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What Are the Symptoms of Scarred Fallopian Tubes?

Autumn Rivers
Autumn Rivers

In many cases, women with scarred Fallopian tubes are not aware they have the condition, which does not always present symptoms. The first indication of an issue may arise when a woman tries to conceive, because having two blocked Fallopian tubes tends to result in infertility; it is possible, though perhaps more difficult, to conceive when only one tube is blocked by scars. Some women, however, do notice mild pain, either on one or both sides of the abdomen. Severe pain is another possible symptom of damaged Fallopian tubes, and it may be worse during menstruation.

For many women, the first sign of Fallopian tube scarring is infertility. There are several causes of infertility, so women who suspect a problem are advised to see a doctor, who can use a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) to diagnose tubal scarring. An HSG involves a doctor injecting dye into the cervix; the dye should go into the uterus, through the Fallopian tubes and into the ovaries. If the dye only gets to one ovary, it is an indication that one tube is likely scarred, while dye that fails to make it to either ovary is an indication that both tubes may be scarred. In most cases, women who suffer from infertility attributed to tubal scarring have two scarred Fallopian tubes, because it is possible to become pregnant with only one functioning tube.

Infertility may be a sign of scarred fallopian tubes.
Infertility may be a sign of scarred fallopian tubes.

Some women with scarred Fallopian tubes notice abdominal pain that is mild yet constant. If only one tube is blocked, the pain may only present on one side of the abdomen, but it can show up across the entire lower abdominal area when both tubes are blocked. Patients are cautioned that various problems can cause mild abdominal pain, so it is usually best to see a doctor before assuming that scarring on the Fallopian tubes is to blame.

Signs of scarred fallopian tubes may include constant abdominal pain.
Signs of scarred fallopian tubes may include constant abdominal pain.

A small percentage of women suffering from scarred Fallopian tubes only notice abdominal pain occasionally but, when it does show up, it is severe. Like the mild, intermittent pain, severe discomfort may show up on one or both sides, depending on whether both Fallopian tubes are scarred. In many cases, this type of pain becomes worse during menstruation and may disappear for the rest of the month. In general, the pain of blocked Fallopian tubes tends to differ depending on the cause of the scarring. For example, when it is caused by pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), the pain will show up most often during menstruation, while scarring caused by an infection tends to cause pain mostly during sexual intercourse.

Discussion Comments

anon989842

If the fallopian tube blockage is due to some bacterial infection, take an antibiotic during your menstruation time, if will clear. Drink water and a lots of fruits and veggies. Hope it helps!

serenesurface

@feruze-- Lots of people don't have any symptoms, my sister didn't have any either.

I don't know if that's good or bad though. If you don't have symptoms you probably won't find out about the scarring until you go to the doctor for infertility or some other reason.

bear78
@ankara-- Hey hon, scarring doesn't necessarily mean that the tube is blocked. Basically when it's scarred there is scar tissue building up in the tube. So there may be scarring but the tube might still be able to function. However, if the condition that is causing the scarring to occur in the first place continues, the tube might eventually get blocked from all the scar tissue. Usually they do a laproscopy to find out the extent of the scarring.

It's surprising though that you don't have any symptoms. I used to have mild pain and discomfort around my pelvis area when I had scarring. Then, it turned into severe pain on my right side within a matter of a day. I ended up in the emergency from the pain and found out that my right fallopian tube was blocked.

bluedolphin

I'm a little confused, is fallopian tube scarring and fallopian tube blockage the same thing? If a tube is scarred, does it also mean that it is blocked?

I had a hysterosalpingography (HSG) last week and the doctor said that one of my tubes is scarred. She didn't elaborate on it and didn't seem worried at all but after reading all this, I'm a little scared. The thing is that I have never experienced any symptoms, no pain, not even during menstruation.

I do have a son but would like to have another child in the future. So does the scarring mean that that tube is blocked?

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    • Infertility may be a sign of scarred fallopian tubes.
      By: WavebreakMediaMicro
      Infertility may be a sign of scarred fallopian tubes.
    • Signs of scarred fallopian tubes may include constant abdominal pain.
      By: gstockstudio
      Signs of scarred fallopian tubes may include constant abdominal pain.
    • A diagram of the female reproductive system, including the fallopian tubes.
      By: Alila
      A diagram of the female reproductive system, including the fallopian tubes.
    • Severe abdominal pain during menstruation is a symptom of scarred fallopian tubes.
      By: michaeljung
      Severe abdominal pain during menstruation is a symptom of scarred fallopian tubes.
    • A scarred fallopian tube may be caused by pelvic inflammatory disease.
      By: joshya
      A scarred fallopian tube may be caused by pelvic inflammatory disease.