IVF for Tubal Disease

A common cause of infertility is poorly to non-functioning fallopian tubes. Tubal damage is most often the result of prior pelvic infection (pelvic inflammatory disease or "PID") or the natural disease process known as endometriosis. The diagnosis of tubal disease is generally made through an x-ray test known as a hysterosalpingogram (or HSG). Alternatively, it can be diagnosed through laparoscopic surgery.

Tubes can become either swollen with weakened walls or blocked. In either case, the ability of the fallopian tube(s) to provide a conduit and environment allowing for sperm and egg to come together and fertilize is compromised. In addition, ectopic pregnancy (one that occurs outside the uterus) can be more common.

When infertility is caused by severe tubal disease, damaged or blocked tubes, or when previous attempts at surgical correction have failed, you may consider in vitro fertilization (IVF) as a viable alternative.

IVF allows the fallopian tubes to be bypassed in the process, taking the eggs directly from the ovaries and then, after fertilization, placing them back into the uterus. It is also important to note that just because a tube is open does not necessarily mean it is functional.