Fallopian Tubes Infertility

In a spontaneous conception, eggs and sperm meet inside the Fallopian tubes. It is quite rare for the sperm not to be able to rapidly arrive in the Fallopian tubes after ejaculation or insemination even if their motility is "sluggish".

The eggs, on the other hand, need at least one healthy Fallopian tube to be captured by, and brought inside the tube to meet the waiting sperm. There are several conditions (i.e., tubal blockages, pelvic adhesions (scars, adhesions caused by endometriosis) which can make it difficult, if not impossible, for this meeting of the egg and sperm to occur.

 

Pelvic Adhesions (Scarring)      

 

 

It may be possible to repair the damaged Fallopian tubes by operative laparoscopy or laparotomy. Unfortunately, the pregnancy probability after a corrective surgery may be disappointingly low and it may take several years before it is known whether the surgery worked. There is also an increased risk that a pregnancy after a tubal surgery will implant outside the uterus (ectopic pregnancy) possibly requiring additional surgery.

Fortunately, it is possible to bypass the role of the Fallopian tubes altogether with In Vitro Fertilization. If the Fallopian tubes are the main cause of infertility, IVF pregnancy rates are typically quite high.

 

If you have any questions regarding tubal infertility or to request an appointment, please contact us by phone at 650-322-0500, via email at care@BayIVF.com, or use the Contact Bay IVF Center form on this page.