Tubal & Peritoneal Factors in Infertility

Tubal factor infertility accounts for about 20-25% of all cases of infertility.

This category includes cases in which the woman has completely blocked fallopian tubes and also women who have either one blocked tube or no tubal blockage but tubal scarring or other tubal damage. Tubal factor infertility is usually caused by either pelvic infection, such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) or pelvic endometriosis. Sometimes it can be caused by scar tissue that forms after pelvic surgery.

In cases of relatively minor tubal damage it is sometimes difficult to be certain that the infertility problem is solely due to the tubal damage and there are not other significant contributing causes to the problem conceiving. In general, the standard testing is performed on all couples and if no other cause is found to explain the infertility the presumptive diagnosis can be tubal factor, or if the degree of tubal scarring is very minimal, a diagnosis of unexplained infertility may be warranted.

Peritoneal factors include endometriosis, appendicitis (especially when ruptured), abdominal or pelvic operations, infectious or non-infectious pelvic inflammatory diseases.

Each pregnancy, expectant mother, and unborn child is different. Your pregnancy may not progress the same as the information found here. The information here is based on the average pregnancy. It's not meant to be a replacement for any advice your may receive from your doctor. If you have any concerns about your pregnancy, we advise you to contact your doctor.