Fallopian tube is a part of women’s reproductive system. There are two fallopian tubes, one on each side of uterus. The main function of fallopian tube is to act as a passage for transportation and fertilization of egg. Mature and fertilized egg then gets embedded in the wall of uterus. When an obstruction prevents the egg to travel further down in the uterus or the sperm is prevented to meet the egg in the fallopian tube the condition is called blocked fallopian tube.
Clogged or blocked fallopian tube is one of the main causes of infertility in women.
What Causes Blocked Fallopian Tubes?
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) till now remains the commonest cause for occlusion of fallopian tube. Often it is the sexually transmitted disease that is responsible for blocked tubes.
- Sexually transmitted disease such as gonorrhea and Chlamydia.
- Infection of uterus due to miscarriage or an abortion.
- Infection in genital tract resulting after child birth.
- Abdominal infections such as peritonitis and appendicitis.
- Past history of fallopian tube surgery.
- History of ectopic pregnancy
- Endometriosis
Symptoms Of Clogged Fallopian Tubes
In most cases, clogged fallopian tube remains asymptomatic. However, in some cases mild symptoms may be experienced by the patient.
Mild to moderate pain in lower abdomen: Many women, especially with history of infertility may complain of nagging pain in lower abdomen. Although there are several reasons for pain in lower abdomen, blocked fallopian tube remains first on the list of suspicion in infertile women. This type of pain is present more in a condition called hydrosalpinx. In this condition, the tube gets dilated and fills with fluid. The fluid prevents sperms and egg to meet together and thus prevents pregnancy.
Rarely there is severe pain in lower abdomen at the time of ovulation or during menstruation. This is due to changes in hormone level and an increase in the blood flow.
How To Fix Clogged Fallopian Tubes?
If one tube is patent and functioning normally, the chances of becoming pregnant are reasonably high. In this case the physician will try to increase the ovulation by giving fertility medicines.
If both tubes are damaged, laparoscopic surgery may be advised to remove the scar tissue which is responsible for the blockage. Again the success rate depends on many factors, the age of patient, the severity of blockage etc. If there are few adhesions, then chance of becoming pregnant and maintain patency of tube is promising. There is an almost 50% chance of getting pregnant after surgery.
Certain herbs are beneficial for clogged fallopian tubes. The seed extract of milk thistle is found useful in treating many problems related to infertility, and one of them is blocked fallopian tube. Herbs such as burdock, cramp bark, vitex are also known to be beneficial in unblocking the fallopian tube.
Fertility massage is a type of massage technique which helps to improve the reproductive function and also includes blockage of fallopian tube.