Complications of Hydrosalpinx

A hydrosalpinx is a fallopian tube blocked and stretched by fluid, often after inflammation or scarring. The affected tube may prevent sperm and egg from meeting. Fluid can also move back towards the uterus and interfere with implantation during fertility treatment. Some people have no symptoms, while others notice pelvic pain, pressure, unusual discharge, or difficulty becoming pregnant.

If pregnancy occurs with damaged tubes, an embryo may implant outside the uterus, causing an ectopic pregnancy. This is an emergency because internal bleeding can develop. A past pelvic infection, including [Pelvic Inflammatory Disease](/conditions/pelvic-inflammatory-disease/), may be relevant to the assessment.

Your clinician may use ultrasound or other tests to assess the tube and look for causes of scarring. Treatment depends on symptoms, the other tube, fertility goals, and whether infection is present. Options can include observation, treatment of infection, surgery to remove the affected tube, or fertility treatment. [Salpingectomy](/treatments/gynaecological-surgery/salpingectomy/) removes a fallopian tube; [IVF](/treatments/fertility-and-assisted-reproduction/ivf/) may bypass the tubes when appropriate.

If you could be pregnant, seek urgent care for one-sided pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding, shoulder-tip pain, dizziness, fainting, or sudden severe abdominal pain. These symptoms can occur with ectopic pregnancy. Seek prompt review for fever, worsening pelvic pain, vomiting, or foul-smelling discharge, which may indicate infection.

Ask whether one or both tubes are affected, what may have caused the scarring, how your ovarian and tubal health will be checked, whether removal could help fertility treatment, and how to act if pregnancy symptoms occur.