Blocked Fallopian Tubes

Blocked Fallopian Tubes Treatment in Kenya

The fallopian tubes are two thin tubes, one on each side of the uterus, which help lead the mature egg from the ovaries to the uterus.

When an obstruction prevents the egg from traveling down the tube, a woman has a blocked fallopian tube, also known as tubal factor infertility. This can occur on one or both sides and is the cause of infertility in most women.

The fallopian tubes play an important role in conception because they are where most eggs are fertilized. If any part of the fallopian tube is damaged, for example by surgery or an infection, they can become blocked by scar tissue.

Common Symptoms of Blocked Fallopian Tubes

Blocked fallopian tubes do not often present symptoms other than difficulty conceiving.

A blocked fallopian tube may cause some symptoms such as pain in the pelvis or belly. This pain might happen regularly, such as around the time of their period, or be constant.

Sometimes, a blockage in a fallopian tube can cause a fertilized egg to get stuck. This is known as an ectopic pregnancy.

An ectopic pregnancy may not always cause symptoms and is usually detected during a scan. However, some women may experience signs of pregnancy, such as stomach pain on one side of the body, or vaginal bleeding. Any woman who suspects she has an ectopic pregnancy should seek immediate medical attention.

What causes a blocked fallopian tube?

Fallopian tubes can become blocked for a range of reasons, which include:

• Current or history of an STD infection, specifically chlamydia or gonorrhea
• History of uterine and pelvic infections caused by an abortion or miscarriage
• Prior surgery involving the fallopian tubes
• History of a ruptured appendix
• History of abdominal surgery
• Previous ectopic pregnancy
• Endometriosis

Effects on Fertility

If a medical problem has affected any of these three areas, it may make getting pregnant more difficult.

Each of the two ovaries is connected to the uterus by a fallopian tube. The ovaries store eggs and release them randomly, with one ovary releasing an egg each month.

For example, the right ovary might release an egg for 3 months in a row, and then the left ovary might release an egg the following month. If one fallopian tube is blocked, it may still be possible for an egg to be fertilized. If both are blocked, this is less likely.

Diagnosis of blocked fallopian tubes

Blocked fallopian tubes can be difficult to identify. The tubes can open and close, so it is not always easy to tell if they are blocked or just closed. These are the key tests to diagnose blocked fallopian tubes:

An ultrasound test, known as a sonohysterogram. This is very similar to the HSG test but uses sound waves to build up a picture of the fallopian tubes.

An X-ray test, known as a hysterosalpingogram or HSG. A doctor injects a harmless dye into the womb, which should flow into the fallopian tubes. The stain is visible on an X-ray. If the fluid does not flow into the fallopian tubes, they may have a blockage.

Keyhole surgery, known as a laparoscopy. A surgeon makes a small cut in the body and inserts a tiny camera to take pictures of the fallopian tubes from inside.

Blocked Fallopian Tubes Treatment in Kenya

If you have one open tube and are otherwise healthy, you might be able to get pregnant without too much help.

Your gynecologist in Kenya, Prof. Rafique Pakar may give you fertility drugs to increase the chances of ovulating on the side with the open tube. However, if both tubes are blocked, this is not an option.

Laparoscopic Surgery for Blocked Fallopian Tubes

Surgery aims to open the fallopian tubes to improve a woman’s chance of conceiving. Whether or not a woman will be able to conceive after surgery is affected by her age, the health of her partner’s sperm, and the level of fallopian tube damage or the extent of the scarring and where the blockage is.

Laparoscopic surgery in Kenya at KLASS aims to open the fallopian tube using the following methods:

1. opening the fallopian tube from the inside
2. removing scar tissue
3. making a new opening on the outside of the fallopian tube

Other Treatment Options

Surgery isn’t right for everyone. If thick, multiple adhesions and scarring are between your tubes and ovaries, or if you have been diagnosed with hydrosalpinx, surgery may not be a good option for you.

Other reasons to forgo surgery include additional fertility factors such as serious problems with ovulation and advanced maternal age. In these cases, IVF treatment may be recommended for you.

IVF involves placing fertilized eggs directly into the womb, which means that the fallopian tubes are not involved in the pregnancy.

Tubal ligation surgery may also be an option. It is a “permanent” form of birth control. It involves a surgeon cutting the tubes, “banding” them, clamping them, or placing specialized coils inside them. The idea is to intentionally block the fallopian tubes so the sperm can’t reach the egg.

The good news is that even though this kind of birth control is considered permanent, it can be reversed for many women. Surgical repair of tubal ligation is more likely to be successful than women having tubal surgery to repair disease-based blockages.

Prevention of Blocked Fallopian Tubes

Regular screening of STIs, as well as getting worrisome symptoms checked out right away, is an important step in preventing tubal infertility. If the STI or pelvic infection is caught early enough, treating the infection may help prevent the development of scar tissue.

The longer the infection is present, the higher the risk of scar tissue forming and creating inflamed tubes. Once an infection has been detected, quick treatment is important as it can help prevent further damage and may make fertility treatment or later surgical repair more likely to succeed.

If you have symptoms of blocked fallopian tubes such as acute pelvic infections, a high fever, or severe pain, feel free to contact us or schedule an appointment below. We will be glad to offer advanced care for you.