Diagnosing and Treating Tubal Factor Infertility

Diagnosis

To begin the evaluation of the fallopian tubes and uterus, the infertility specialist orders a hysterosalpingogram (HSG). In this test, dye is inserted into the uterus and x-rays are taken as it flows back through the tubes. Blockages are seen as concentrations of dye.

Treatment

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is usually recommended as a first line treatment when moderate to severe tubal damage is present. However the fertility specialist may recommend surgery if the tubal blockage is not severe. This depends on a number of patient specific variables that include age, where, and how, the tubes were "cut" or damaged, other underlying causes of infertility, etc. Data clearly demonstrates that IVF produces higher per cycle success rates than tubal reconstruction does.

A patient with tubal sterilization may opt for a tubal reversal if she is young and has no other factors contributing to her infertility. The advantage to tubal reversal, in appropriately screened cases, is that even though the per cycle success rates are lower than IVF, numerous natural intercourse cycles can be attempted.