Hydrosalpinx

A hydrosalpinx is a fallopian tube that is filled with fluid. Injury to the end of the fallopian tube (the ampulla) and its delicate fingers (the fimbria) -- whether from infection or trauma, such as with contraceptive tubal ligation -- causes the end of the tube to close. Glands within the tube produce a watery fluid that collects within the tube, producing a sausage shaped swelling. The fluid is somewhat toxic to early embryo development.

Presence of hydrosalpinx creates or makes worse a number of situations. It prevents ovulated eggs from meeting with sperm. When conception does occur within the tube, hydrosalpinx can prevent embryos from reaching the uterus. The commonly performed diagnostic hysterosalpingogram (HSG) can inadvertently introduce bacteria into the tubes, possibly resulting in serious infection if hydrosalpinx exists. Hydrosalpinx interfere with fertility treatment and decreases chances for successful in vitro fertilization. Use of fertility drugs can unwittingly increase the fluid build-up within undetected hydrosalpinx.

The most common causes of hydrosalpinx are undiagnosed or untreated chlamydia and gonorrhea. Other possible causes are use of IUDs, endometriosis, and abdominal surgery.

Blocked Fallopian Tubes

Hydrosalpinx is one specific form of fallopian tube blockage, but there are others. Previously undetected or untreated infection of the tubes (salpingitis), including sexually transmitted infections, can cause adhesions and scarring within the tubes. Endometriosis lesions can also block tubes. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is sometimes to blame.

When blockage exists within one or both fallopian tubes, the egg cell and sperm cells are prevented from meeting, thereby preventing natural conception. In addition to barring conception, blocked fallopian tubes can also be the cause of ectopic pregnancy, a dangerous condition in which a pregnancy, unable to move to the uterus for implantation, starts to grow within the tiny fallopian tube itself.

Ovarian Cysts

Women of any age can have cysts on one or both ovaries. A cyst is a fluid-filled sac. Most ovarian cysts are benign, meaning they are not cancerous. The normal ovary can have small cysts leftover from ruptured egg follicles. On ultrasound, these simple cysts appear as bubble-like structures, filled with fluid. They usually disappear on their own and produce no symptoms.

Some ovarian cysts are associated with problems such as abdominal or pelvic pain, spotting in between menstrual periods, and/or infertility.

hemorrhagic cyst -- occurs when bleeding is also present

dermoid cyst -- comprised of the same tissue as skin, fat, bone, hair, or cartilage; may become inflamed or cause ovarian torsion (twisting)

endometrioid cyst -- caused by endometriosis, a common cause of female infertility

polycystic ovary -- usually twice its normal size with many small cysts on the outside; seen in women with and those without polycystic ovary syndrome

Fibroid Tumors

Many women have benign (non-cancerous) tumors in their uterus called myomata uteri or fibroids. These myoma may be silently present and cause no problems. In some women, however, fibroids can cause excessive and frequent menstrual periods, pelvic pain, infertility, and recurrent pregnancy loss.

Severe anemia can result from excessive uterine bleeding. Other symptoms can include pelvic pressure on the woman's bladder or rectum which may result in frequent urination or constipation. Some women will experience pain during sexual intercourse (due to an enlarged uterus).

Benign fibroids can be removed surgically through procedures known as laparoscopic or hysteroscopic myomectomy.