1. “Just relax, it will happen.”
This myth is a crowd favorite and probably one of the most frustrating, often perpetuated by those who have not personally dealt with infertility. You may have been subjected to the knee-jerk statement, “Just stop trying so hard.” Wouldn’t it be great if you could clear your fallopian tubes by simply relaxing? Unfortunately, you can’t. While there is some evidence to support the idea that stress can play a role in infertility, it does not directly cause blocked fallopian tubes – a mechanical condition.
2. Your only option is IVF
When a woman finds out she has a tubal obstruction, she may think, or be told, that her only option is to remove the tubes and proceed straight to in vitro fertilization (IVF). Even if both fallopian tubes are blocked, a more conservative treatment is available. Our manual therapy treats fallopian tubes that are blocked by adhesions or scarring, helping women avoid surgery and become pregnant naturally.
3. Surgically closed tubes can’t be reopened
Fortunately, women who have had their tubes tied have the option to go through a procedure called a tubal ligation reversal, in which the surgeon rejoins the ends of the fallopian tube that were previously blocked or clamped. However, tubal reversal success rates vary greatly due to the many factors involved. These include:
- Age
- Surgeon’s experience
- The method used for ligation
- How the tubes are repaired
- Level of scarring and adhesions that form after surgery
Ways to mitigate the risks include working with an experienced surgeon, acting quickly if age is a factor, and seeking treatment for the adhesions that can block the fallopian tubes following surgery.
4. An HSG will open your tubes
While some women have reported that their tube(s) opened following an HSG, the procedure is not intended as a treatment for blocked tubes. Other than anecdotal evidence, there is currently no data showing that an HSG can open blocked tubes.
5. You need two tubes to become pregnant
Some women are born with only one tube, while others have only one working tube. While having only one fallopian tube can decrease the chance of pregnancy, it is still possible to conceive with only that tube. If you have both ovaries, have no ovulation problems, and your remaining tube is healthy, you may be able to become pregnant.
6. Tubes can only be unblocked with surgery
If adhesions are causing a blockage or narrowing of the fallopian tubes, you may think the only option is to have the adhesions surgically removed. A study in the journal Human Reproduction reported that only 19% of blocked fallopian tubes remained open six months after a minimally invasive surgery to clear the tubes. (Gleicher et al., 1993) This means there is often only a short window of time for a woman to conceive before adhesions reform.
Manual physical therapy has been shown to be an effective alternative treatment for the adhesions within the female reproductive system, restoring the function of the fallopian tubes (Rice et al., 2015) without the risk of new adhesions forming.
7. You will never get pregnant naturally
Published research shows that women with blocked fallopian tubes were able to conceive naturally after our treatment. Our manual therapy program helps clear blocked tubes by addressing adhesions and scarring, enabling women to have successful pregnancies without numerous drug cycles or invasive surgical procedures.
The following graph compares our success rates with those of surgery.
Do you or someone you know struggle with female infertility? Contact us at 1-352-336-1433 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a phone consultation with a therapist, at no cost to you, and learn whether our therapy can help you.
References
http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/tubal-ligation-reversal
“If the information in this article sounds like it may relate to what you’re experiencing, the team at Clear Passage® Physical Therapy is here to help. Many people living with this condition simply want to know if there is a natural treatment option without drugs or surgery that could work for them. The good news is you don’t have to figure it out alone. You can request more information to speak with a knowledgeable team member who will review your situation and help you understand whether this specialized therapy may be a good fit. If you’re ready to move forward, you can also apply for therapy so the clinical staff can carefully review your health history and determine the best path toward relief. Taking a few minutes to reach out could be the first step toward getting answers—and possibly getting your life back.”