Healthy fallopian tubes play an important role in conception, helping the egg, sperm, and embryo travel where they need to go. When one or both tubes are blocked or damaged, becoming pregnant can be more difficult. Understanding what’s affecting your fallopian tubes can help you find the right path forward.
The fallopian tubes connect the ovaries to the uterus and play an essential role in conception. After an egg is released from an ovary, it enters a fallopian tube, where fertilization typically occurs. The developing embryo then travels through the tube to reach the uterus.
Tubal disease, sometimes called tubal factor infertility, occurs when damage or a blockage interferes with this process. One or both fallopian tubes may be affected, and the location and severity of the damage can influence your fertility and treatment options.
Common causes include pelvic infections, endometriosis, scar tissue from previous abdominal or pelvic surgery, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Tubal ligation also intentionally blocks or interrupts the fallopian tubes.
Because tubal disease may not cause noticeable symptoms, some people first learn they have it during a fertility evaluation. Testing can help determine whether your fallopian tubes are open and identify the next steps that may be appropriate for you.
Because tubal disease often has no obvious symptoms, fertility testing can provide important answers. One of the most common tests is a hysterosalpingogram (HSG), which uses contrast dye and X-ray imaging to determine whether the fallopian tubes are open. Other evaluations may include ultrasound-based testing or laparoscopy in certain circumstances.
If testing identifies a blockage or other tubal damage, we’ll help you understand what it means for your fertility and discuss your options. Treatment depends on factors including the location and severity of the damage, whether one or both tubes are affected, your age, and other fertility factors.
A tubal disease diagnosis doesn’t mean there is only one path forward. Your treatment options will depend on the type and extent of tubal damage, your age, other fertility factors, and your individual fertility goals.
One of the most common tests is a hysterosalpingogram (HSG), which uses contrast dye and X-ray imaging to determine whether the fallopian tubes are open. If blockage is seen where the tube connects to the uterus, a small procedure at the time of HSG may help unblock the entrance to the fallopian tube.
Using air bubbles, an ultrasound can also help evaluate the fallopian tubes and determine whether there’s a blockage.
Laparoscopy is a short, minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows the doctor to view the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes up close. Very thin surgical instruments are placed in the abdomen to confirm tubal disease and remove scar tissue causing blockage. If tubal damage is severe and the fallopian tube retains old fluid (hydrosalpinx), the recommendation may be to remove the fallopian tube to improve chances of successful pregnancy. As always, there is preplanning and shared decision making prior to removal of any reproductive structures.
IVF bypasses the fallopian tubes by retrieving eggs directly from the ovaries and fertilizing them in the laboratory before an embryo is transferred to the uterus.
Both Dr. Wright and Dr. Nesbit played a huge role in our treatment. They made us feel hopeful while also being sure to stay realistic and setting us up for success.”
Alison & Paul
When you’re navigating tubal disease, having the right team matters. We take a holistic, personalized approach that considers your hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive health. As part of a collaborative network of fertility specialists, you’ll receive individualized care backed by decades of expertise.
We’ve cared for individuals going through tubal disease, developing the clinical expertise to provide accurate diagnoses, thoughtful treatment recommendations, and compassionate care.
Our physicians stay at the forefront of reproductive medicine through ongoing research, collaboration, and continuous education, bringing the latest evidence and treatment advances directly to our patients.
Fertility is connected to your overall health. Our holistic approach considers factors such as nutrition, metabolic health, lifestyle, and emotional well-being alongside your fertility care, helping create a plan that supports you as a whole person.
Fallopian tubes can become blocked or damaged for several reasons. Common causes include: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or other pelvic infections, endometriosis,
scar tissue from previous abdominal or pelvic surgery, previous tubal surgery or tubal ligation
In rare cases, a person may also be born without one or both fallopian tubes.
Tubal disease may not cause noticeable symptoms. For some people, difficulty becoming pregnant is the first indication that there may be a problem with the fallopian tubes.
Because tubal damage can be associated with conditions such as endometriosis or pelvic infections, some people may have symptoms related to those conditions. Fertility testing can help determine whether the fallopian tubes are open and functioning as expected.
A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is commonly used to evaluate the fallopian tubes. During an HSG, contrast dye is placed in the uterus while X-ray images show whether the dye can pass through the tubes.
Other options may include ultrasound-based testing or laparoscopy. Laparoscopy allows a physician to evaluate the fallopian tubes and surrounding pelvis for conditions such as endometriosis or scar tissue.
Pregnancy may still be possible if one fallopian tube is open and other fertility factors are favorable. Your chances depend on several factors, including your age, overall reproductive health, and the location and extent of any tubal damage. A fertility evaluation can help determine how your tubal health may affect your ability to conceive and whether treatment should be considered.
Yes. Tubal disease may be associated with a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy, which occurs when a pregnancy implants outside the uterus, most often in a fallopian tube.
If you have tubal disease and become pregnant, your care team may recommend early monitoring to confirm that the pregnancy is developing in the uterus.