Adhesions in the fallopian tubes are a fairly common disease of a gynecological nature. Many women with this problem cannot conceive a child. According to statistics, approximately 20% of the fair sex do not respond to this disease and do not seek help from a doctor, which entails the development of rather serious complications. Why are adhesions in the fallopian tubes preventing pregnancy? What symptoms are accompanied by this pathological process? The answers to these and many other questions can be found by reading this article.
General information
Adhesions (otherwise they are called synechia) are neoplasms located on the mucous organs of the small pelvis. They are distinguished by the ability to tightly fasten together the walls of the fallopian tubes. As a result, obstruction occurs, which is confirmed by ultrasound, and therefore infertility. In addition, the presence of these neoplasms in the fallopian tubes increases the risk of developing a so-called ectopic pregnancy.
Interestingly, even small commissures can become a serious obstacle to the passage of the sperm to the egg. If the merger nevertheless happened, the existing neoplasms make it impossible for the fertilized egg to move further into the uterus itself, because it is here that it begins to grow. As a result, the zygote is literally forced to develop in the fallopian tube. At the next examination, this process can be examined by ultrasound, and the diagnosis will sound like an ectopic pregnancy. That is why it is so important to determine the presence of pathology in the early stages.
The main reasons for the development of pathology
The main reason for adhesions in the fallopian tubes is the inflammatory process, which is the result of complex births, numerous abortions, diagnostic curettages and the use of intrauterine contraceptives.
The development of this pathology is also affected by diseases of the female reproductive system, including a sexually transmitted one. Most often, chlamydia, ureoplasma and mycoplasma act as infectious agents. For a long time, the disease may not bother the woman, that is, do not manifest itself with external clinical signs. However, after numerous unsuccessful attempts to conceive a child, the lady still decides to seek the help of a doctor. It is on a diagnostic examination that it becomes clear that adhesions in the fallopian tubes are the causes of infertility, that is, the result of a chronic inflammatory process in the appendages. That is why it is so important to regularly visit a gynecologist.
Endometriosis is another reason for this pathology. With this disease, the endometrium grows into an area unusual for it, which provokes the appearance of bends in the pipes, their displacement.
In addition, operations on the reproductive organs of women often become the cause of the development of this pathology.
What clinical signs are accompanied by adhesions in the fallopian tubes?
Symptoms indicating the presence of such a serious pathology may not manifest for a long time. Usually a woman finds out about her during an examination to identify the causes of infertility. In general, clinical signs depend on the stage of the disease. As a rule, a woman is worried about the following symptoms:
- In acute form: nausea and vomiting, a slight increase in temperature, heart palpitations.
- The intermittent form is manifested by periodic pain and indigestion.
- The chronic form is characterized by rare pain and constipation.
Sometimes patients note menstrual irregularities, frequent urination, constant headaches, discomfort in the lower back and abdominal cavity.
Stages of the disease
According to medical sources, there are three stages of this disease:
- Neoplasms are localized directly on the walls of the fallopian tubes. The remaining area between them is enough for the fertilized egg to enter the uterus. At this stage, treatment does not require surgical intervention.
- In the second stage, adhesions are localized between the tube itself and the ovary. This kind of arrangement does not allow the egg to move freely. In this case, the only effective treatment is laparoscopy.
- The third stage - the fallopian tube is completely blocked by neoplasms, as a result of which it is somewhat displaced. In this case, as a rule, one cannot do without the help of surgical intervention.
Pregnancy and adhesions in the fallopian tubes
The causes of this pathological process and associated symptoms often do not cause anxiety. Many women are not aware of the danger of such a disease. They understand its seriousness only when they cannot naturally conceive a child.
If damage to the fallopian tubes is minor, pregnancy after surgical treatment occurs in 50% of cases.
In case of irreversible disorders, when there is a lesion of the mucous membrane of the tubes, the disappearance of cilia and the appearance of scar tissue, the probability of having a baby conceive independently is almost zero. The presence of a focus of the inflammatory process also significantly exacerbates the situation.
Of course, only a consultation with a gynecologist can give a definite answer, can a woman become pregnant on her own or not. No need to despair ahead of time, because today medicine does not stand still. Many women managed to try on the role of the mother even with a diagnosis such as adhesions in the fallopian tubes. Photos of happy ladies clearly prove this statement.
Spikes and IVF
Even after a complete restoration of patency of the fallopian tubes, doctors are far from always able to normalize the functioning of the ciliary epithelium. In the event of complete obstruction, many patients do not even try to surgically eliminate all existing adhesions. The thing is that the probability of becoming pregnant naturally in this case is negligible. On the other hand, the risk of a so-called ectopic pregnancy increases. In this kind of situation, IVF is recommended for women.
If the patient is diagnosed with adhesions of the first or second degree, other disorders that prevent conception are not found, you can try to conceive a child in a natural way. In this matter, the age of the woman is of great importance, since the ovarian reserve and the quality of the eggs only worsen every year. It also happens that after the birth of the first child through IVF, it is possible to independently conceive a second and even a third. This is due to the fact that during the bearing of the fetus the uterus itself significantly increases in size, which contributes to the independent separation of adhesions.
