You are currently viewing Five facts about your fallopian tubes
Contrary to popular understanding, the fallopian tubes are not directly attached to the ovaries, but instead have fimbriae that extend toward the ovaries to catch the egg cells that exit during the menstrual cycle. — 123rf.com

Five facts about your fallopian tubes

In your reproductive system, your fallopian tubes play an important role, but how often do you give them any thought?

Let’s give the fallopian tubes a bit of time in the spotlight by highlighting these five key facts.

1. Your fallopian tubes are not actually attached to your ovaries

Let us first examine the anatomy of the fallopian tubes. If you’ve ever looked at a diagram of the female reproductive system, you’ll notice two long, curved tubes extending out from each side of the uterus.

The fallopian tubes, also known as uterine tubes, are responsible for carrying eggs from the ovaries to the uterus. However, in actuality, our fallopian tubes and ovaries aren’t stuck together like we see in the diagram – they are separate!

Fimbriae, which resemble finger-like tendrils, reach out from the fallopian tubes toward the ovaries and catch the egg cells (ova) as they exit the ovaries. Fertilisation, i.e. when an egg cell (ovum) meets a sperm cell and merge to form a zygote, usually occurs in the main channel of the tube, called the ampulla.

Following fertilisation, the zygote travels to the uterus via the ampulla for implantation, where it then develops into a foetus. You get your period and a new cycle begins again if the egg isn’t fertilised within 24 hours after being released from the ovary.

Hormonal changes cause the uterine lining to shed, which triggers your period. That’s a lot going on in that little tube!

2. Zygotes can sometimes implant in your fallopian tube

A fertilised egg may not make it all the way through the fallopian tube to the uterus. In some cases, it may implant itself inside the tube itself.

When this happens, the pregnancy is referred to as an ectopic pregnancy, or sometimes, a fallopian tube pregnancy. It is not possible to carry an ectopic pregnancy to term, and in some cases, it can be life-threatening to the mother as well.

Fortunately, ectopic pregnancies are relatively rare, but it is important to know what to watch for when you get pregnant. Not every ectopic pregnancy has symptoms, and you may only discover your pregnancy is an ectopic pregnancy during a routine scan.

3. Your ovaries don’t always take turns to ovulate

Every month, one of your ovaries releases an egg into the corresponding fallopian tube to be carried to your uterus, but did you know that they don’t always take turns to do so?

The ovaries contain a lot of follicles that could become mature eggs, but typically, only one mature egg is released per cycle. We say “typically” because sometimes more than one egg is released (known as hyperovulation) – that’s how fraternal twins are formed!

The ovaries and tubes do not rotate, so it’s not as simple as left ovary one month, right ovary the next. But it’s also not completely random either.

Evidence suggests that the right fallopian tube is slightly more dominant than the left, so over the course of your life, the right fallopian tube will do more work. If you tend to experience ovulation pain – a one-sided pain in your lower abdomen – it could indicate which side is doing the work that cycle!

4. Having only one fallopian tube does not prevent you from getting pregnant

Our fallopian tubes can be damaged and affected by certain things. Having only one fallopian tube does not usually affect your chances of getting pregnant, as an egg that’s released from one ovary can travel up the fallopian tube from the other side.

If one fallopian tube is missing, the other can travel over to the opposite ovary and pick up an egg. The egg will then travel down the tube and reach the uterus.

As long as all else is working normally, you don’t have to worry about your chances of getting pregnant being halved if you are missing a fallopian tube.

If you’ve had to remove a fallopian tube for medical reasons, it is important to discuss your fertility journey with your doctor after your operation as everyone’s fertility journey is unique and other factors such as your age and cycle regularity may also affect your chances of conceiving.

5. Blocked fallopian tubes are common

There are many reasons why fallopian tubes can become blocked, including:

  • Pelvic inflammatory diseaseWhen left untreated, pelvic inflammatory disease can be serious.It can affect the ovaries, fallopian tubes and uterus.
  • Sexually-transmitted infections (STIs)These include infections like gonorrhoea and chlamydia.
  • EndometriosisThis condition occurs when tissue that looks like your uterine lining grows outside the uterus.It can affect the ovaries, fallopian tubes or abdominal cavity.
  • Previous abdominal surgery
  • DilationConditions like hydrosalpinx and fluid build-up can cause the end of the fallopian tube to dilate and create a blockage.

If your fallopian tubes are blocked, the most common symptoms are pelvic or belly pain, which may become worse around your period. It is difficult to pinpoint the fallopian tubes as the source of pain, so it is important to see your doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms.

The majority of women are unaware that their fallopian tubes are blocked until they are trying to conceive. A blockage prevents sperm from reaching the eggs, and fertilised eggs from reaching the uterus, making pregnancy more difficult.

Small amounts of scar tissue or adhesions may block your fallopian tubes, but the blockage can usually be removed and the tubes fully opened.

With more serious scarring, this can be more difficult, or even impossible, but your gynaecologist can discuss the specifics of your case with you if you have any questions or concerns.

By Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar
Published in Star Newspaper, 08 May 2023

Leave a Reply