How to Determine if the Fallopian Tubes Are Patent
Disease description:
I have been trying to conceive without success, and I am worried that there may be a problem with my fallopian tubes. Occasionally, I experience mild lower abdominal pain. I really want to know whether my fallopian tubes are open or not. What methods are available to accurately determine if my fallopian tubes are patent?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhang Lu
The patency of the fallopian tubes directly affects the union of the egg and sperm as well as the normal transport of the fertilized egg. Commonly used diagnostic methods include:
1. Saline infusion sonography (hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography): This is a non-invasive outpatient procedure. The physician inserts a thin tube into the cervix and injects a water-soluble contrast medium into the uterine cavity through this tube. Subsequently, ultrasound imaging is used to observe in real time the flow of the contrast medium within the uterus and fallopian tubes to determine whether the tubes are patent.
2. Hysterosalpingography (tubal patency test): This method involves introducing a fluid through a catheter into the uterine cavity. The physician evaluates tubal patency based on resistance, backflow, and the patient's sensations during the injection. This procedure is simple and relatively inexpensive, but it does not allow visualization of the internal structures of the uterus or fallopian tubes, thus having certain limitations in identifying the exact location and nature of tubal obstruction.
3. Laparoscopy: This is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed under general anesthesia. A small incision is made in the abdomen, through which a laparoscope equipped with a camera is inserted to directly visualize the internal pelvic structures, including the appearance and patency of the fallopian tubes. Additionally, mild tubal blockages can be treated through interventions performed under laparoscopic guidance.
