What are the treatment options for blocked fallopian tubes?

Fallopian tubes carry an egg from an ovary and provide the usual meeting place for egg and sperm. A blockage can affect one or both tubes. It may follow pelvic infection, endometriosis, previous surgery, or scarring, but a test result should be interpreted with the rest of your fertility assessment.

A tubal dye test uses imaging to check whether dye passes through the tubes. A result can sometimes need further review because tubal spasm or technical factors may resemble blockage. Your clinician may also assess ovulation, sperm health, and the womb.

If a blockage is limited and surgery is appropriate, a fertility specialist may discuss procedures to open or repair the tube. Benefits and the chance of scarring returning need careful consideration. Removing a damaged tube, called salpingectomy, may be recommended in particular situations such as a fluid-filled tube or ectopic-pregnancy risk.

IVF collects eggs and fertilises them outside the body before placing an embryo in the womb, so the fallopian tubes are bypassed. The choice depends on tubal findings, age, ovarian reserve, sperm results, previous treatment, and your preferences.

Arrange fertility assessment for absent pregnancy after a period of trying, especially if you have had pelvic infection, endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy, or tubal surgery. Seek urgent help for a positive pregnancy test with one-sided pelvic pain, shoulder-tip pain, dizziness, or bleeding, because these can be warning signs of an ectopic pregnancy.

Ask whether the blockage is on one side or both, how certain the test is, whether surgery is realistic, how the other fertility factors affect the plan, and whether IVF or another route is safer for you.