What Is a Hydrosalpinx and Can It Affect My Fertility?

What is a hydrosalpinx?
A hydrosalpinx refers to a dilated fallopian tube. Fallopian tubes are the main pathway that eggs travel through from the ovary down to the uterus to meet with sperm to cause a pregnancy. When fallopian tubes are damaged, they can become scarred at the distal ends (end near the ovary) and become blocked. In this situation, the normal fluid secretions made by the tube are not able to leave the tube and end up collecting in the tube creating a dilated, almost sausage-like structure, called a hydrosalpinx.

How would I get a hydrosalpinx?
Situations that are specifically linked to hydrosalpinx formation or issues that occur in the pelvis can create scarring. Commonly we see this in patients that have a history of STDs or pelvic inflammatory disease. We also tend to see scarring and tubal issues in patients with endometriosis. Finally, patients that have had significant pelvic surgeries in the past may also have scarring on their fallopian tubes causing blockages.

How does a hydrosalpinx affect my fertility?
If the fallopian tube is blocked on the end, the egg is not able to pass through the tube to meet with the sperm. Additionally, the fluid in the fallopian tube can leak back into the uterus and disturb pregnancies caused either from the other fallopian tube if normal or from fertility treatments such as embryo transfers. When a woman conceives either naturally via a normal fallopian tube or with an embryo transfer, the presence of a hydrosalpinx will diminish success rates by about 50%.

How can a hydrosalpinx be treated?
Unfortunately, there is no real way to repair a true hydrosalpinx. Because the presence of a hydrosalpinx can decrease pregnancy rates by over 50%, it is almost always recommended to remove the fallopian tube if a hydrosalpinx is present. This would still allow a woman to get pregnant through another normal fallopian tube or with fertility treatment such as IVF. If you are having issues and would like to be seen by one of our Reproductive Endocrinologists, call 843-883-5800 or make an appointment online by clicking here.