Symptoms of blockage fallopian tube, causes & treatment

Written by PeerlessOne on 17-08-2026
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Teesta Banerjee (DNB - Gynae & Obs)
Last Update on 17-08-2026

Table of Content

1. Introduction
2. What is a blocked fallopian tube
3. Symptoms
4. Ectopic Pregnancy
5. Reasons for blockage in the fallopian tube.
6. Checklist of Risk factors
7. Endometriosis
8. Hydrosalpinx
9. Risk factors
10. Diagnosis
11. Treatment options
12. About IVF
13. Can a blocked fallopian tube open up on its own?
14. Prevention
15. Conclusion
16. FAQs

Introduction

Fallopian tube blockage or tubal factor infertility is believed to be responsible for anywhere between 25 and 35 per cent of female infertility cases in India. In most of these cases, the root cause could have been avoided with a bit of care. But there is a huge awareness gap that needs to be bridged.

What is a blocked fallopian tube

The Fallopian tube plays an essential part in reproductive physiology.  It connects the uterus to the ovaries. It is the site where the actual process of fertilisation takes place. Once the egg is released from the ovaries, it is picked up by the fimbrial end (infundibulum) of the fallopian tube, sucked inside and into the ampullary end of the fallopian tube, where the fertilisation process occurs.  

The fallopian tube is a structure, a part of the uterus that connects to the ovaries. During the menstrual cycle, particularly during the middle of the cycle – the 14^th, 15^th or 16^th day – ovulation occurs, where one matured egg is released from the ovary. This matured egg is picked up by the Fallopian Tube, the ends of which are called the fimbriae. The fimbriae pick up the egg and transport it inside the Fallopian Tube. The midsection of the fallopian tube is called the ampulla, where fertilisation – the union of the male and the female gamete (sperm and ovum)- takes place.

During intercourse, the seminal fluid is deposited in the vagina; the sperm swim up the uterine cavity and migrate to the fallopian tube, where the initial fertilisation occurs. From there, the formed embryo migrates to the uterus. It sits inside the endometrium (the innermost mucosal layer of the uterus) and gives rise to the pregnancy sac or the very early foetus. Thus, the fallopian tube plays a crucial role in the early stages of reproduction. If anything in it that tube impedes the movement of these movements will impact the childbearing ability. As it is the route from the ovary to the uterus, it is very important to assess the patency, or the absence of any blockage, of the fallopian tube when treating any woman complaining of infertility.

Symptoms

First and foremost, there might be an inability to conceive – the patient may be trying for months and even years without spontaneous pregnancy occurring. There might be symptoms of lower abdominal pain; there might be occasional fever, urgency of repeated urination, and painful menstruation – all of which will point towards a need for the assessment of the fallopian tube. Foul-smelling vaginal discharge, or abnormal discharge between two menstrual cycles, and chronic pelvic pain may also be considered a red flag.  

Very often, a blockage in the fallopian tube leads to the collection of secretions inside, which often leads to inflammation and pain. This may also lead to painful intercourse. The medical term often used is dyspareunia, which is a deep-seated pelvic pain that occurs particularly during intercourse.

Ectopic Pregnancy

As explained earlier, the process of fertilisation occurs in the ampulla part of the fallopian tube; physiology dictates that from here the embryo should migrate to the uterus and sit inside the endometrium, which is known as implantation. In some rare cases. It may so happen that the embryo does not move out of the fallopian tube and gets implanted in places other than where it is supposed to be. This leads to an ectopic pregnancy. The term ectopic stands for an abnormally located pregnancy, other than in the uterus.

Reasons for blockage in the fallopian tube.

There might be some infection in the fallopian tube; there might be some history of prior surgery (caused by some tumour, or cyst, or ectopic pregnancy); there might be some endometrial deposits (patches of tissue similar to the lining of the uterus that grow outside the uterus, typically on pelvic organs like the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and bladder. These deposits respond to hormonal changes, thickening and bleeding during menstruation, which leads to inflammation, pain, and scar tissue blocking the fallopian tube.)

Checklist of Risk factors

History of sexually transmitted infection or pelvic inflammatory diseases, in particular some viral infections like chlamydia that cause fallopian tube blockage.

