Getting Pregnant With One Blocked Fallopian Tube

Q: One of my tube is not functioning and doctor told me that the other one can still function. Since then, I’ve not been pregnant. How true is this and what can I do?
– By Omolola Janet

Reply:

A single functioning ovary with fallopian tube is enough to get pregnant, though it may take more time.

Let me explain it to you in some detail. There is a set of one ovary and one fallopian tube on each side (left and right) in a female body. Ovaries produce eggs each month and push them into respective tubes. They do so turn by turn, that is, if left ovary ovulates this month, right ovary will ovulate the next month.

This egg travels into the fallopian tube towards the cavity of the uterus. If you have sexual intercourse during this phase of your month, sperm enters the vaginal canal. Sperm travels inside, through the vaginal canal, cervix, cavity of the uterus and reaches the fallopian tube where egg is waiting for it. The sperm knows exactly which tube to enter.

On reaching the egg, sperm fuses with it. Fallopian tube provides an ideal biochemical atmosphere for fertilization of the egg to take place. Fertilized egg now slowly moves down towards the cavity of the uterus and gets implanted there. This eggs slowly grows over 9 months to form the baby.

So a healthy fallopian tube is very important for fertilization of the egg. It not only serves as a passage for the egg to reach the uterus, but also provides the right chemical milieu for the egg and the sperm to fuse.

It’s important to know how one of your tubes got damaged. Usually it occurs after any pelvic infection (PID) or conditions like endometriosis. This information is essential just to ensure whether the other tube and the ovary of that side is alright.

Just get this assured. If you have a set of healthy ovary and fallopian duct, yes, you can get pregnant. This may take time, as you can understand, because an ovary ovulates on alternate months (if right ovary sheds egg this month, left will shed next month and so on).

In Vitro Fertilization

Sometimes, there are situations where there is no functioning fallopian tube. Here we completely bypass the role of fallopian tubes to attain pregnancy. This is done as follows- we take an egg from the female body and a sperm from male body. We put them into a test tube having an appropriate chemical pH. Fertilization takes place in the test tube. The fertilized egg is then implanted into the uterine cavity of the female. The implanted egg grows there into a fetus in a natural way. This procedure is called In vitro fertilization (IVF).

It is desirable to get pregnant before the age of 35, as the eggs are healthy till this age.

Take Care,

Buddy M.D.

Medical Advice (Q&As) on “Getting Pregnant With One Blocked Fallopian Tube

  1. Matome

    I need help my left tube is open I trying to conceive it possible to get pregnant with right tube only and how can I do get pregnant

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      It is possible to conceive this one healthy tube. However, this may take time. Stay relaxed and let your hormones work.

      Reply
    2. Berny

      I did a laparoscopy and hysteroscopy on 8of May the doctor said my left tube is somehow blocked but the right one is fine,I can i get pregnant with it PLS help me.

      Reply
      1. Buddy M.D. Post author

        It’s possible to get pregnant with one fallopian tube, if all other parameters are normal. If you are having regular menses, there’s no problem with your ovaries, and the uterus looks fine, you have good chances of getting pregnant.

        Reply
  2. aparna

    My name is aparna.mam my left fallopian is blocked and right side is opened. This month i ovulate in right side.bu ultra scan i came to know. Is there any chance of getting pregnant.i have missed my period and today is 5th day after my period is missed. Pls help with ur answer

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      You hove good chances of getting pregnant with a single tube.

      If you miss a period, wait for a week’s time. Then, a home pregnancy test may be done.

      Reply
  3. Lakshmi

    Hi,
    I am married for 2 years now and we have not tried for a baby till now.
    In 2016 September, we visited gynecologist as I had severe lower abdomen pain during my periods.
    Doctor performed a vaginal ultrasound scan and discovered that I have a complex endometriosis cyst in my left ovary and also my testosterone level was slightly elevated. Hence she prescribed Sprintec 28 contraceptive pills.

