Fallopian Tubal Patency Test
The fallopian tube is also called the oviduct or the uterine tube. It refers to either one of a pair of long, slender ducts that transport the egg released from the ovary to the uterus. Fertilization takes place after an egg is released by one of the ovaries and is fertilized in the fallopian tube. The fallopian tubes transport the sperm to meet the egg. Fertilization takes place in the fallopian tube. The zygote (fertilized egg) that is formed multiplies repeatedly as it travels down the fallopian tube. The fallopian tube and its suitable environment play an important part in the reproductive cycle.
A blockage in the fallopian tube forms about 25% to 30% of infertility problems in women. Checking the fallopian tubes is an important diagnostic that can help solve any fertility-related issues.
What can cause problems in the fallopian tube?
A blocked fallopian tube can cause a constant pain in the pelvic or belly or a woman may feel pain just before menstruation. The blockages may be caused by scar tissue or pelvic adhesions due to an infection. Most blockages are caused by disease such as:
- Pelvic inflammatory disease, usually because of a sexually transmitted disease
- Endometriosis, a condition when endometrial tissue builds up in the fallopian tube
- Past ectopic pregnancies that cause scarring in the tubes
- Fibroids grow in the uterus but can often block the opening of the fallopian tube that connects to the uterus
- Past abdominal surgery of the fallopian tubes can cause scarring leading to blockage
- Pelvic Tuberculosis is an important cause of fallopian tune blockages in India
What is the Fallopian Tubal Patency Test?
A Fallopian Tubal Patency Test is performed for evaluating tubal status for any blockages or pelvic adhesions that may be present in the fallopian tubes. The patency, or the openness, of the tubes can be checked using any of these three key tests to diagnose blocked fallopian tubes:
- Hysterosalpingography (H.S.G) test is a standard radiological imaging of uterus & fallopian tubes and is performed in X-ray department without anesthesia. The doctor will inject a harmless dye into the womb. The stain is visible on an X-ray. If the dye does not flow into the fallopian tubes it indicates that the fallopian tube is blocked.
- A vaginal sonosalpingogram test is used with an ultrasound contrast fluid. A fine catheter inserts the fluid into the uterus to flow into the tubes. The ultrasound examination is used to visualize the contrast is it passes into the tubes and spills around the ovaries.
- Laparoscopy comprises a more complex procedure and is performed under general anesthesia requiring hospital admission. A surgeon makes a keyhole cut in the abdomen to insert a tiny camera that takes pictures of the fallopian tubes from the inside. It is the most accurate test for blocked fallopian tubes but not usually prescribed for early diagnosis.
When is a tubal patency test scheduled?
The best time to do a tubal patency test is between day 5 and 12 of your ovulation cycle. This test will not be performed after ovulation (when the ovary has released an egg) to avoid risking any potential pregnancy.
How long do the tests take?
The ultrasound and HSG take about 30 minutes and is well-tolerated by most patients. For a laparoscopy you need to be admitted in a hospital but may be discharged a few hours after the procedure.
What happens after the fallopian tubal patency test?
Depending on the results, the doctor may conduct surgery to remove the blocks in the fallopian tubes in the same sitting. The chances of getting pregnant naturally will depend on a woman’s age, the health of her partner’s sperm, and the level of damage in the fallopian tube. IVF can circumvent some of these obstacles by extracting a mature egg from the ovaries and fertilizing it outside the womb with sperm. The embryo thus formed can be inserted back into the womb, thus bypassing the role of the fallopian tubes.
At Xenith Advanced Fertility Centre, our team of experienced, qualified doctors are ready to help you in your journey to achieve pregnancy success. Our fertility clinic in Pune, PCMC is one of the best IVF centres and has high success rates for IVF treatment. Call us now to schedule an appointment.