Other than that, Endometriosis in a patient with a history of severe pain during menstruation, or an irregular menstrual cycle, or the presence of some ovarian cysts, and a history of prior surgery in the pelvis, such as ectopic pregnancy, which may have been surgically operated, are factors that need to be taken into consideration.  

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a chronic condition where we find the lining layer of the uterus, that is, the endometrial tissue, thickens, bleeds, and breaks down with each menstrual cycle, leading to inflammation, pain, and scarring.

Hydrosalpinx

Hydrosalpinx relates to a collection of fluids inside a blocked fallopian tube.

Risk factors

A blocked fallopian tube is in itself a cause for infertility. An infected fallopian tube may lead to recurrent pregnancy loss – the infected fluid may release different chemicals into the uterine cavity that may make the uterus unfavourable for carrying a pregnancy. The result is pregnancy loss, particularly during IVF procedures   

Diagnosis

The commonly used test is Hysterosalpingogram (HSG), in which a contrast dye is injected through the cervix to outline the uterus and fallopian tubes. If tubes are open, the dye flows through and spills into the abdominal cavity. However, this may cause some pain. Sonohysterography (SHG / SSG) and minimally invasive Laparoscopic procedures are also resorted to. But the gold standard continues to be direct visualisation.

Treatment options

Some procedures can be both diagnostic (looking at the problem) and therapeutic (treating it). For example, when a liquid is injected to address the problem, increasing the liquid's force to force open the blockage is also available in certain cases. During laparoscopic procedures, the option to restore normal anatomy is also available. Cannulation of the fallopian tube can also be conducted during the assessment procedure itself. For pelvic infections too, injection of antibiotic formulations can be used for treatment purposes.

About IVF

The physiology of the ova being transported to the Uterus is a very delicate process. Once the fallopian tube is infected or compromised, chances of this migration become very low. Thus, patients with some kind of infection or blockage in the fallopian tube always benefit from IVF.

IVF is a controlled procedure where the actual factors that control reproduction are modified. Problems relating to conception can exist at different levels. Be it at the level of the ovary, the fallopian tube, or the uterus, IVF helps overcome the problems affecting the normal process of conception. The eggs and the sperm are collected, fertilised under a controlled laboratory environment, when even pre-implantation genetic screening can be done, and are placed within the woman’s body. However, it should be pointed out that IVF may not necessarily rule out an additional surgical procedure, like the clipping of the fallopian tube.

Overall, IVF with clipping of the fallopian tube has a success rate of about 60 per cent. Recanalisation has a lower success rate; statistically speaking, it would be around 20 per cent. There is no natural or ayurvedic solution to addressing issues relating to fallopian tube blockages, and only surgical or clinical management is recommended.

The functioning of the fallopian tube declining with the advancement of age in the patient is a misnomer. Often, women above the age of 45 conceive and mistake it as menopause. It is also statistically established that fertility in India is on a gradual decline. This is where the new concept of fertility planning has come in. Infertility experts are helping women preserve their ova for future use, which is increasingly becoming popular.

Can a blocked fallopian tube open up on its own?

Very unlikely, but with certain procedures it can be opened up.

Prevention

Prevention of fallopian tube damage is possible with the maintenance of adequate hygiene during menstruation, before and after sexual intercourse. There is a general lack of awareness about the maintenance of adequate hygiene, and we need to address this issue. Changing sanitary napkins every four hours during menstruation, the daily sterilisation of the menstrual cup if they are using one, and using protection during intercourse, especially the use of a condom in case of multiple partners, and general cleanliness cannot be overemphasised.

The moment a couple walks into a medical clinic, the process of treatment begins. They are assured that it is a closed place where their privacy is secured and that they can pour out their thoughts or concerns freely. Women, for example, even women above forty, have become more forthcoming about their sexual history. Reluctance to use terms like vulva, vagina, etc among patients has also gone down, which is also a healthy trend.

Men in general are less forthcoming about discussing their sexual history and often harbour the belief that there cannot be anything wrong with them in terms of sexual or reproductive health. They need to be probed with questions and be led to open up gradually. Test reports also help in the process.

Conclusion

With the spread of awareness, more and more people have started to seek medical advice quite early if some issues concerning the reproductive system are suspected. But the numbers are as yet very low. Safe sex practices and knowledge to take care of oneself are two very important factors that need to be talked about to boost awareness and prevent fertility loss that could otherwise have been avoided in many cases.

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