If you’re a woman trying to have a baby, you probably know that there are many parts of your body that have to work just right. Your ovaries need to produce an egg every month, called ovulation, your uterus has to be in good shape, and your fallopian tubes have to be open.
If any one of these important parts isn’t functioning correctly, you might have trouble getting pregnant.
If your fallopian tubes are blocked, sperm won’t be able to reach your egg or the fertilized egg won’t be able to get into your uterus. Blocked tubes can happen for several different reasons, but no matter the cause, you will be diagnose with a test called hysterosalpingogram.
WHAT IS A HYSTEROSALPINGOGRAM?
A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is a procedure that uses an X-ray to look at your fallopian tubes and uterus. It usually takes less than 5 minutes and you can go home the same day.
You will probably do the procedure after your period but before you ovulate, since it’s less likely you’ll be pregnant during this time. This will be during the first half of your cycle, probably between days 1 and 14.
HOW IT’S DONE
You’ll start by lying down on a table under an X-ray imager called a fluoroscope. She’ll insert a speculum into your vagina to keep it open, and then clean your cervix.
Next she’ll insert a thin tube called a cannula into your cervix and gently fill your uterus with a liquid containing iodine. The iodine contrasts with your uterus and fallopian tubes on the X-rays.
Finally remove the speculum, and will take images with the fluoroscope X-ray. The contrasting liquid will show the outline of your uterus and fallopian tubes and how the fluid moves through them.
You might have some vaginal spotting for a few days after the procedure. Cramps, dizziness, and stomach discomfort are possible, as well.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
HSG is relatively safe, but all procedures have risks. You may have problems if you have an allergic reaction to the dye in the fluid. Pelvic infection or injury to your uterus are also possible.
- Vaginal discharge that smells unpleasant
- Fainting
- Severe pain or cramping in your abdomen
- Vomiting
- Heavy vaginal bleeding
- Fever
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 40 percent of infertile women.
It’s unusual for women with blocked fallopian tubes to experience any symptoms. Many women assume that if they are having regular periods, their fertility is fine. This isn’t always true.
HOW DO BLOCKED FALLOPIAN TUBES CAUSE INFERTILITY?
Each month, when ovulation occurs, an egg is released from one of the ovaries. The egg travels from the ovary, through the tubes, and into the uterus. The sperm also need to swim their way from the cervix, through the uterus, and through the fallopian tubes to get to the egg. Fertilization usually takes place while the egg is traveling through the tube.
If one or both fallopian tubes are blocked, the egg cannot reach the uterus, and the sperm cannot reach the egg, preventing fertilization and pregnancy.
It’s also possible for the tube not to be blocked totally, but only partially. This can increase the risk of a tubal pregnancy, or ectopic pregnancy.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BLOCKED FALLOPIAN TUBES?
Unlike anovulation, where irregular menstrual cycles may hint to a problem, blocked fallopian tubes rarely cause symptoms.
A specific kind of blocked fallopian tube called hydrosalpinx may cause lower abdominal pain and unusual vaginal discharge, but not every woman will have these symptoms. Hydrosalpinx is when a blockage causes the tube to dilate (increase in diameter) and fill with fluid. The fluid blocks the egg and sperm, preventing fertilization and pregnancy.
However, some of the causes can lead to other problems. For example, endometriosis and pelvic inflammatory disease may cause painful menstruation and painful sexual intercourse, but these symptoms don’t necessarily point to blocked tubes.
WHAT CAUSES BLOCKED FALLOPIAN TUBES?
The most common cause is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID is the result of a sexually transmitted disease, but not all pelvic infections are related to STDs. Also, even if PID is no longer present, a history of PID or pelvic infection increases the risk of blocked tubes.
OTHER POTENTIAL CAUSES OF BLOCKED FALLOPIAN TUBES INCLUDE:
- Current or history of an STD infection, specifically chlamydia or gonorrhea
- History of uterine infection caused by an abortion or miscarriage
- History of a ruptured appendix
- History of abdominal surgery
- Previous ectopic pregnancy
- Prior surgery involving the fallopian tubes
- Endometriosis