Tubal Blockage Corrected by Tubal Surgery
December 13th, 2008Tubal blockage or tubal occlusion (the medical term) is the reason that tubal ligation prevents pregnancy. The blockage of the fallopian tube prevents joining of the sperm and egg and prevents eggs from being able to reach the uterine cavity. In the case of tubal sterilization, tubal blockage is intentional. Tubal blockage may also occur due to disease conditions and result in involuntary infertility. Tubal blockage, whether intentional or from disease, can be corrected with reconstructive tubal surgery.
Facts about Tubal Blockage
Tubal blockage affects millions of women in the US and hundreds of millions worldwide. More than 10 million women in the US, and more than 100 million worldwide, have had a tubal sterilization. There are approximately 6 million infertile couples in the US. It is estimated that 10-20% (600,000 to 1.2 million) cases of infertility may be due to tubal disease. In the majority of cases, tubal occlusion due to disease is caused by pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection of the fallopian tubes (salpingitis) and sometimes the ovaries and pelvic cavity. PID is “silent”, unrecognized, or misdiagnosed in many and perhaps in the majority of cases.
