Condition guide
Tubal factor infertility
Blocked or damaged fallopian tubes, where IVF exists precisely because surgery often cannot fix the problem.
Written and reviewed by the MyBabyBridge editorial team · Last reviewed · 3 sources · General information, not medical advice. Our editorial standards
What it is
The fallopian tube is where egg and sperm meet, so blockage or damage prevents conception regardless of how good the eggs and sperm are. Causes include prior pelvic infection, endometriosis, previous pelvic or tubal surgery, ectopic pregnancy, and tubal ligation. A hydrosalpinx — a tube distended with fluid — also reduces IVF success when left in place, because the fluid can reach the uterine cavity.
Unfamiliar term? See the fertility glossary.
Signs people notice
Having one of these does not mean you have this condition, and having none does not rule it out.
- Often none
- Difficulty conceiving with otherwise normal testing
- A history of pelvic inflammatory disease, chlamydia, or pelvic surgery
- A previous ectopic pregnancy
- Pelvic pain, in some cases
How it is diagnosed
Hysterosalpingogram, or an ultrasound-based equivalent, to assess whether tubes are open. Laparoscopy provides a direct view where surgery is being considered.
Treatment paths that usually follow
- IVF, which bypasses the tubes entirely and is the primary treatment for significant tubal disease
- Surgical removal or clipping of a hydrosalpinx before IVF, which improves implantation rates
- Tubal surgery in carefully selected cases of mild, isolated disease
- Reversal of tubal ligation in selected patients, weighed against IVF
Each of these is explained in the treatment library. Which one is right depends on your age, your history, and your own priorities.
What to ask your clinician
- Is one tube open or both blocked, and where is the blockage?
- Do I have a hydrosalpinx, and should it be removed before transfer?
- Is surgery or IVF the better use of my time and money given my age?
- What is my ectopic pregnancy risk going forward?
Sources
- Women's Health Frequently Asked Questions — American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
- Practice Guidance and Committee Opinions — American Society for Reproductive Medicine
- Infertility — MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
A diagnosis is a starting point, not a plan.
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