Infertility is a problem that affects many people. Indeed, around 12-13 percent of couples have trouble getting pregnant. While there are numerous reasons why a couple may struggle to achieve pregnancy, issues within the female reproductive system are a possible cause. Specifically, when a woman’s fallopian tubes become compromised in any way, pregnancy becomes much more difficult –– if not impossible. Today, then, we’ll focus on the fimbrioplasty procedure. A fimbrioplasty is a surgery that restores the integrity of the fallopian tubes and allows women who have struggled with infertility to become pregnant. Here’s everything you need to know about this procedure:
How Does a Fimbrioplasty Work?
The fallopian tubes play a major role in conception. In fact, fertilization occurs within the fallopian tubes. They also act as connectors between the ovaries and the uterus. However, there is no direct connection between the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Instead, each fallopian tube has a set of fimbriae, which are small finger-like projections that act to catch and guide released eggs.
When the fimbriae becomes damaged, scarred, or blocked, the odds of conception plummet. As such, doctors can perform a fimbrioplasty in order to correct these issues. Essentially, this microsurgery involves clearing any scar tissue, removing any blockages, and reconstructing the fimbriae.
Fimbrioplasty is a type of tuboplasty, which is a safe, effective, and out-patient surgery. Many women will be able to return home shortly after the surgery. In general, recovery time for a tuboplasty procedure is about 1-2 weeks, though, some women may need to wait several more weeks before engaging in strenuous physical activity.
Signs & Symptoms of Fallopian Tube Damage
The strongest indicator that your fallopian tubes have become damaged is an inability to conceive. If you’ve been trying to get pregnant for a year, but have been unable to, you may have a partial or full fallopian-tube blockage.
In some instances, women may experience pain in the belly or abdomen as a result of damage to their fallopian tubes. These pains tend to coincide with their periods.
Is a Fimbrioplasty Right for me?
As mentioned above, there are a number of factors that can contribute to infertility. Though tubal issues are fairly common, other problems associated with the ovaries are possible as well. (Note that male infertility is just as prevalent as infertility in women.)
Certain conditions and infections are associated with damage to the fallopian tubes. If you’ve experienced any of these issues before, you may be a strong candidate for fimbrioplasty:
- Year-long infertility.
- Pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Endometriosis.
- Certain STIs (gonorrhea, chlamydia).
- Previous ectopic pregnancy.
- Abdominal surgery.
Contact a Professional
If you’re having difficulty getting pregnant, then a procedure like tuboplasty could offer you and your partner a solution to the problem. There are several different varieties of tuboplasty, so speak to a professional about your fertility options.
Dr. Joseph Hazan has years of experience performing tuboplasty procedures and is an expert in the field. He holds certification from American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a member of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can contact him here to schedule a fertility consultation.