Fallopian Tube Tests

What are the Fallopian Tubes?

The fallopian tubes are the two passageways from the ovaries to either side of the uterus.The eggs released by the ovary make their way to the fallopian tubes. Fertilisation occurs here and the embryo makes its way down the fallopian tube into the uterus. The fallopian tubes help in the movement of the egg and embryo towards the uterus and also nourishes them during the time they spend in the fallopian tube.

• Video - Fallopian tube blocks and treatment options
• Diseases of the Fallopian Tubes
• Detecting a blockage
• Treatment Options

Diseases of the Fallopian Tubes

Abnormalities in the fallopian tube are one of the leading causes of female infertility. This is mainly caused by PID ( Pelvic inflammatory disease ) which can be caused by -

• Tuberculosis
• Infection after childbirth, miscarriage, termination of pregnancy ( MTP) or IUD (intrauterine device) insertion
• Post-operative pelvic infection (e.g. perforated appendix, ovarian cysts)
• Severe endometriosis
• Sexually transmitted diseases (e.g. Gonorrhea, Chlamydia)

PID(pelvic inflammatory disease) affects the tubes in two ways -

• Causes Blockages in the Fallopian Tubes
• Causes adhesions on the surface of the tubes which affects the functioning of the tubes.

Does a blockage exist?

A Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) or laparoscopy can be used to detect blockages in the fallopian tube. In the HSG, a dye is passed through the uterine cavity and then flows through the tubes into the abdomen. The flow of the dye can be seen through X-Rays. The procedure itself can be painful and pain-killers maybe recommended by the doctor prior to the procedure.

If the X-rays do not show any fluid entering the tubes, that is an indicator that the tubes are blocked at the uterine end. If the tubes are blocked at the fimbrial end, there is no spillover visible in the abdomen. If a blockage is detected, the doctor may recommend a laparoscopy to confirm the diagnosis.

Both HSG and laparoscopy can identify if the tubes are blocked but they cannot help in determining the functioning of an open tube. Recent techniques like tuboscopy and falloposcopy can help in inspecting the inner lining of the fallopian tubes. This can help to assess the state of the tube.

Treatment Options

The doctor will weigh two options - correcting the tubal damage through surgery and an IVF procedure. Tubal surgery maybe recommended in cases where there are adhesions on the surface of the tube or endometriosis. However, if the tubes are severely damaged or blocked in multiple places the results of tubal surgery are not very encouraging. In these cases,the doctor may recommend an IVF procedure. If only one tube is blocked and the other is functioning normally, surgery may not be recommended as the one working tube is suficient for conception.