After 35 years with prolonged infertility due to adhesions, it is recommended that first of all, preference be given to the IVF procedure.
Diagnostics
Today, medicine has all the necessary tools for the timely detection of such a pathology as adhesions in the fallopian tubes. Ultrasound and a routine gynecological examination do not allow a 100% chance of detecting this problem. The thing is that because of their special structure, synechiae remain invisible to the ultrasound apparatus. Currently, three types of diagnostic tests are offered:
- Hysterosalpingography. This procedure involves the introduction into the uterine cavity of a liquid with a special contrast agent. Then, using an X-ray, an assessment of the state of the organs is carried out and the degree of penetration of this substance directly into the abdominal cavity is determined . If fluid is present, it can be assumed that there is no obstruction in the pipes. Such a study is recommended to be carried out immediately after the termination of ovulation, in order to prevent exposure to, possibly, a pregnancy.
- Echohysterosalpingoscopy. In this case, the most common saline solution is injected into the uterine cavity , after which the doctor conducts an ultrasound scan.
- Laparoscopy. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. On the abdomen, the surgeon makes three small incisions, through which the necessary tools for manipulation are introduced. One of them is a laparoscope - a tube with a camera at the end. The image from it is broadcast on a computer screen, which allows you to accurately assess the condition of internal organs. Sometimes an operation to excise existing adhesions is immediately prescribed.
Only after a full diagnostic examination can the doctor prescribe appropriate therapy.
Drug treatment
Is it possible to cure adhesions in the fallopian tubes? The causes of this pathological process in this matter play a paramount role. If the appearance of adhesions was preceded by a urogenital infection, first of all, therapy should be aimed at eliminating it. For these purposes, anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics are prescribed.
If the cause of the disease is endometriosis, the patient is recommended to take hormonal drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs. Recently, enzyme therapy has been highly effective. In this case, fibrinolytic agents are used for treatment, which dissolve fibrin, thereby absorbing small adhesions.
Surgical intervention
If drug therapy does not fully eliminate the adhesions in the fallopian tubes, the treatment is adjusted. As a rule, the doctor decides on surgical surgery, and more specifically on laparoscopy.
The operation is performed under general anesthesia. Several microscopic sections are made on the external surface of the abdomen, through which the laparoscope itself and other instruments for performing surgical procedures will then be directly inserted. At the end of the laparoscope is a small camera, the image from which falls on the computer screen. Thus, the doctor can assess the condition of the internal organs of a woman. Then the operation itself is performed directly, that is, the doctor removes all adhesions in the fallopian tubes.
Feedback on this procedure is extremely positive. Laparoscopy allows you to remove all existing formations, while minimizing the likelihood of their reappearance. During surgery, blood loss and the risk of developing any complications are minimal. Just a few hours after the procedure, a woman can go home.
There are several other options for surgical treatment of the adhesive process. This is hydrotubation and pertrubation. During these procedures, the fallopian tubes are rinsed with a sterile solution or purged with air. Today, such treatment is practically not used due to the appearance of quite serious complications.
Physiological treatments
How else can cure adhesions in the fallopian tubes? Treatment with physiological methods has recently enjoyed unprecedented popularity. What does it mean by itself?
The nature of uterine synechia is such that it can soften and stretch. These features greatly facilitate the surgical removal of adhesions. To improve the circulation of the pelvic organs after an ultrasound, a specialist can recommend a course of physiological treatment (gynecological massage, mud therapy, etc.).
Possible complications
Neglect of this disease and the lack of timely treatment can lead to the development of quite serious complications. These include the following:
- Tubal peritoneal infertility.
- Ectopic pregnancy.
- Chronic pelvic pain.
Moreover, an ectopic pregnancy often entails massive bleeding, which can cause death.
Preventative measures
First of all, all women, without exception, are recommended to regularly visit a gynecologist. The specialist can in the early stages determine the presence of a disease and prescribe appropriate treatment.
If a woman has a choice between cesarean section and natural birth, preference should be given to the latter option.
Any gynecological surgery, including abortion, should not be performed if there is an inflammatory process in the body. Before this kind of intervention, some women are even given prophylactic local therapy.
The preferred method of contraception is a condom. It not only almost 100% protects against unwanted pregnancy, but also is a means of preventing many diseases that are transmitted directly through sexual contact. The intrauterine device, popular today, in some cases can provoke adhesions in the fallopian tubes.
The causes of this pathology are often hidden in repeated abortions and diagnostic curettage. To prevent pregnancy, emergency contraception is preferred in this case.
Conclusion
In this article, we talked about what are adhesions in the fallopian tubes, the causes of this pathology, and modern methods of treatment. You should not neglect this disease and postpone a visit to the gynecologist, because the consequences of this ailment are often irreversible. Be healthy!