Blocked tubes are a common reason women struggle to become pregnant
Our Oklahoma fertility center offers effective treatments for women with blocked tubes. This fertility issue consists of scar tissue or other issues creating barriers in the fallopian tubes. These barriers can prevent sperm from reaching the egg, and the fertilized egg from entering the uterus. Through comprehensive fertility testing, our clinic can determine if a woman has blocked fallopian tubes, then develop an effective treatment plan.
Learn more about what health issues can increase the risk of blocked tubes
Various health circumstances can lead to blockages in the fallopian tubes. These blockages can result from scar tissue or pelvic adhesions, and create challenges when a woman is ready to start a family.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Endometriosis
- Past ectopic pregnancy
- Abdominal surgery
- Fibroids
- Chlamydia or gonorrhea
To diagnose blocked tubes, doctors at our Oklahoma fertility center often recommend an HSG, or hysterosalpingogram. This evaluation involves a radiologist injecting a radio-opaque dye into a woman’s uterus and using X-ray images to detect if the dye can move through the patient’s tubes.
Treatments to help women clear or bypass blockages in fallopian tubes
After receiving a diagnosis of blocked tubes, a woman works with her doctor to make a treatment plan. Depending on the woman’s circumstances, the doctor may recommend treatment that removes the need for fallopian tubes, or treatment to remove the blockage.
IVF. If a woman has numerous fertility issues or significant blockages in her tubes, the doctor might recommend IVF. This procedure involves the woman taking ovulation stimulation medication so the doctor can retrieve multiple eggs, which are transferred to the IVF lab. Next, an embryologist uses sperm from the woman’s partner or sperm donor to fertilize the eggs, and the doctor then transfers a resulting embryo into the woman’s uterus.
Laparoscopy. Laparoscopy allows the doctor to assess and remove blockages. This procedure consists of the doctor making an incision in the woman’s belly button, then passing a small telescope through it.
Hysteroscopy. This procedure is similar to a laparoscopy, but does not require incisions. The doctor passes the small telescope through the woman’s cervix into her uterus, then locates and removes the blockages with specialized tools.
Removal of the tubes. If a woman has significant blockages in her tubes, the doctor might recommend their removal through laparoscopy. She would then need to undergo IVF to conceive.
The doctors at our Oklahoma fertility center work closely with women to help them determine what treatment might provide the best results as they take the next step toward parenthood.
Contact us for more information about our fertility treatments.