What is Hydrosalpinx?
A hydrosalpinx is a fallopian tube that becomes blocked and filled with fluid.
Blocked fallopian tubes contribute to tubal factor infertility by preventing the egg from traveling from the ovary to the fallopian tube for fertilization. This blockage can also prevent pregnancy by preventing a fertilized egg from traveling the uterus, raising the risk of a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy.
What are the causes of hydrosalpinx?
Hydrosalpinx occurs when the fallopian tube has been damaged or there is a blockage at the end of the fallopian tube. The blockage or damage can cause fluid to build up and the fallopian tube to swell. The condition may occur in one or both fallopian tubes.
Hydrosalpinges can result from:
- Scarring caused by previous surgery in the pelvic area (such as treatment for appendicitis, fibroids, or cancer)
- Adhesions/scar tissue sticking your pelvic organs together.
- Endometriosis
- Tumors
- Pelvic infections, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
What are the symptoms of hydrosalpinges?
In many cases, hydrosalpinx produces no symptoms. However, when symptoms are present, the chief complaint is pelvic pain. Some women are unaware of their condition until they seek help for fertility problems. Common symptoms include:
- Infertility
- Constant aching pain in the lower abdomen
- Increased pain during and after a period
- Unusual vaginal discharge
Pelvic pain and changes in vaginal discharge can be symptoms of many different gynecological diseases or conditions. So, if you’re experiencing pain or notice a change in the smell, color, or consistency of your vaginal discharge, contact our office for a consultation with Dr. Aliabadi.
How does Dr. Aliabadi diagnose hydrosalpinx?
Hydrosalpinx can cause infertility and reduce the effectiveness of fertility treatments. Many patients only discover their hydrosalpinx when struggling to conceive. If Dr. Aliabadi suspects hydrosalpinx, there are multiple tests she might perform.
Hysterosalpingogram
A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is a special X-ray dye test. We add a special liquid to the uterus and use X-ray imaging to monitor its movement. If your fallopian tubes are normal, the image will show the liquid flowing out of each tube and 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.
What is the surgical treatment of hydrosalpinx?
With a salpingostomy, Dr. Aliabadi makes a small incision in the blocked end of the fluid-filled fallopian tube, allowing it to drain. She might also use a needle to drain the blocked tube.
The only guaranteed way to treat hydrosalpinx and ensure it doesn’t reoccur is salpingectomy — complete removal of the fallopian tube. Dr. Aliabadi performs this surgery laparoscopically, allowing patients quick relief with minimal pain, scarring, and downtime.
Can you get pregnant with hydrosalpinx?
Technically speaking, it is possible to conceive with just one open tube, as may be the case if you have one hydrosalpinx tube and the other is healthy. However, the delicate environment of the uterus may be affected by a hydrosalpinx, reducing pregnancy rates.
The irritation and/or adhesions associated with the hydrosalpinx seem to reduce the possibility of conception occurring via the healthy tube. It’s also possible that the fluid buildup inside the affected tube may leak into the uterus, impacting embryo implantation.
When patients go straight to IVF treatment, without surgically removing the infected fallopian tube, pregnancy and live birth success rates are much lower than in women with healthy fallopian tubes. This is why many fertility specialists suggest surgical removal of the hydrosalpinx before beginning IVF treatment.
Another option is artificial blockage of the affected tube at the uterine end. This prevents the toxic hydrosalpinx fluid from draining into the uterus and negatively impacting embryo implantation and development.
Getting pregnant naturally with blockages in one or both fallopian tubes can be very difficult. If you are trying to get pregnant, Dr. Aliabadi and her team can help discuss your fertility treatment options.
Have questions about your health? Talk to Dr. Aliabadi
Dr. Aliabadi and her compassionate team are experts in women’s health care. When you’re treated by Dr. Aliabadi, you’re guaranteed to feel safe, heard, and well cared for.
We invite you to establish care with Dr. Aliabadi. Please make an appointment online or call us at (844) 863-6700.
The practice of Dr. Thais Aliabadi and the Outpatient Hysterectomy Center is conveniently located for patients throughout Southern California and the Los Angeles area. We are near Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, and Downtown Los Angeles.
Sources
Strandell, A., Lindhard, A., Waldenström, U., Thorburn, J., Janson, P., & Hamberger, L. (1999). Hydrosalpinx and IVF outcome: a prospective, randomized multicentre trial in Scandinavia on salpingectomy prior to IVF *. Human Reproduction, 14(11), 2762–2769. https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/14.11.2762
Zhang WX, Jiang H, Wang XM, Wang L. Pregnancy and perinatal outcomes of interventional ultrasound sclerotherapy with 98% ethanol on women with hydrosalpinx before in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2014;210(3):250.e1-5. doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2013.11.024
If you believe you are experiencing symptoms of, or suffering from Hydrosalpinx, or have questions about it, please see your doctor.
We also invite you to establish care with Dr. Aliabadi. Please click here to make an appointment or call us at (844) 863- 6700.
Hydrosalpinx FAQs
How do sexually transmitted diseases contribute to hydrosalpinx?
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), particularly chlamydia and gonorrhea, can lead to hydrosalpinx by causing infections in the fallopian tubes. These infections often result in inflammation, which can damage and scar the fallopian tubes. This scarring can block the tubes, preventing proper drainage of fluid that builds up, leading to hydrosalpinx.
Supported by her warm professional team, Dr. Aliabadi treats women through all phases of life and cherishes the special one-on-one relationship between patient and doctor.