Can You Get Pregnant With Blocked Fallopian Tubes? Risks & Treatment Options

Can You Get Pregnant With Blocked Fallopian Tubes? Risks & Treatment Options

The Possibility Of Pregnancy With Blocked Fallopian Tubes

In order for fertilization to occur, the sperm and egg meet at the fallopian tubes. Fertilization is not possible without any treatment if a woman has blocked fallopian tubes. However, if only one tube is blocked then there is a possibility for pregnancy to occur. As long as one tube is functioning and regular menstruation occurs, there is a chance of pregnancy to happen.

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Treating blocked tubes without surgery and the risks

The treatment options for blocked tubes depend on the patient’s case and the doctor will recommend the best one. The non-surgical method is known as fallopian tube recanalization. In this procedure, there is a risk of ectopic pregnancy where the egg is implanted outside the uterus. Other associated risks include the reoccurrence of blocked tubes and infection of the fallopian tube.

Surgical procedures for blocked fallopian tubes and associated risks

In some cases, the healthcare provider will suggest surgery to fix the tubes to ensure pregnancy happens. The surgery is done to open up the tube, create an opening, or remove scar tissue. The surgical options include tubal ligation reversal surgery, salpingectomy, salpingostomy, and fimbrioplasty. The possible complications vary and may include infection, adhesions, bleeding, injury to adjacent organs, and ectopic pregnancy. There is no guarantee that surgery will help a woman become pregnant as many other factors come into play.

What are the chances of getting pregnant?

When surgery is performed, pregnancy success depends on the location of the blockage and the severity of the damage. After the fallopian tubes are fixed, the probability of getting pregnant depends on several factors. These include the woman’s age, the severity of damaged tubes, and sperm health. If a woman is not able to conceive even after surgery, then there are other ways to conceive such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Pregnancy outcomes in different scenarios

If one tube is blocked while the other tube is healthy, the chances of pregnancy are good. If there are only a few adhesions, pregnancy chances are still good. When there are a lot of adhesions between ovaries and tubes, the likelihood of conceiving is not favorable. When a tube is filled with water and the tube walls are thin, the result of pregnancy is poor. In circumstances where pregnancy is not favorable, the doctor will provide alternative options to conceive such as assisted reproductive technology (ART).

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