The word “Hydro” means water while “salpinx” refers to the fallopian tube.
Hydrosalpinx is the name for a condition in which a woman’s fallopian tube becomes blocked with fluid.
The fallopian tubes are part of the female reproductive system through which the eggs travel from the ovaries to the womb. This means that the tubes are important for reproduction and fertility.
Causes and risk factors
There are several different reasons why hydrosalpinx may occur. The most common causes include:
- sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- endometriosis
- pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- ruptured appendicitis
- abdominal surgery
When there’s an injury in any area of the body, inflammation occurs and this is part of the healing process. All these causes listed above can lead to inflammation and trigger formation of scar tissue and lead to hydrosalpinx.
In a fallopian tube, the inflammation and healing can cause loss of the fimbria (finger-like projections at the end of the fallopian tube) and the eventual closure of the tube.
Hydrosalpinx and infertility
During conception, the egg travels from an ovary along the fallopian tube to the uterus. Hydrosalpinx causes the fallopian tube to become blocked with fluid, so the egg cannot pass down the tube to reach the womb and so implantation does not occur.
Also, the fimbria that help to draw the egg from the ovary into the tubes can become stuck together.
If only one fallopian tube is blocked, it is still possible to conceive without intervention, as eggs from the other ovary will still be able to make it to the uterus.
Another problem is that there is also a chance that the fluid buildup could leak into the uterus and interfere with the embryo implanting itself properly.
Treatment and management
The most common treatment for a woman with hydrosalpinx is to have surgery to remove the affected tube. This type of surgery is known as salpingectomy and it can be done using keyhole surgery.
Surgery may also be offered to remove scar tissue or other adhesions that could be affecting fertility.
If endometriosis is found to be the cause, doctors can also remove the endometrial growths.
In instances where PID is the cause, a doctor may prescribe a course of antibiotics to treat any remaining infections. However the antibiotics can not reverse the damage already done.
Outlook
It is possible for a woman to get pregnant with hydrosalpinx. However, chances of a successful pregnancy depend on the cause and severity of the blockage, and whether the woman has undergone any treatment.
Conception may occur without any treatment, but chances are lower and the risks of complications, such as early pregnancy loss and ectopic pregnancy are more significant.
Many women who have hydrosalpinx choose to use in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment when trying to conceive.
It is usually best to have surgery to correct hydrosalpinx before starting IVF proceedings as this can help improve the chances of success.
Hydrosaplinx May make conception a little more difficult but not impossible. A doctor will be able to talk through the different treatment options and help a woman decide what option is best for her.
