IVF Treatment for Blocked Fallopian Tubes By Michael Vermesh on December 28, 2018

In vitro fertilization, or IVF, is one of the most effective fertility treatments, helping men and women overcome infertility problems and realize their dreams of having children.

IVF can address many different fertility issues, including blocked fallopian tubes. At the Center for Fertility and Gynecology, Drs. Michael Vermesh and Tannaz Toloubeydokhti offer IVF for blocked fallopian tubes to help couples in the Los Angeles, CA area realize their dreams of starting a family.

About Fallopian Tube Blockage

The fallopian tubes can become blocked for many reasons.

The fallopian tubes may be damaged by scar tissue that develops as a result of surgery or infection.

The blockage can also be congenital.

In addition, fallopian tube blockage may have be purposeful, such as when a tubal ligation is performed.

How Do Blocked Fallopian Tubes Interfere with Fertility?

The fallopian tubes are narrow passageways that play an important role in conception. When an egg is released from the ovaries, it will travel through the fallopian tubes to reach the uterus.

When the fallopian tubes are blocked, the egg will not be able to freely move through the fallopian tubes. This can prevent sperm from reaching the egg, and prevent the egg from reaching the uterus.

In some cases, blocked fallopian tubes can cause fluid to collect within the tube, which can lead to a condition called hydrosalpinx. If hydrosalpinx is present, the fluid can affect the uterus and decrease the success rate of IVF.

Blocked Fallopian Tubes, Ectopic Pregnancy, and IVF

One of the concerns of blocked fallopian tubes is ectopic pregancy. Ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that implants outside of the uterus.

An ectopic pregnancy can occur in the fallopian tubes if the tubes are partially blocked. Partial blockage can allow sperm through to fertilize the egg, but the egg, or embryo, may not be able to move out of the fallopian tube to the uterus.

If a fertilized egg, or embryo, remains within the fallopian tube, it can cause heavy bleeding and other health complications.

IVF treatment bypasses the fallopian tubes, which can help women with blocked fallopian tubes to successfully conceive.

IVF Bypasses the Fallopian Tubes

IVF treatment bypasses the fallopian tubes both at fertilization and implantation.

During IVF treatment, eggs are harvested from the woman's body and combined with sperm outside of the body. The eggs are harvested before they reach the fallopian tubes, which means blocked tubes typically don't interfere with the harvesting of eggs.

Once the eggs are combined with sperm, they are allowed several days to mature. Once ready, one or more embryos are placed within the uterus, bypassing the fallopian tubes. If successful, implantation will occur and a healthy pregnancy will follow.

IVF and Blockage Caused by Hydrosalpinx

Blocked fallopian tubes caused by hydrosalpinx, a fluid collection within the fallopian tubes, can decrease the success rate of IVF. This is because the fluid within the fallopian tubes can interfere with the lining of the uterus, making it difficult for embryos to implant.

Fortunately, treating hydrosalpinx prior to IVF treatment can drastically increase the success rates of IVF. Hydrosalpinx may be treated by opening the blocked ends of the fallopian tubes through surgery.

In other cases, a special device may be placed within the fallopian tubes to prevent fluid leakage. In the most extreme cases, the fallopian tubes may be removed.