Tubal Factor Infertility Treatment Dubai

Tubal Infertility

If the egg is unable to travel through the tubes, it is known as tubal infertility and it can be due to a blocked or damaged fallopian tube. This can disrupt the process of conception and even result in ectopic pregnancy. Out of all cases of infertility, around 20-25% can be attributed to tubal factor infertility.

There can be multiple reasons which cause the blockage or impede it:

• Infection – It is the most common cause of tubal infertility. If a female has suffered from Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) like gonorrhoea, chlamydia etc, there is a high risk of pelvic infection.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease – PID when left untreated can cause scar tissue to develop within and around the uterus and ovaries. This may result in ectopic pregnancy, chronic pelvic pain, abscess formation and even infertility.
• Endometriosis – also leads to build-up of scar tissues causing similar consequences as above.
• Previous surgeries – If scar tissues have formed because of previous surgeries, they also create a blockage of the tubes.

Diagnosis

When a couple is unable to conceive naturally after adequate attempts, a few standard tests involving analysis of semen, ovarian reserve, AMH and physical examination are conducted to determine the cause of infertility. If no abnormality is found, then the tubal factor is taken into consideration.

The diagnosis of tubal factor infertility is done by a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) which is ordered by an infertility specialist. To evaluate the uterus and fallopian tubes, a dye is injected into the uterine cavity through the cervix and as it flows into tubes, x-rays are taken. The concertation of dye provides the location of blockages. Sometimes, even if the test demonstrates that fallopian tubes are open, it may not necessarily mean that there is normal tubal function. The tubes may be severely damaged or scarred. Such tubes will not be able to allow normal activities like egg pickup, fertilization and embryo transfer. Obstruction of any one of these activities will hinder conception.

Tubal damage can be diagnosed by Laparoscopy. Also, tubal catheterization though used rarely, can be conducted to assess the condition of the mucosal lining that is present inside the tubes.

Prevention

Safe sexual practices are an effective way to prevent infection and damage. Women suffering from sexually transmitted infections are often asymptomatic. Thus, sexually active women should get themselves screened for STIs regularly for early diagnosis and further damage prevention. The use of condoms also prevents infection transmission.

Treatment

When the tubal damage is of moderate to severe degree, usually In-vitro fertilization (IVF) is recommended as the initial treatment because IVF bypasses the function role of fallopian tubes in the conception process. The embryo is created in a laboratory by in vitro fertilization of egg and sperm and directly transferred into the uterus for implantation. Women with tubal factor infertility aged 39 years or less have good success rates with IVF as they most likely do not have additional infertility problems.

At times, surgery is also suggested by the fertility specialists. It is decided on a case-to-case basis depending on variables like age, the location of damage, other causes of infertility etc. As per research data, IVF has higher success rates per cycle than tubal reconstruction. Also, operation-related discomfort, medical insurance issues, time off work for recovery from the procedure and other economic considerations might rule against opting for surgery.