Know About Hydrosalpinx

Most women with the condition hydrosalpinx have no symptoms, with the inability to have children being the only sign that something is wrong. However, some women may also experience pelvic pain and have abnormal vaginal discharge.

Hydrosalpinx may have the following symptoms:

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection of the reproductive organs often caused by untreated sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. It is also caused by bacteria that find their way into the reproductive tract.

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Hydrosalpinx is caused by a chronic infection in the fallopian tube. This infection may be due to a sexually transmitted disease, appendicitis, or any other cause that affects the reproductive system or nearby organs.

Hydrosalpinx may also be caused by adhesions or endometriosis. These conditions can cause irritation to the fallopian tubes.

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Blocked fallopian tubes are usually tested for during fertility checkups.

A hysterosalpingogram, or HSG, is a special type of X-ray that shows blockage in the fallopian tubes. The tube usually appears dilated, which means it is swollen with fluid.

To determine whether blockage in the fallopian tube is due to hydrosalpinx, sonohysterosalpingography can be performed. This procedure involves flowing saline fluid through the cervix and into the uterus. Then, transvaginal ultrasound is used to view the reproductive organs.

Ultrasound is also performed to test for hydrosalpinx, but it is not always possible to see the fluid-filled fallopian tubes this way.

Laparoscopy may also be used to test for hydrosalpinx. Diagnostic laparoscopy can determine whether additional factors, such as endometriosis, are causing fertility problems.

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To get pregnant, the sperm must meet the egg. Around the 14th day of a woman's menstrual cycle, the egg is released from the ovary and begins its journey to the sperm in the uterus. In such a situation, if any tube gets blocked, the egg cannot travel and pregnancy cannot occur.

If the fallopian tube is blocked due to a hydrosalpinx condition, pregnancy is technically possible. However, there may be risks and complications. is not without possibility.

For example, a damaged fallopian tube during pregnancy may cause fluid to leak into the uterus. There is no exact reason why fluid builds up, but recent research suggests that hydrosalpinx can affect blood flow to the uterus and ovaries and pregnancy is also affected.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a treatment where an egg is fertilized by sperm outside the body. The fertilized egg is implanted into the woman's uterus to achieve pregnancy. IVF eliminates the role of the fallopian tube in allowing sperm to meet the egg. However this procedure is currently considered the best option for women who have experienced hydrosalpinx. Fluid from the affected tube may leak into the uterus and increase the risk of miscarriage. Doctors usually suggest removing the affected tube or separating it from the uterus before attempting IVF.

If one or more fallopian tubes are affected by hydrosalpinx, there may be several treatment options such as:

• Surgery to remove the affected tube

The surgery to remove the affected fallopian tube is called laparoscopic salpingectomy. This procedure is often a keyhole surgery, although it can also be performed conventionally through the abdomen.

• In salpingectomy, the entire fallopian tube is removed. Some doctors avoid this treatment because it may affect the blood supply to the ovaries. Without a good blood supply, the ovaries can deform and cause problems with IVF.
• Sclerotherapy treatment is done with ultrasound and is as effective as surgery. In this, the fluid is first taken out from the tube. To do this, a solution is injected into the tube which causes swelling in the fallopian tube and the swelling of the tube causes the excess fluid to flow out.

This treatment takes longer to heal than surgery, and there is a chance that hydrosalpinx may reoccur with sclerotherapy.

• repairing blocked fallopian tubes

This procedure is called laparoscopic salpingostomy. Through a small incision the affected fallopian tube is opened to drain the fluid. The tube is then fixed with a clip to prevent fluid from leaking into the uterus.

After treatment, you may want to talk to your doctor about IVF to get pregnant. IVF takes about two weeks to complete each cycle. The first step is to take injectable hormones and medications to mature the eggs, prevent premature ovulation, and prepare the uterine lining. A very thin needle is used to remove the eggs which are seen and examined through ultrasound. The eggs are then fertilized using sperm to form embryos. In the final stage, the fertilized embryo is transferred into the uterus using a catheter. If all goes well, positive results can be seen by testing the blood 6-10 days after the transfer.

IVF success rates can be as high as 38-40 percent after hydrosalpinx is treated with laparoscopic salpingectomy or sclerotherapy.

The ability to get pregnant with hydrosalpinx will vary depending on the severity of the problem and treatment options. Without treatment, pregnancy is possible, but complications such as miscarriage are more likely. With treatment, especially IVF, the chance of success is very high.

For adopting IVF, both salpingectomy and sclerotherapy have similar success rates. Information about the specific case can help guide the doctor about treatment options.