Blocked fallopian tubes can significantly hinder your ability to conceive naturally. As a leading cause of female infertility, affecting approximately 20% of women facing infertility challenges, blocked or damaged fallopian tubes prevent the crucial meeting of sperm and egg needed for fertilization.

Fallopian tubes may become blocked due to various factors, including:

• Inflammation (Salpingitis)

Often caused by sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea or chlamydia.

• Congenital Issues

Some women are born with blocked or malformed tubes.

• Surgical Interventions

Tubes may be intentionally blocked to prevent pregnancy or accidentally damaged during significant surgeries, such as bowel operations.

• Endometriosis and Adhesions

These conditions can cause blockages or damage through scarring.

• Hydrosalpinx: This condition involves a blockage at the end of the fallopian tube nearest the ovary, filled with clear, watery fluid.
• Pyosalpinx: An acute inflammation of the tube, filled with pus, which may require surgical intervention if it leads to an abscess.

If you are under 35 and have been trying to conceive for over a year, or over 35 and trying for more than six months without success, it may be time to consult a fertility specialist. Diagnostic methods include:

• Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): An X-ray procedure where dye is injected to check for blockages.
• Ultrasound and Laparoscopy: These methods can help identify obstructions directly.

Treatment options vary depending on the severity and location of the blockage:

• Surgical Procedures: Laparoscopy can often clear blockages, restoring fertility.
• Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART): Techniques such as IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) and ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection) can help bypass the fallopian tubes entirely, facilitating embryo development and transfer directly into the uterus.

Get all your questions answered and receive guidance on your next steps from our Fertility team.

Understanding the role of fallopian tubes in fertility and the impact of blockages is crucial for couples trying to conceive. At fertility centers like Geneas in Thailand and Australia, fertility specialists offer comprehensive fertility checks and advanced treatments like IVF and ICSI. If you have questions about infertility or the egg freezing process, fertility experts at these clinics are equipped to provide the answers about specialized treatments available to each individual patient.