
Blocked Fallopian Tubes
One of the many causes of infertility is tubal disease, which is when one or both of your fallopian tubes become blocked or damaged. Damaged fallopian tubes prevent the sperm from reaching the egg for proper development and implantation in the uterus.
Cause of Blocked Fallopian Tubes
• Infections like chlamydia damage the cilia (tiny hairs lining the fallopian tubes) that help transport the egg.
• Scar tissue resulting from endometriosis or abdominal or gynaecological surgery.
• The use of the intra-uterine contraceptive device (contraceptive “loop”).
• Sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhoea resulting in infection of the fallopian tubes.
• Tubal ligation (having your “tubes tied” to prevent pregnancy) can also leave your Fallopian tubes damaged.
Your medical history and a pelvic exam are necessary for diagnosing blocked fallopian tubes. The doctor may do a pelvic X-ray called a hysterosalpingogram (HSG). This procedure involves using an injection of dye into the uterine cavity and a simultaneous X-ray of the uterus and tubes, which illustrates the dispersion of dye through the pelvic organs.