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What Are the Different Methods for Unblocking Fallopian Tubes?

A. Pasbjerg
A. Pasbjerg

A fallopian tube that is partially or completely blocked will typically stop the passage of sperm and eggs, leading to infertility problems, but women with this issue have a variety of options that can help clear the blockage. There are several surgical techniques that may be used, depending on the type of blockage and where it is in the tube. There are also numerous natural options for unblocking fallopian tubes. A variety of herbs can be used to reduce inflammation and clear adhesions in the tubes, while massage may help to break up scar tissue and other blockages. Improvement of overall health through good nutrition, stress reduction, and avoiding substances like nicotine and alcohol can help as well.

One option that many women choose for unblocking fallopian tubes is surgery. Depending on the type of surgery required, this may involve the surgeon going into the abdomen through an incision called a laparotomy, using a small incision to insert a laparascope, or inserting a catheter through the cervix and uterus. It may be necessary to remove a portion of the tube and reattach the ends, rebuild the end of a tube, or create a new opening through a blocked area.

A diagram of the female reproductive system, including the fallopian tubes.
A diagram of the female reproductive system, including the fallopian tubes.

Women who prefer natural options to surgery may want to look at the use of herbs for unblocking fallopian tubes. Herbal supplements can be taken orally, or applied directly to the reproductive system using tampons or douches. Yi mu cao and xi xian cao are two herbs commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine for this purpose. Herbs that can be used to help clear up inflammation, adhesions, and bacterial infections while stimulating circulation in the fallopian tubes include frankincense, ginger, and ginseng. Other herbs that may also help include red clover, garlic, and chamomile.

Massage is another technique known to help with unblocking fallopian tubes. Manipulation of the tissues can help break up scar tissue and any other materials in the tubes. It also stimulates circulation to clear them away.

Massaging and manipulating the tissue in the abdominal area may help to unblock fallopian tubes.
Massaging and manipulating the tissue in the abdominal area may help to unblock fallopian tubes.

When it comes to unblocking fallopian tubes, a woman's general health plays an important role. Eating healthy foods and taking nutritional supplements can contribute to the health of the reproductive organs. Stress should be reduced as it can affect hormone balances and may cause spasms in the tubes; in addition to relaxation techniques, practices like acupuncture, exercise, and yoga may help with this. Drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes can all have negative effects on the fallopian tubes as well, and so should be avoided.

Discussion Comments

anon344183

I am from Ghana. West Africa. I have trying for children for about five years now, but all to no avail. I had a ruptured appendix in 2008 and this led to a major operation.

A year later, I went to see a radiologist for HSG and the result read that my cervical canal is under filled for comment. The uterine cavity is out head. Both tubes are demonstrated and there is a loculated spillage on the right and free spillage on the left. Can anyone say something about my case?

anon296675

I have PID and had an ectopic pregnancy three weeks ago. Is there anything I can do to unblock or help my tubes?

nanny3

I know some people wonder, “Can you get pregnant without fallopian tubes?” The fact is that you cannot.

The fallopian tubes, or at least one of them, need to be functioning normally in order for a woman to conceive. For different reasons, the tubes can become blocked or damaged.

That is why one of the first things that is checked when infertility is suspected are the tubes.

There is a good deal of hope that both, or at least one, of the tubes can be repaired if there is a blockage or scarring preventing conception.

Those who suspect that they may have this problem, or who have had pelvic inflammatory disease, should really talk to their doctor if they have trouble getting pregnant.

However, keep in mind that it is considered normal for it to take a couple up to a full year to conceive. So, if you or your partner doesn’t get pregnant right away, don’t panic. Just enjoy the getting there!

poppyseed

Is it possible to unblock any kind of clogged fallopian tube without an operation? I’ve had some issues in the past that has left my tubes with some scarring and such.

Now, my husband and I would like to have a baby. We’ve been trying for several months, but the pregnancy test always comes back negative.

I’m starting to feel like I’ll never conceive, and I desperately want to have a child of my own. I read the article, and I know there are some surgical procedures that are supposed to help with this.

I’m scared of going under the knife again, though. Can fallopian tubes be unblocked with herbal remedies and massage in reality, or is this just a really great theory?

I’ll try anything at this point.

Eviemae

@Mrs. Winslow – I do have PCOS, and it did keep me from getting pregnant for a very long time.

However, before my doctors blamed all of my infertility problems on something that is really not that simple to diagnose, they checked my fallopian tubes for blockages.

It was a very simple process, and didn’t hurt at all. I went to a specialist – an endocrinologist – who run dye into my tubes and watched on an ultrasound how the dye traveled.

He explained that while this could allow him to see a blockage, it could also remove a small blockage. He also said that many women leave from the procedure only to get pregnant in the next month or two.

That didn’t happen for me, and I didn’t have any blockages that were visual. However, it gave me peace of mind to know that at least that part of my body was functioning halfway normally!

Ask your doctor to have this done if it will make you feel better.

ElizaBennett

@MrsWinslow - I've never heard of PCOS causing blocked tubes. The most common cause is PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease), which is usually caused by an untreated STD like chlamydia. The other common cause is endometriosis, which is when the tissue of the uterine lining grows in other places than your uterus. An ectopic pregnancy can result in one tube being blocked, but the other one would still be there.

The problem with blocked fallopian tubes is that they rarely have symptoms (unless you have symptoms of endometriosis). It's a hidden problem that can jeopardize your fertility.

Regular cycles are a good sign that you're ovulating, but you can get better information by using the Fertility Awareness Method. Look for a good website and/or book - it works for both contraception and trying to conceive. It involves checking your cervical fluid and, most importantly to tell if you're ovulating, taking your temperature daily.

If you try FAM and it looks like you're ovulating and you've timed intercourse right for a few cycles, then it might be time to talk to your doctor about checking for blocked tubes or other problems.

Good luck with your baby hopes!

MrsWinslow

What causes blocked fallopian tubes? How would you know if you had them? My doctor thinks that PCOS is the reason I'm not getting pregnant, but I feel like I do have regular enough cycles that I should be able to conceive. That makes me wonder if there's some other reason I'm not getting pregnant, like blocked tubes. PCOS doesn't cause blocked tubes, does it?

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    • A diagram of the female reproductive system, including the fallopian tubes.
      By: Alila
      A diagram of the female reproductive system, including the fallopian tubes.
    • Massaging and manipulating the tissue in the abdominal area may help to unblock fallopian tubes.
      By: Kesu
      Massaging and manipulating the tissue in the abdominal area may help to unblock fallopian tubes.
    • Some herbal supplements can stimulate circulation in the fallopian tubes, including frankincense, ginger, and ginseng.
      By: Melpomene
      Some herbal supplements can stimulate circulation in the fallopian tubes, including frankincense, ginger, and ginseng.
    • Surgery is one option many women choose to unblock their fallopian tubes.
      By: Alex Tihonov
      Surgery is one option many women choose to unblock their fallopian tubes.
    • Smoking should be avoided to help keep fallopian tubes clear.
      By: gcpics
      Smoking should be avoided to help keep fallopian tubes clear.
    • Doctors may use fallopian tube tests to determine effective treatments for blockages and cancer.
      By: michaeljung
      Doctors may use fallopian tube tests to determine effective treatments for blockages and cancer.