    In Jan 2017, we had a follow up and performed both blood test and ultrasound. The cyst has grown little bigger, my testosterone level is normal but the insulin level is above the range so she prescribed Metformin and now I am taking both Sprintec 28 and Metformin daily.
    Since the endometriosis cyst is increasing its size, doctor suggested for a laparoscopic surgery to remove it.
    I had laparoscopic surgery on April 7, 2017 and after the procedure, doctor told us that they had removed the cyst but when HSG test was performed, they found that my left fallopian tube seems to be blocked as dye didn’t flow through it as expected and my right fallopian tube worked well.
    Now doctor is suggesting to go for another laparoscopic surgery to remove the left fallopian tube (blocked) to prevent ectopic pregnancy.

    Question:
    1) Is it really required to perform another surgery before trying to conceive or can I still keep the left blocked fallopian tube and try for a baby naturally, since my right tube is healthy?

    2) I was on my third day of periods during HSG test, will that impact the results, do I have to perform another HSG test to confirm if my tube is blocked?

    3) Is there a way to unblock the tubes without removing it?

    4) Should I stop taking the contraceptive pills and try to conceive with one blocked fallopian tube?

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Unfortunately, there’s no way to open the blocked tube. It’s better to go for surgical removal of the tube to prevent ectopic.

      You may need to continue with metformin. The other pill may be stopped if your hormonal levels are working well.

      Reply
  4. Tassy maureen

    Have been having irregular heavy periods with too muvh pain,i did ultrasound ithe doctor said i had pocs and endometrial epylepsia,later i perfomed hsg which said that my left tube is blocke d.hv tried clomid with no results.plz can i still get pregnant with all these condtions. I need help please.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      You may get pregnant with a single fallopian tube also. There’s no problem.

      However, first you need to get yourself treated for the hormonal problems you are having. PCOS and endometrial problems need to be solved before conceiving.

      Reply
  5. Please tell me how much pregnancy chances for me please

    This is my HAG Report. Tell me please
    1.Minimal Hydrosalpinx on right side with partially patent left tube.
    2. Patent right fallopian tube with normal peritoneal spill on right side.
    3. Normal Uterush

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Check what you have written. You haven’t commented on the status of the left tube. Why?

      Reply
  6. Saad

    Hi my wife have left side block and the right side have 1.3cm polyp. Dr recommended IVF but I am think to first remove this polyp and after check if the pregnancy happen ok otherwise think about IVF. What you recommend me? My wife age now 32 y.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      It may be tried, as you plan. The success of the procedure would depend upon the exact location of the polyp.

      Reply
  7. chinky21

    2 years ago, I had an abortion using medical abortion the baby was 1 month. Until now, I can’t conceive. I’m afraid to go to the doctor huhuh. I know I did a bad thing.

    Reply
  8. Lakshmi

    I did D&C on june 2015 because of no heartbeat for baby [naturally I got pregnant]. After that, no reaction in pregnancy so I consult with doctor and I did HSG scan and result is my right Fallopian tube is blocked. I am very upset because of this result. Any possibility to get baby with the help of Left Fallopian tube???

    Reply
  9. Rjohnson66

    Hello I had an ectopic pregnancy in my right tube in 2014 went in for an Laparoscopy 8/29/2017 to find that my right tube is completely blocked/not functioning it’s been a little over 3 years no luck obgyn said left tube works just fine I also have a slight tilted uterus and to keep trying what can I do to increase my chances??

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      One patent tube is enough for conceiving. There should be no problem.

      Nothing other symptom, like disturbances in menses, any pain down there. etc.?

      Reply
  10. Shaheen

    Hi,
    I did hystereoscopy in April 2017, report say that my right fallopian tube was blocked and left is open. Doctor did clear my tube but its still partially patent. Also my unk cell test came back positive. I did iui 2 times but no pregnancy. What should i do next?? Is there any chances os getting pregnant naturally of i should opt for ivf. I am not on any medication. Pls help

    Reply
  11. sunanda kumari

    My right fallopean tube is block and my first baby IUD in 28weeks then I could not conceive yet.plz suggest me.my age is 35 yes.iud in 2015.my married life is11 yes.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      It’s usually possible to conceive with one patent tube, if all other parameters are normal.

      Since you’re already 35 yrs of age, plan your pregnancy at the earliest.

      Reply
  12. Shaheen

    I recently did laproscopy. I have one subserosal fibroid and doctor did dye test and found that both tubes are open also my ovaries and uterus and good . Doctor asked me to try normally for 2 months and fibroid has no connection with pregnancy. .. is that true ???

