Your fallopian tubes form the link between your ovaries, where your eggs are stored, and the uterus. When you ovulate the egg passes down the fallopian tube, where fertilisation may occur if you have had intercourse. The fertilised egg then travels on to the uterus where it is implanted for growth as a fetus. These tubes are thin and long. They can be affected by infection or an ongoing condition, making the passage blocked. Blocked fallopian tubes are the cause of a large number of instances of infertility.
However, there is treatment which can be successful in repairing the tubes for successful conception.
What causes blocked fallopian tubes?
If you get a sexually transmitted disease like chlamydia, the infection can cause inflammation or scarring of the fallopian tube tissue. This can cause blaockages in the thin passageway.
Other problems like fibroids and endometriosis can also cause blockages.
Conceiving with blocked fallopian tubes
There are forms of assisted conception such as IVF, which can help bypass the role the fallopian tubes play in conception. However, in many cases, keyhole surgery can be used to go in and remove the blockage.
This process is not suitable for everyone, but your GP and/or specialist should be able to explain the best options available to you.
Conceiving after sterilisation
During the surgery for sterilisation, a woman's fallopian tubes are either tied or clipped.
It might be possible to rejoin the ends, but this process tends to be more successful if the tubes were clipped rather than tied.
If the sterilisation occurred relatively recently, you may have a better chance of a successful reversal operation. Additionally, the procedure usually requires open surgery though keyhole surgery can be an option.
