Blocked Fallopian Tubes and Nonsurgical Fibroid Treatment
There are many abdominal conditions experienced by women throughout their lifetimes. Two of which are blocked fallopian tubes and fibroids. Your fallopian tubes are thin vessels on each side of the uterus through which your eggs are conveyed once matured. When obstructions form in your fallopian tubes, it can be both painful and hazardous to your health. Blockages in your tubes prevent your eggs from traveling down towards the uterus during ovulation, causing infertility, as well as other symptoms. Around 40% of women experience infertility because of blocked fallopian tubes. Similarly, fibroids are abnormal benign tumors that grow in or on the surface of the uterus. Fibroids are the cause of significant abdominal pain, with women experiencing heavy periods and additional symptoms when affected. Appropriately, there are a range of treatments available for both conditions, and which form the topic of this article.
Treating Blocked Fallopian Tubes Symptoms of blocked fallopian tubes are relatively rare, though they can be particularly severe when experienced. Hydrosalpinx (a distinct variety of blocked tube) will cause lower abdominal pain as well as unusual vaginal discharge. Dilated tubes result from blockage, causing them to fill with fluid. This then prevents fertilization as it stops the egg and sperm from meeting, severely reducing chances of pregnancy. Blockages can lead to permanent scarring and adhesions of the tubes and ovaries over time. Conditions like pelvic inflammatory disease are typically responsible for blocked fallopian tubes. PID is usually brought on by an STD or other pelvic conditions, such as uterine infections, ruptured appendix, or endometriosis. In many cases, laparoscopic surgery is recommended. Laparoscopic surgery is minimally invasive and opens the blocked tubes via inserting a needle into your abdomen to fill it with carbon dioxide, which expands abdominal cavity, creating room for surgery. Using a laparoscope, the surgeon then takes a sample with which to assess your condition, and prescribe medication or further treatment. Nonsurgical Fibroid Treatment While fibroids tend to shrink and disappear on their own, after a certain amount of time, your doctor may decide to prescribe medication. Medication is often the safest course of treatment and has the added benefit being nonsurgical, as opposed to hysterectomies and myomectomies. Typical medications doctors prescribe to treat fibroids include: · Tranexamic acid is only considered when levonorgestrel intrauterine systems are not suitable. A small oral pill taken three to four times a day, Tranexamic acid works by minimizing bleeding of the womb lining, which causes fibroids to shrink over time. · Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogs (GnRHas) are a type of drug prescribed by doctors to help shrink fibroids. GnRHas like goserelin acetate are hormones administered via injection into the brain. They affect the pituitary gland which halts production of estrogen in the ovaries. It can also relieve symptoms of pressure in the womb area. · Ulipristal acetate is a type of medication taken orally, once a day, for up to three months. The drug relieves period pains and abnormal discharge while causing your fibroids to shrink. You should take ulipristal acetate during the first week of menstruation for the month.