    Reply
  13. Maria Basit

    Maria Basit
    From Last 1 year we are trying but not Conceive at last I go for a HSG test and here is my report.
    Kindly briefly described.
    Report :
    1.Uterine cavity is normal in outline and shape.
    2.Left Fallopian tube is partly outlined without intra-peritoneal contrast spill.
    3.Right Fallopian tube is well opacified with free spill of the contrast into the peritoneal cavity.

    Conclusion:- Blocked Left but patent Right Fallopian tube.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      In most cases, it’s possible to conceive with one patent tube, unless you have any other accompanying problem.

      Reply
  14. Shaheen

    I recently did laproscopy. I have one subserosal fibroid outside the uterus and doctor did dye test and found that both tubes are open also my ovaries and uterus and good . Doctor asked me to try normally for 2 months and fibroid has no connection with pregnancy.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      A small sized sub serosal one may not interfere with pregnancy. Bigger ones do interfere. Also, the location of the fibroid is important.

      Reply
        1. Buddy M.D. Post author

          Old appendicitis won’t interfere.

          Since the fibroid is small, it’s unlikely to cause any trouble. You may stick to your doctor’s suggestion.

          Reply
  15. Aditi

    Hi..
    My age is 28 and married for one and half yrs..trying to get pregnant since then..got abdominal scan..fibroid present in posterior wall of uterus on left side..Recently got hsg test. .right side fallopian tube is open but left side has cornual block…got follicule study done..follicule at right side..are there chances of getting pregnant.?? Also cornual block can be opened by surgery? Thanks in advance doctor..on hopes of becoming a mother one day!

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Cornual block may open up by procedures like interventional radiology.

      You need to treat the fibroid first, before trying conception. Such growths may interfere with implantation.

      Reply
  16. Anonymous

    My age is 30 and married for 3 yrs. my right side fallopian tube blocked, left side has slowly spillage. 1 time done IUI.. didn’t get pregnant. Are there chances of getting pregnant through IUI? Dr recommended me to IVF. Pls say solution for me..

    Reply
  17. Bhadra

    I am 26 yrs old, my right tube is blocked and I get ovulation by medication only..for the last cycle and current cycle my egg is growing in the right side.in last cycle we had done IUI but it was failure and in this cycle dr suggest for cancelling the IUi and do the laparoscopy and hysteroscopy. Left tube is fine . please help me do I have to go for it or wait.?

    Reply
  18. Selvi S

    1. I had hydrosalpinx in my left fallopian tube. Dr recommended me to remove the hydrosalpinx tube. Is this only way?
    2. If I remove my left side tube, can I get pregnant with right tube naturally?

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Drainage of the tube may be considered. If, however, there are adhesions or fibers formed inside it, removal would be the only option.

      You’ll be able to conceive naturally with one intact tube. No problem.

      Reply
  19. Selvi S

    Thank you sir.
    I have One more question.
    Is there any position to increase chance of pregnancy with right side tube?

    Reply
  20. Halima

    I had done hsg yesterday on 8 the day of my period it shown
    Right tube is patent
    Left tube is not visualised clearly
    Peritorial spillage of contrast noted on left side also

    Reply
  21. Jay

    Hi My Age is 36 married for 6yrs.
    After hysterosalphingogram examination the findings is:
    Both Fallopian tubes are visualized with subsequent intraperitoneal spillage of contrast on the right. However, no contrast spillage was observed on the left.

    Is there any chance of getting pregnant.pls help with your answer and suggestions.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      One of your tubes appear to be blocked. However, a single patent tube is sufficient to make you pregnant.

      Let us know if you have any other symptoms, like low abdomen pain, vaginal discharge, menstrual problems, digestion problems?

      Reply
  22. Rhoda Mitchell

    Hi I did my HSG two days ago, my right tube is opened,but the left had some spillage but not all the way through. Doctor said it’s partially opened. Can I get pregnant naturally or should I do IUI?

    Reply
  23. mona

    Am 28 now…Its been 2 years after marriage..After usg and hsg scan…doctor told me that my right tube is more likely blocked but my left tube is patent and all other parameters s normal.. Will i get pregnant…am so confused…My menses normal…Plz help

    Reply

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