Find a Local Fertility Expert

Home › Fertility Issues › Fallopian Tubes

Fallopian Tubes

Oct 3, 2008

Fallopian Tubes

The female reproductive systems includes two fallopian tubes, one on each side of the uterus. These flexible, trumpet-shaped tubes extend to the surface of each ovary. When the ovary releases an egg, finger-like projections at the flared end of the tube catch the egg. It is there, in the tube, that conception occurs if the egg meets sperm and becomes fertilized. Tiny hairs inside the tube’s lining push the resulting embryo (fertilized egg) out of the tube and into the uterus where it implants and grows.

Tubal-related infertility may result when one or both tubes are blocked, or scarring or damage to the tubes occurs.

What Causes Problems with Fallopian Tubes?

Blocked fallopian tubes may be caused by an infection from a sexually transmitted disease such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which causes scar tissue to build up on the walls of the tubes. Endometriosis also may result in scar tissue and adhesions which can block the fallopian tubes.

In an ectopic pregnancy (also known as a tubal pregnancy) the embryo grows in the fallopian tube instead of in the uterus. Surgery for an ectopic pregnancy can cause the fallopian tube to rupture and lead to infertility. An ectopic pregnancy can also be a life-threatening situation.

In other instances the fallopian tubes are blocked because the structure of the tubes is abnormal. Structural disorders are usually due to birth defects.

How Does It Affect Infertility?

Adhesions may distort the normal structure of the fallopian tubes and make pregnancy difficult. Blocked, damaged, or scarred fallopian tubes can prevent the tubes from functioning properly. When scar tissue blocks the tubes, fertilization cannot occur since the egg can’t get through the blockage to the sperm. The blockage can also trap a fertilized egg near the ovary preventing it from traveling through the fallopian tubes to the uterus.

About 20 percent to 25 percent of infertility cases are due to problems with the fallopian tubes. Depending on the extent and location of the blockage, some fallopian tube problems can be corrected with surgery.

5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
‹ POF: Diagnosis & TreatmentupFallopian Tubes: Diagnosis & Treatment ›
Read more in category
Submitted by Anonymous on November 15, 2009 - 21:30.

What if you had an abortion 11 years ago and are now trying to get pregnant. When I had an aboriton, I had tissue left over inside and had to get a second procedure to get the tissue removed. I was wondering if this could lead to complications getting pregnant?

Submitted by LVThornton (not verified) on January 28, 2010 - 20:32.

I just had the most informative Dr.'s visit of my life...I grew up in a very small Louisiana town and during my 20's contracted a very bad STD. I'm not really sure if my mother even understood what the Dr. told her that day and certainly know that I didn't...Anyway years later I'm facing 40 and have never even been close to pregnant...The Dr. today informed me that I have classic symptoms of "endomitriosis" and showed me the scar tissue as well as a "dialated fallopian tube"
I wonder if that's the reason and if it's correctable...? I mean... I know my chances are "slim to none"...But could there still be some hope?

Submitted by Community_Claire (not verified) on February 1, 2010 - 10:50.

Hi LV --
Endometriosis is not related to having had an STD. It can certainly be a cause of infertility and it might be correctable. I encourage you to seek out the help of a fertility specialist! They will be able to tell you what your options are.

:)
Claire

------
Need help with our site? Contact me at claire@fertilityauthority.com. I'm happy to help!

Submitted by Alexis (not verified) on February 8, 2010 - 11:44.

I am 26 years old and have had an ectopic pregnancy in August of 2006 and another in March 2008. I have pelvic exams done every six months and no doctor has told me about any infection or a abnormal tube. Is there any other reason one could have an ectopic pregnancy? I hope I am able to have children!

Submitted by Community_Claire (not verified) on February 9, 2010 - 09:50.

Hi Alexis, I'm sorry to hear about your ectopic pregnancies. It's impossible to diagnose tubal issues in a typical pelvic exam. I would encourage you to see a fertility specialist for a thorough exam including a hysterosalpingogram (HSG):
http://www.fertilityauthority.com/tests-and-medica...

This can help you figure things out.
------
Need help with our site? Contact me at claire@fertilityauthority.com. I'm happy to help!

Submitted by rjk3jackson on February 10, 2010 - 21:22.

I have a question, I got my tubes tide/burn ten years ago. I'm now 41 and my husband and I would like to have a baby. What is the best and least expensive route to go? And I have been researching IUI, is that a good method for me? I'm looking for a doctor in the Dallas Texas area; and I don't have alot of funds any suggestions? HELP PLEASE!

Submitted by Community_Claire (not verified) on February 11, 2010 - 09:13.

Please use our directory to find a doctor near you and then schedule an initial appointment. They'll be able to tell you what your best options are (likely IVF).
:)
------
Need help with our site? Contact me at claire@fertilityauthority.com. I'm happy to help!

Submitted by mitchele (not verified) on February 24, 2010 - 13:00.

i have a question i was try to get pregnant since 10 years nothing happens now my doctor told me that i have adennomyosis i like to no if i can do a ivf wit the disease

Submitted by Community_Claire (not verified) on February 24, 2010 - 15:27.

I'm very sorry to hear you've been trying to get pregnant for 10 years with no success. A diagnosis of adenomyosis does not mean you can't get pregnant and deliver a baby. However, you should see a fertility specialist, also known as a reproductive endocrinologist ,who can help you determine why you haven't gotten pregnant and prescribe fertility treatment if necessary. Please use our Find a Doctor feature to find a fertility specialist near you.
------
Need help with our site? Contact me at claire@fertilityauthority.com. I'm happy to help!

Submitted by Regina (not verified) on March 1, 2010 - 13:00.

I want to ask if you do the fallopian ring removal?? I have been inquiring about this for the longest and if not do you know anyone that does and what kind of insurance do they accept...

Submitted by Daleena (not verified) on March 8, 2010 - 00:20.

I have had two ectopic pregnancies. One in each fallopian tube. I've had a hysterosalpingogram which showed my right tube 99% blocked and my left 97% blocked. My husband and I have had no luck in getting pregnant, and no other female problems are a factor aside from the scar tissue blocking my tubes. They never told me or identified why I had the ectopic pregnancies in the first place. But, my question is........ can my tubes be cleared and allow me to get pregnant?? My OBGYN told me that it would be a pointless surgery that could likely result with more scar tissue.

Post new comment

The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.
  • Web page addresses and e-mail addresses turn into links automatically.
  • Allowed HTML tags: <a> <em> <strong> <cite> <code> <ul> <ol> <li> <dl> <dt> <dd> <h1> <h2> <h3> <p>
  • Lines and paragraphs break automatically.
  • Images can be added to this post.
  • Glossary terms will be automatically marked with links to their descriptions. If there are certain phrases or sections of text that should be excluded from glossary marking and linking, use the special markup, [no-glossary] ... [/no-glossary]. Additionally, these HTML elements will not be scanned: a, abbr, acronym, code, pre.

More information about formatting options

CAPTCHA
The purpose of this question is to prevent automatic spam submissions.
2
u
A
T
7
B
Enter the code without spaces and pay attention to upper/lower case.