While there are many causes of infertility, blockage of the fallopian tubes is often the reason why many women are unable to conceive. The fallopian tubes are the pathways in which the ova (eggs) travel from the ovaries down into the uterus.Therefore, if there is a blockage in these tubes, it can prevent fertilization from occurring.

The fallopian tubes can sometimes become blocked or even damaged due to certain conditions that a woman may suffer from. In rare cases, the blockage to the fallopian tubes may have been present since birth as a birth defect, but have gone undetected until the woman reached adulthood and tried to conceive.

Upon ovulation, the egg travels from the ovary to the fallopian tubes where the sperm will meet the egg and fertilization occurs. Once fertilized, the zygote (fertilized egg) is pushed through the fallopian tubes into the uterus where implantation will occur.

How Cells of the Fallopian Tubes are Affected by Hormones

There are two types of cells within the fallopian tubes. Ciliated cells and Peg Cells.

Ciliated cells are most abundant in the infundibulum and ampullary. Estrogen increases the production of cilia cells in the fallopian tubes. Scattered between the ciliated cells are peg cells which produce tubular fluid. This fluid contains important nutrients for both sperm, eggs, and zygotes (fertilized eggs). The secretions also promote capacitation of the sperm. You may not know it, but the sperm cannot mature for complete fertilization without this important fluid. Progesterone increases the number of peg cells. Estrogen increases the height and secretory activity of the peg cells. In addition, tubal fluid flows against the action of the cilia, near the fimbriated end. Not only is progesterone and estrogen balance vital to the menstrual cycle overall, but it is vital to the health and proper function of the fallopian tubes as well. Therefore, if you suffer from hormonal imbalances, you might need to get it treated fast before it starts affecting the wellness of your fallopian tubes.

Location and Types of Blockages

These are the three main locations for fallopian tube blockages;

1. Proximal 2. Midsegment 3. Distal

There are different types of fallopian tube blockages based on location. Because the fallopian tubes have different parts, and as a tube, there may be different parts of the tube blocked. Each section has its own name. Doctors have also come to find out that there are patterns of disease or trauma that may affect certain parts of the fallopian tubes more than others.

Proximal tubal occlusion involves the isthmus. This can occur after infection such as complications from abortion, missed miscarriage, cesarean section or PID. Permanent birth control procedures like Essure block the isthmus.

Midsegment tubal obstruction of the ampullary is most often due to tubal ligation damage. Tubal ligation is a surgical procedure to permanently prevent pregnancy. Some women who have had tubal ligation change their mind later in life and choose to have this procedure reversed. This can be done surgically and has a 75% pregnancy success rate. Tubal ligation removal comes with its own risk for development of more scar tissue on top of scar tissue already present from the initial tubal ligation procedure.

Distal tubal occlusion is the type of blockage that affects the part of the fallopian tube end towards the ovary. This type of blockage is typically associated with hydrosalpinx. Hydrosalpinx is often caused by Chlamydia trachomatis infection, which is - See more at: http://planbwellness.com/natural-therapy-blocked-fallopian-tubes/#sthash.e0REvLwU.dpuf