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Impact of Tubal Disease on Fertility

The effects of tubal disease on fertility

1 in 8 couples in the U.S suffer from infertility, and there are many different causes. Tubal factor infertility affects approximately 20% of women who are having issues with fertility. Normal fallopian tubes are important since fertilization takes place in the tube. When the egg comes from the ovary, it travels to the end of the fallopian tubes. The egg then travels to meet the sperm within the fallopian tube. After fertilization, the fertilized egg (embryo), and it travels through the tube into the uterus. However, the effects of tubal disease on fertility can cause problems.

Exploring more effects of tubal disease on fertility

As you can imagine, if the fallopian tubes are blocked, the sperm will never be able to make it to the egg. The blockage can be proximal (where the fallopian tube connects to the uterus) or distal (at the end of the fallopian tube, close to the ovary).

Sometimes proximal blockage can be due to mucous or debris. Doctors can unblock it surgically.  Other times, there is scarring – such as due to an old infection . Such tubes may not open with surgery. With distal occlusion, if the tube is dilated and full of inflammatory fluid, it is a hydrosalpinxand. These tubes typically are too damaged to salvage.

Even for couples undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), a doctor should remove a hydrosalpinx before proceeding with IVF. It can decrease pregnancy rates by 30%. If the distal occlusion is mild, it may be able to be corrected by a fimbrioplasty or neosalpingostomy.

Exploring PID

In addition, there are factors such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and endometriosis that can cause altered fallopian tube function even if they are open; damaged fallopian tubes can increase the risk of tubal (ectopic) pregnancy. PID can result in a tubal abnormality called salpingitis isthemica nodosa (SIN) which greatly increases risk of an ectopic pregnancy.

As you can see, fallopian tubes are an extremely important factor for normal fertility. There is a screening test. The hysterosalpingogram (HSG) can help to assess the openness of the fallopian tubes. During this test, the radiologist injects dye into the uterus. If the fallopian tubes are open, the dye should travel from the uterus, through the fallopian tubes, and out into the pelvic cavity. This is part of the basic evaluation for infertility and one of the first few things ordered for any woman undergoing an infertility evaluation. Contact us to learn more about the effects of tubal disease on fertility.

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