Damaged Tubes

• A fallopian tube can sustain damage and be blocked by a number of factors including pelvic inflammatory disease (PID); surgical procedures that have been done on the lower abdomen or pelvis; a ruptured appendix; use of an IUD, which is an intrauterine device and sometimes, but rarely, results in pelvic infection; or by an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy, wherein the pregnancy actually occurs in the fallopian tube. This can cause the tube to rupture and can be a life-threatening situation. It can also cause infertility. PID can be the result of a sexually transmitted disease, according to Fertilityauthority.com (see References). PID can result in the buildup of scar tissue on the walls of the fallopian tubes.
  
  

Other Causes

• Sometimes a blocked or damaged fallopian tube is the result of uterine fibroids, a birth defect, endometriosis or bands of scar tissue that connect structures in the uterus or pelvis that are not normally connected. This results in adhesions.
  
  

Treatment

• Treatment may consist of dislodging and removal of the abnormal tissue via hysteroscopy or laparoscopy. Laparoscopic techniques afford physicians the opportunity to perform delicate and precise operations on the fallopian tubes. According to Merck.com, surgery can be used to repair a damaged fallopian tube following an infection or ectopic pregnancy, but the chances of experiencing another ectopic pregnancy are great. Sometimes in vitro fertilization is recommended to safeguard against a subsequent tubal pregnancy.
  
  

Hydrosalpinx

• Fallopian tubes can be filled with a fluid called hydrosalpinx in addition to being blocked or completely separate from that condition. If that is the case, laparoscopic surgery can be used to dilate the tube or create a new tube opening and remove adhesions. The tube can be blocked close to the uterus or close to the ovary. Surgery is more successful when the fallopian tube is narrowed or blocked closer to the ovary than the uterus. If your blockage is severe, or if you have a severe case of hydrosalpinx, some doctors recommend the removal of your tubes, which is called salpingectomy. This is done in the hopes of improving a woman's chances of conceiving via in vitro fertilization.
  
  

ART

• According to the Mayo Clinic (see References), assisted reproductive technology (ART) can help women who have damaged and/or completely dysfunctional fallopian tubes or other reproductive disorders to conceive. ART includes in vitro fertilization, where a woman's mature eggs are retrieved and put into a laboratory dish with a man's sperm. The embryos are then implanted into the woman's uterus. IVF is frequently recommended when both fallopian tubes are blocked.
  
  

Alternative Treatments

• Unconventional or alternative approaches to repairing fallopian tubes include acupressure and fertility massage, herbals douches and supplements, yoga, body cleansing, relaxation techniques, improving your diet and herbal supplements.