Women and hydrosalpinx
Hydrosalpinx is a type of fallopian tube blockage, for those of us that don’t know what fallopian tube is; it’s a female structure that transports the ova from the ovary to the uterus every month. In the presence of sperm and fertilization, the uterine tube transports the fertilized egg to the uterus for implantation.
Hydrosalpinx is as a result of long term infection of the fallopian tubes. This infection can be as result of sexually transmitted disease, ruptured appendix, or any other cause of infection that impacts the reproductive system or nearby organs. Hydrosalpinx can also be caused if scar tissue irritates the fallopian tube.
In a healthy reproductive system, the fallopian tube serves as both the pathway for an ovulated egg to reach the uterus. After an egg is released from the ovary, finger-like projections from the fallopian tube draws the egg in. If sex takes place during ovulation, the egg will meet the sperm inside the tube. Fertilization of the egg will occur inside the tube and not inside the uterus as some person’s think. The fertilized egg, or embryo, will make its way down the tube, into the uterus, and implant itself into the uterine wall. If this pathway is blocked, as a result of hydrosalpinx, infertility may occur.
Depending on the cause of hydrosalpinx, additional adhesions around the fallopian tube and ovary may occur. This can also interfere with ovulation and infertility.
According to facts, it is possible to conceive with just one fallopian tube, as may be the case if you have one hydrosalpinx tube and the other is healthy. However, the delicate environment of the uterus may be affected with a hydrosalpinx and this reduces pregnancy rates.
When patients go straight to IVF treatment, without surgically removing the infected fallopian tube, pregnancy and live birth rates are much lower than would be expected. This is why many fertility specialists suggest surgical removal of the hydrosalpinx before beginning IVF treatment. Another option is artificial blockage of the affected tube at the uterine end, so it is less likely to affect the uterine environment.
With hydrosalpinx, there is no symptoms aside infertitility. Unlike other diseases, hydrosalpinx is mostly diagnosed only after these women have tried to have children without success. However some women might experience pelvic pain. Rarely, there may be some unusual vaginal discharge.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a risk factor for hydrosalpinx. The most common treatment for hydrosalpinx is surgery. Ladies out there let’s check ourselves regularly to avoid medical issues like hydrosalpinx.