Of the major reproductive ills plaguing Indian women,blockage of fallopian tubes is quite common. Around 18 million Indian women are believed to be suffering from tubal blockages,which experts say,factor for 2025 per cent cases of infertility,termed as tubal factor infertility. Fallopian tubes are two very fine tubes leading from the ovaries to the uterus. They are not merely pathways for embryo transfer,but also serve physiological roles such as sperm passage,fertilisation,embryo storage,nourishment and transport. However,when they get blocked or damaged,these functions are impaired. Dr Kaustubh Kulkarni,Clinical Director and Co-founder of Siddhi Life Assisted Reproduction Centre,says,Tubal factor is responsible for 1517 per cent of sub-fertility in the western countries but its prevalence is higher in India due to higher incidence of unrecognised pelvic inflammatory diseases (PID) and tuberculosis. Patients with tubal damage experience difficulty in conceiving,many of them even suffer infertility. Assisted reproductive option such as in-vitro fertilisation is then the sought-after solution for getting pregnant. Sexually communicable diseases,genital tuberculosis,endometritis,ectopic pregnancy,previously conducted abdominal and pelvic surgeries (physical injury to tubes),abortions and pre-existing infections are some of the conditions that can lead to blocked tubes. According to Centre for Disease Control,nearly 23 per cent of Indian women suffer from sexually transmitted Chlamydia infections. Women with pelvic inflammation and infections were shown to be at risk 610 times higher for ectopic pregnancy. If undetected,it can cause irreversible damage due to fallopian tube rupture and internal bleeding,rendering the woman infertile for life. Similarly any surgery that involves the fallopian tubes,ovaries,uterus or any bowel surgery can cause adhesions to the tubes,ultimately blocking the passage and rendering them infertile. These tubes are generally not salvageable. Diagnosis of tubal block involves conducting a patient history check,hysterosalpingogram (wherein an X-ray is conducted after injecting a dye in the tubes) and laparascopy. Prompt testing can help detect infections that are hidden and insidious,says Kulkarni.
