Infertility in women has been a long drawn topic from ages. Rather than avoiding the topic and just referring it to as a dark spot by the society it is high time to get into the deep cause of infertility.
Fallopian Tubes usually known as oviducts or uterine tubes serves the function of transporting eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. These tubes play a very vital role in woman fertility and in the process of a natural pregnancy.
Hydrosalpinx, is the symptom where fallopian tubes are filled with fluid causing blockage which is a critical case causing failure in pregnancy.
The Symptoms of Hydrosalpnix:
· Pain in the abdominal region or pelvic region;
· An unusual amount of vaginal discharge
Though there have been cases where the Female counterpart has only been aware of this after failed pregnancy checkup.
The Causes of Hydrosalpnix:
The common factors of Hydrosalpnix may be due to various reasons. Few such conditions affecting the health maybe:
STIs (Sexually Transmitted Disease) - Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted infection caused due to previous injuries in pelvic regions can cause hydrosalpnix. Endometriosis- This is a very painful disorder, in which the tissues which is creates a line inside the uterus known as endometrium grows outside the uterus. Endometriosis involves generally ovaries, fallopian tubes and tissues lining the pelvis region.· PID (Pelvic inflammatory disease) – In this case the female
reproductive organs are affected by the sexual transmitted bacteria which
spreads from vagina to the uterus, fallopian tubes or ovaries.
The signs and symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease can be subtle or mild. Some women don't experience any signs or symptoms.
Ruptured Appendicitis – The surgery procedures may lead to internal infections which cause lower abdominal pain causing hydrosalpinx. Abdominal surgery – Major pelvic region surgery or abdominal surgeries can lead to fluid retention in the fallopian ducts causing hydrosalpinx as a symptom of infection caused.
Diagnosis of Hydrosalpinx
If you’re having trouble getting pregnant, or experiencing any unusual symptoms, make an appointment with your gynecologist. If your doctor suspects you may have hydrosalpinx in one or both fallopian tubes, a number of tests may be performed.
· Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
This imaging technique involves introducing liquid into your uterus and then using x-ray imaging to detect where the liquid is able to flow. If your fallopian tubes are normal, the image will show the liquid flowing out of each tube, draining into the pelvic cavity. However, if the liquid is not flowing freely through one or both tubes, it may indicate a blockage.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound may be able to detect a swollen fallopian tube. Generally, if the swelling is large enough to be detected by ultrasound, the hydrosalpinx is severe.
· Laparoscopy
A laparoscopy is a minimally invasive surgical intervention technique in which the doctor makes a small incision in the abdomen and inserts a narrow, flexible, instrument called a laparoscope. The end of the laparoscope is equipped with a lighted camera to allow the doctor to view the inside of your pelvic cavity. Your doctor will introduce a dye into your uterus through your cervix, and use the laparoscope to see if the dye flows out of the fallopian tube. If it does not, that may be an indication of a hydrosalpinx.
A woman suffering from hydrosalpinx, can she have a baby?
If the fallopian tubes are completely blocked, an egg cannot travel through them to the womb. That’s when the time comes a woman needs to visit a fertility specialist doctor to take the medical steps and plan for pregnancy. The specialized doctor may occasionally be able to open the tubes with surgery.
IVF In Vitro Fertilization is one such treatment where this procedure is carried out by doctors to avoid the process of fallopian tubes transferring the eggs to the uterus. The egg is (fertilized) with sperm in the laboratory. The doctor places the fertilized eggs (embryos) into womb.
