Can You Still Ovulate If Your Fallopian Tubes Are Blocked?

You can ovulate if your fallopian tubes are blocked. Because your ovaries aren't connected to your fallopian tubes, a properly functioning ovary is still free to perform its regular, once-a-month duty of releasing an egg for fertilization.

Catch and Carry

• The end of the fallopian tube that lies closest to the ovary is a bit wider than the end connected to your uterus. It also contains projected muscular tissue that enables it to catch the egg after your ovary releases it. Once the egg is in the tube, tiny hairs lining the inside of the tube help propel the egg to your uterus.

Blocked Path

• Your tubes can become narrowed or blocked at any point along their approximately 4-inch length, according to Clear Passage Therapies. So, the egg could make it inside your fallopian tube, but the constriction will either prevent sperm from reaching the egg or prevent the egg from making its way to your uterus.

Causes

• Fallopian tubes can become blocked for several reasons. Pelvic inflammatory disease is a common cause. Sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia or gonorrhea can create inflammation and scar tissue in the tubes. A previous ectopic, or tubal pregnancy, can damage the tube in which it occurred.

Diagnosis

• To diagnose a blocked tube, your doctor may perform a hysterosalpingogram, a procedure in which dye is injected into your uterus and fallopian tubes. Through X-ray imaging, your doctor will be able to tell the location of the blockage based on where the dye stops flowing. Laparoscopic surgery will enable your doctor to find any tubal damage by inserting a small camera into your abdomen.

Treatment

• Surgery is sometimes used to clear a block or remove scar tissue. However, the Merck Manual states that the procedure seldom leads to a woman being able to get pregnant naturally. In-vitro fertilization is often needed.