Deciding to get pregnant is a big decision and one that’s possible even after getting your tubes tied. Learn how tubal ligation reversal works, and see if it’s an option for you and your family.
Pregnancy hinges upon properly functioning fallopian (uterine) tubes, which carry a women's egg from the ovary to the uterus (womb). The process of fertilization, in which a man's sperm joins with the woman's egg, takes place in the fallopian tubes, but should a tubal blockage—or some other factor whereby the fallopian tubes fail to work—occur, fertilization is prevented, ultimately preventing pregnancy. These instances are referred to as tubal factor infertility.
Tubal factor infertility accounts for between 20 and 25% of all infertility cases and includes instances where the fallopian tubes are completely blocked as well as cases in which only 1 of the fallopian tubes is blocked. Additionally, instances where neither of the fallopian tubes are blocked but they have sustained tubal scaring or other damage are covered under the umbrella term of tubal factor infertility.
To schedule a consultation with a qualified healthcare provider in that specializes in tubal factor infertility treatment, call (408) 946-9453 or contact us online.
Tubal factor infertility can result from scarring caused by infection, abdominal surgery and diseases such as endometriosis (when tissue from the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterus).
Sexually transmitted diseases, most commonly chlamydia and gonorrhea, can cause Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), an infection of a woman's upper reproductive system—including the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries—which causes an intense inflammatory response, the result of which can be scarring of the delicate inner lining of the fallopian tubes (tubal mucosa) from damage sustained from combatting infection. The damage sustained from PID can cause tubal factor infertility. Other risk factors for tubal infertility include:
Tubal blockage symptoms are few and far between. Typically, patients with tubal factor infertility are asymptomatic. By the time patients present with pelvic pain, which could indicate severe tubal damage, irreparable damage may have been sustained, making it important to undergo regular gynecological examinations to ensure a potential issue is spotted and treated early.
Treating tubal infertility starts with early detection. For instance, spotting pelvic inflammatory disease, a leading cause of tubal infertility, early will prompt your healthcare provider to recommend aggressive IV antibiotics to ensure tubal damage is minimized and fertility is preserved.
If your healthcare provider suspects your fallopian tubes are in danger, a hysterosalpingogram (an X-ray performed to visualize the cervix and uterine cavity) will be performed. A laparoscopy may also be recommended to diagnose tubal damage that is caused by something other than tubal blockage, such as scar tissue. Rarely, tubal catheterization may be recommended, which uses a special scope to inspect and assess the mucosal lining of the fallopian tubes.
Tubal infertility can be treated through two methods:
It is important to regularly undergo regular gynecological exams and report any of your symptoms to your healthcare provider, as the spread of infection can lead to irreparable damage to your fallopian tubes when left untreated. If you are looking to get pregnant and experience infertility due to an issue with your fallopian tubes, you do have options. Schedule a consultation with a qualified healthcare provider in that specializes in tubal factor infertility treatment. Call (408) 946-9453 or contact us online.
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