Understanding blocked fallopian tubes: Causes, symptoms, and treatment options

Written in association with: Dr Anu Chawla
Published:
Edited by: Kate Forristal

Blocked fallopian tubes contribute to infertility in approximately 30% of women facing fertility challenges, making it a prevalent yet often asymptomatic condition. Diagnosis typically occurs when a couple encounters difficulties conceiving. In her latest online article, Dr Anu Chawla delves into the origins of blocked fallopian tubes, their implications for fertility, and the available treatments for those aspiring to conceive.

Understanding the role of fallopian tubes:

A woman's reproductive system houses her fallopian tubes, comprising two channels linking the ovaries to the uterus. Each menstrual cycle witnesses an egg departing one ovary, traversing the corresponding fallopian tube toward the uterus. In cases of conception, a sperm unites with the egg in the fallopian tube before the fertilised egg proceeds to the uterus. A blockage in the fallopian tube impedes this crucial meeting, hindering conception.

 

Causes of blocked fallopian tubes:

Various factors can lead to blockages, including:

 

Symptoms of blocked fallopian tubes:

While many women with blocked fallopian tubes remain asymptomatic, a minority may experience abdominal or pelvic pain, painful periods, discomfort during intercourse, fever, or unusual discharge. Seeking consultation with a gynaecologist is essential, given the overlap of these symptoms with other gynaecological conditions, ensuring an accurate diagnosis by a specialist.

 

Impact on fertility:

A fallopian tube blockage disrupts the meeting of sperm and egg, rendering pregnancy impossible. The degree of blockage influences the outcome. Partial blockages may still allow conception, and if only one tube is affected, pregnancy remains a possibility. Conversely, complete blockage in both tubes eliminates the prospect of natural conception.

 

Treatment options for blocked fallopian tubes:

Treatment depends on the blockage's severity and the patient's unique circumstances. Laparoscopic surgery, a minimally invasive keyhole procedure, may address minor tissue obstructions. However, recurrent blockages are common, especially in cases of prior pelvic infections or endometriosis.

 

Pregnancy after treatment:

In instances of significant damage to the fallopian tubes, whether due to scarring, adhesions, pelvic infection, or surgery, natural pregnancy may only be achievable through assisted reproductive technologies like in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). These methods avoid the fallopian tube's role by directly placing a fertilised egg into the uterus, offering alternative pathways to conception and may be recommended instead of surgery.

 

Dr Anu Chawla is an esteemed senior fertility specialist with over 15 years of experience. You can schedule an appointment with Dr Chawla on her Top Doctors profile.

By Dr Anu Chawla
Fertility specialist

Dr Anu Chawla is a highly-experienced senior fertility specialist, practicing Advanced Reproductive Medicine, in London

Her area of expertise is in Advanced Fertility PracticeRepeated IVF failures, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, PCOSEndometriosis (Current Chairperson of Endometriosis Committee of FOGSI), Reproductive Immunology, Egg Freezing, Fibroids, Male Factor Infertility.

Dr Chawla qualified in medicine in Gujarat University in 2007 and then went on to pursue a Master's degree in obstetrics and gynaecology.  She became a member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, London, in due course.  

She also obtained a diplomate of the National Board in Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She holds Three Post Graduation Degrees in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, one from UK, two from India, from reputable universities. In addition, she did Advanced Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery and another Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine.

She trained in Advanced Level 3D Pelvic Ultrasounds with Prof Stuart Campbell, in London.

She went to the United States to do a Reproductive Medicine Observership Programme at National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Shady Grove Fertility Clinics in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and in IVF Department at the EVMS Jones Institute in Virginia, USA, Centre of Reproductive Medicine New York, New Hope Fertility Centre New York.  

Dr Chawla has been previously appointed as a clinical lead consultant in Advanced Fertility Department at various leading teams in India, where she also founded the esteemed IVF department at the Fortis Memorial Research Institute at Gurgaon in Delhi Region.

Her high success rate and clinical excellence in Fertility Practice, with global expertise and perspective, brought her an offer to come back to London and join St. Bartholomew’s Hospital and the Queen Mary University, London Hospital as a Senior Fertility Specialist, where she did huge numbers of egg collections, embryo transfers etc.

She worked at Create Fertility, St. Paul’s, London and The Fertility and Gynaecology Academy, London.

Combining clinical expertise in both gynaecological Fertility Enhancing Surgery and Reproductive Medicine, Dr Chawla's patients benefit from her sensitive, comprehensive and continuous care throughout their conception journey. 

Dr Anu Chawla's has been actively contributing to the various gynaecology associations, like Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, RCOG, London, The International Federation of OBGYN, FIGO, and the Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Societies in India (FOGSI), amongst others.  

Dr Chawla is a regular invited faculty speaker, at various international and academic key fertility and OBGYN conferences around the world. Most recently, she was invited to chair a film festival session on the topic of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Wellbeing at the XXIV FIGO World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics. She was additionally actively involved in campaigning to extend the time span of egg freezing for women in the UK, an amendment which has now been successfully enacted in to law. Dr Chawla also regularly conducts charitable medical projects in India, providing low cost reproductive and gynaecological care for those in need.

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