05/01/2023
Hydrosalpinx
What is hydrosalpinx?
Hydrosalpinx is a condition where fluid accumulates in one or both fallopian tubes, creating a blockage. Your fallopian tubes extend from your uterus to your ovaries. Each month, as part of your menstrual cycle, your ovaries produce an egg that moves through your fallopian tubes. Healthy fallopian tubes provide an open passageway for an egg and a s***m to unite (fertilization). The fertilized egg, or embryo, travels the same open passageway to your uterus. From there, an embryo can implant in your uterine wall and develop into a fetus.
With a hydrosalpinx, fluid build-up blocks this passageway. A blocked fallopian tube may prevent s***m from reaching your egg. If fertilization does occur, the blockage in your fallopian tube can prevent the embryo from reaching your uterus.
How common is hydrosalpinx?
Twenty to 30% of infertility cases involve problems related to the fallopian tubes (tubal factor infertility). Hydrosalpinx is present in 10% to 20% of these cases.
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How does hydrosalpinx affect my body?
An untreated hydrosalpinx can make it difficult to become pregnant, and it can increase your risk of miscarriage and pregnancy complications. In addition to making it difficult to get pregnant through in*******se, a hydrosalpinx can:
Increase your risk of an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy: An embryo that’s unable to reach your uterus because of a blockage may implant in your fallopian tubes, resulting in an ectopic pregnancy. These pregnancies aren’t viable and can be life-threatening without treatment.
Decrease your chances of becoming pregnant through in vitro fertilization (IVF): IVF can help you get pregnant without your fallopian tubes. With IVF, your provider collects your eggs and fertilizes them outside your body using s***m from your partner or a donor. Then, your provider transfers the embryo into your uterus, where it can develop. A hydrosalpinx can cause problems once the embryo implants into your uterine wall. Research suggests that the fluid from a hydrosalpinx can flow backwards into your uterus, creating an unhealthy environment for a developing embryo.
Treating a hydrosalpinx increases your chances of a healthy pregnancy, even if you opt for IVF.
SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES
What are the signs and symptoms of a hydrosalpinx?
A hydrosalpinx rarely causes symptoms. You may not realize your tubes are blocked until your provider investigates what’s making it difficult for you to become pregnant.
When symptoms are present, they include:
Pelvic pain that may worsen during or immediately following your period.
Vaginal discharge that’s discolored and/or sticky.
What causes a hydrosalpinx?
An untreated infection is the most common cause of a hydrosalpinx. Harmful bacteria can damage your fallopian tubes and cause them to become inflamed. This inflammation often happens at the part of your fallopian tube near your ovaries, or your fimbriae. Your fimbriae are finger-like extensions that sweep an egg from your ovaries into your fallopian tubes.
As part of the healing process, your fimbriae may fuse together, sealing your fallopian tubes. Fluid gets trapped inside your tubes, causing them to swell.
Hydrosalpinx causes include:
Previous untreated s*xually transmitted infections (STIs), like chlamydia and gonorrhea.
Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), oftentimes resulting from untreated STIs.
Scar tissue left over from pelvic surgery, especially surgery on your fallopian tubes.
Tissue build-up from endometriosis.
Some tumors.
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTS
What tests will be done to diagnose a blocked fallopian tube?
Tests to check your fallopian tubes for a blockage include:
Ultrasound: Your fallopian tubes aren’t usually visible on an ultrasound. But if they’re swollen because of fluid build-up, they’ll appear larger than usual. Sometimes, they’ll be shaped like sausage. Your provider can order additional tests to confirm that what’s causing the change is a hydrosalpinx.
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG): An HSG is an X-ray dye test to check for blockages in your fallopian tubes. It’s the most common test used to diagnose hydrosalpinx. Your provider will insert a dye med
