Tubal Factor Infertility

Tubal factor infertility comes from several different causes. The simplest form is patients who have had a prior tubal ligation either at delivery or after delivery. Tubal factor infertility is best treated by bypassing the fallopian tubes with in vitro fertilization (IVF).

The second cause of tubal factor infertility is through exposure to sexually transmitted diseases which can result in scarring of the fallopian tubes and blockage. A blockage at the end of the fallopian tube can result in a hydrosalpinx which can be seen on the hysterosalpingogram illustrated above. With a hydrosalpinx in place, pregnancy rates can be decreased by up to 50%. Therefore, this hydrosalpinx typically needs to be removed prior to infertility treatment with the recommended infertility treatment being IVF.