Your fallopian tubes are two minute tubes that connect the ovaries to the uterus, and are sometimes called uterine tubes, salpinges or oviducts. They're about 7 to 14 centimeters, and start at the outer end of the uterus and stretch out to form a special tissue called the fimbria. The function of the fimbria is to transport the egg from the ovary to the fallopian tubes.



The fallopian tubes consist of strong muscle tissue, covered by ciliated cells. Ciliated cells are cells that have microscopic hair-like projections that push objects towards the uterus. The ciliated cells are protected with a thin mucus to keep the fallopian tubes soft and pliable, and to sustain optimal survival conditions for sperm and eggs.

Fallopian tubes can become blocked because of inflammation, infections, liquids, or scarring and adhesions.

There is a condition that affects the fallopian tubes called Salpingitis. Salpingitis is occurs when an infectious agent causes the tubes to swell and inflame. Most commonly, the reason why the tubes are affected is PID (Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. Salpingitis can result in the walls of the fallopian tubes sticking together, which causes blocked fallopian tubes. Salpingitis can cause painful ovulation, painful menstruation, pain during sexual intercourse, and a change in the color or smell of vaginal discharge.

The next reason behind fallopian tube blockage is hydrosalpinx. A hydrosalpinx takes place when the fluid accumulates in the fallopian tubes. This fluid is secreted by the fallopian tubes as lubricant. In a healthy woman, this lubricant runs from the fimbria- the part of the fallopian tubes nearest to the ovaries, in the direction of the uterus. The primary reason women develop a hydrosalpinx is pelvic inflammatory disease, alternatively it is also the result of foreign bacteria overgrowth, endometriosis, or even scars left from surgery. For years a hydrosalpinx can go undetected because it often does not cause any symptoms. In some cases you might feel a dull pelvic pain, but most of the time it is undetected because of the lack of symptoms.

Conditions similar to a hydrosalpinx include: Pyosalpinx - this is when a fallopian tube is filled with pus and starts to expand from within, and Hematosalpinx - This the state of the fallopian tube when it is filled with blood and causes the tubes to become distended.

Another primary reason for fallopian tube blockages is an adhesion. Adhesions occur when unconnected bodily tissues are abnormally connected by bands of fibrous tissue, as a result of injury, surgery, endometriosis or scarring after inflammation. When adhesions grow in or around the fallopian tubes, they can result in the fallopian tubes becoming twisted, or the lining of the fallopian tubes becoming stuck together, or even sticking the fallopian tubes to unrelated body parts such as the intestine. Adhesions can result in unpleasant symptoms if the adhesion results in organs being pulled out of position or being twisted out of shape. In the wrong place, adhesions can block fallopian tubes, and block the supply of blood, nutrients and fluids to the fallopian tubes, which can cause the fallopian tubes to atrophy, or become infected and require amputation.

Fallopian tube blockage is one of the most common causes of female infertility. Thankfully, blocked fallopian tubes can be opened up, because of medical technology. While medicine and surgery work for numerous women, there are risks relating to these procedures. The world of alternative medicine provides a safe, healthy alternative, which often works better than the traditional route.