Tubal Disease

Diseases of the fallopian tube are a relatively common cause of infertility. Once the eggs are released from the follicles on the ovary, they must travel unimpeded through the fallopian tubes to the uterus. Any blockage, or other damage to the fallopian tubes, can prevent passage of the egg.

Endometriosis is a common cause of tubal obstruction wherein the endometrial implants attach to, and sometimes penetrate, the tubes. Serious pelvic infections can lead to damaged fallopian tubes and can also affect the ovaries, uterus and other reproductive organs. Proper treatment of these infections with appropriate antibiotics is critical to avoiding damage.

The fallopian tubes can also be scarred from previous surgeries and some women seek to have tubal sterilization procedures reversed. While surgical tubal reversal is sometimes possible, tubal ligation should be considered permanent. Realistically, in today’s culture with high divorce rates, the number of women seeking reversals has increased. The ability to reconnect the tubes depends largely upon where and how they were tied.  A skilled reproductive microsurgeon, like Dr. Allon, should always be consulted.

Per cycle IVF success rates for women with “tied tubes” are higher than those for tubal reversal.  IVF avoids the tubes because the eggs are retrieved and fertilized in the laboratory.  Even though the per cycle success rates for surgical connection are lower, some women choose surgery because there is no limit to how many cycles they may try. The number of IVF cycles may be limited by cost.