Getting pregnant is the dream of many women, but this goal is not always easy to achieve. Various problems can occur1, either with the man, with the woman, or even with both in rarer cases. And although, fortunately, treatments are increasingly advanced in this area, there are still many problems that need to be overcome. When we talk about twisted fallopian tubes, for example, we are talking about an issue known to many women and experienced by many others. But what are they and how can they affect a possible pregnancy? That is exactly the topic we will discuss today. To better understand why twisted fallopian tubes can make it harder for a woman to get pregnant and how this happens, we first need to understand how they influence fertility, because only then will we be able to understand how they can also cause harm.

What Are Fallopian Tubes?

The fallopian tubes2, also known as uterine tubes or oviducts, are located at the upper part of the uterus, one on each side, and are divided into four sections: the uterine part, isthmus, ampulla, and infundibulum. Fertilization of the egg by the sperm occurs in the fallopian tubes, and they are responsible for transporting the egg to the uterus, meaning they are essential to the process of pregnancy. A large part of the causes of infertility or difficulty getting pregnant in women is linked to problems in the fallopian tubes, such as twisted tubes3.

What Is a Twisted Fallopian Tube?

When a woman has twisted fallopian tubes, it means her fallopian tubes are bent or twisted, which makes it harder for sperm to reach the egg. Having a twisted tube is different from having blocked tubes. In that case, it means they are closed, which can cause infertility and requires more intensive and different treatment. Many people end up confusing the two terms or assuming they are the same thing, so it’s necessary to explain what the differences are and how this can affect a woman when trying to conceive.

Is It Possible to Get Pregnant Even with Twisted Fallopian Tubes?

Getting straight to the point: Yes, it is possible to get pregnant even with twisted fallopian tubes. As you’ve seen, when this problem exists, the woman is not exactly infertile, although there are more difficulties in getting pregnant than usual. Still, the most recommended thing is to see a doctor to carry out all necessary treatments, both to ensure this issue does not prevent you from getting pregnant and to monitor what is happening in your body and if there are any changes in your twisted fallopian tubes.

What Causes Twisted Fallopian Tubes?

When a woman has twisted fallopian tubes, it does not necessarily mean that she has gone through some kind of trauma or problem, but that is certainly a possibility. Women who have gone through inflammatory or infectious processes in the tubes are at risk of having their tubes become twisted. This happens because some types of inflammation and infections can affect the muscles that support this region, causing them to become bent, making pregnancy harder to achieve. There is no way to “straighten out” the tubes, but there are some types of treatment that can be done so that the effects of the twisted tube do not affect the woman.

How Is the Diagnosis of Twisted Fallopian Tubes Made?

The diagnosis of twisted fallopian tubes can be made through the hysterosalpingography exam. These two exams basically involve taking X-rays of the woman’s pelvic region to detect any type of abnormality that may be present in her tubes. The doctor may request one or even both, depending on the degree of difficulty in viewing your tubes.

Treatment for Twisted Fallopian Tubes

Before we talk about the treatments themselves, it is important to remember that there is no treatment to reverse this condition, that is, to straighten them out. Treatments are done so that the woman can get pregnant when there is some kind of difficulty. Doctors usually recommend that women try to conceive naturally for at least 6 months while monitoring their own and their partner’s fertility through exams. When it is certain that difficulties in getting pregnant are due to twisted tubes, there are several ways to treat this condition. They are:

We’ll discuss each of these types of treatment in more depth so you can better understand how they are performed.

In Vitro Fertilization

Also known as IVF, in vitro fertilization is nothing more than fertilizing the egg with sperm outside the body. The embryo is then transferred to the uterine cavity. If the woman has no other fertility issues, pregnancy will proceed completely naturally from there. This method is usually used when other types of treatment have not been successful or when twisted tubes make it very difficult for sperm to reach the egg.

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is a surgery performed to try to straighten the twisted tubes as much as possible and open up the path for the sperm. This surgery is also performed on women who have blocked tubes, also aiming to open this pathway. Each case is different from the next, so you need to talk carefully with your doctor to analyze your situation and see if you really need one or another type of treatment. Many times, you are able to get pregnant naturally, but if not, your doctor will guide you to the best path. If having a child is the dream of many women, the good news is that science has advanced to make this possible for everyone. There will always be an alternative for your problems, even if it is not exactly what you wanted most. Speaking specifically of twisted tubes, this is a problem that can be solved and, even if there are some complications, it is possible to get pregnant. Completing the treatment is just the first step toward starting a new chapter with a new life on the way. And you’ll notice that many questions about this new phase are still to come.