get rid of a blocked fallopian tube: natural or surgical.

Natural Procedures To Treat Fallopian Tube Occlusion

These procedures are done without the help of drugs or surgery:

Fertility cleansing: This procedure uses herbs. With the help of herbs the entire reproductive system is cleansed, which increases the circulation. The herbs are absorbed into the body and perform cleansing where it is needed.

The fertility massage: There are massage techniques which help in opening the fallopian tubes. Massage aids in increasing blood circulation and in breaking up the adhesions. The tube can be stuck either together or to another parts. There are 3 different types of massage which helps in enhancing the reproductive system and unblocking the tubes.

Self fertility massage, clear passage therapy massage, and castor oil massage: these are series of massage techniques supporting reproductive system health, minimizing menstrual discomforts, and for softening and healing tissues in the reproductive system.

There are many researches and studies proving success in these techniques. These services are available in clinics in the U.S. and the U.K.

3 Herbs That Support Fallopian Tube Health

Golden seal root: This herb is an anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, and antifungal. As an anti-inflammatory, it prevents adhesions and formation of scar tissue.

Dong Quai: This super herb not only improves blood circulation but also has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces tissue congestion by acting on the circulatory and lymphatic system.

Wild yam: This herb promotes hormone levels that regulate fallopian tube function.

Ginger root: It improves blood circulation towards fallopian tubes and ovaries, reducing inflammation of the reproductive organs.

Hawthorn: This is a miracle herb. It contains antioxidants that help in improving blood flow to the tubes and in proper oxygen utilization. Oxygen is the key to heal the human body.

Peony root: This herb promotes normal levels of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. It also has analgesic and muscle relaxant properties.

These are the natural procedures that help in treating fallopian tube occlusion. These easy, cost-effective techniques have a 65% success rate.

4 Medical Procedures To Diagnose Blocked Fallopian Tubes

Hysterosalpingogram:

Commonly referred to as HSG, hysterosalpingogram is an X-ray procedure wherein a contrast dye is used to check if there is any obstruction in the tubes. The dye is introduced into the vagina through a thin tube, filling up the uterus and spilling into the fallopian tubes, if they are open. The X-rays are then taken, determining if there is any obstruction, injury or abnormal structures in the uterus and fallopian tubes. This is still the best test till date to diagnose blocked fallopian tubes.

Sonohysterography:

The procedure uses ultrasound imaging and is hardly reliable since the fallopian tubes are too small to visualize using this kind of test. This procedure however, is helpful in diagnosing other reproductive organ abnormalities.

Chromotubation:

Chromotubation, like hysterosalpingogram, uses a dye in diagnosing fallopian tube blockage, except that the dye used in this procedure doesn’t show on X-ray. This test requires surgery and is done during laparoscopy where the doctors can observe the dye spilling out of the tubes into the abdominal cavity.

5 Surgical Procedures To Open Blocked Fallopian Tubes And Expectations After Surgery

Many women agonize over the infertility problem brought about by blocked fallopian tubes. But medical science today offers many techniques and procedures to solve the problem. Reopening blocked fallopian tubes is possible, but once damaged reversal would be difficult. In the end, the welfare of the patient outweighs the wish to conceive.

The following surgical procedures may either be open or closed:

• Salpingectomy – also called tubectomy, is the surgical removal of one or both fallopian tubes.
• Salpingostomy – surgical procedure that reopens the fallopian tube blocked by hydrosalpinx. There is a great chance however, of recurring blockage due to the formation of scar tissue.
• Selective tubal cannulation – a non-surgical procedure carried out with the help of fluoroscopy or hysteroscopy wherein a cannula is inserted into the fallopian tube.
• Fimbrioplasty – reconstructive repair of the fimbria in cases of fimbrial adhesions.
• Tubal ligation removal – an outpatient surgical procedure that reverses tubal ligation.

Recuperation after an abdominal surgery usually takes 2 to 3 days stay in the hospital whereas laparoscopic surgery requires a brief stay. Within a year you should be hearing the good news. These surgical procedures have about 65-75% pregnancy success rate.

Get ready with prams; leave the cramps in the past. Be positive and just do it. Soon you will be conceiving and enjoying a happy motherhood.