Britannica Sources used in this answer

How can blocked fallopian tubes cause infertility?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

varicocele — reproductive system disease Varicocele, enlargement of the veins of the spermatic cord, is a cause of infertility in men.

Blocked fallopian tubes cause infertility because these ducts serve as the essential passageways for both sperm and eggs. Under normal conditions, the fallopian tubes provide the necessary environment for fertilization and transport the egg from the ovary to the uterus.12

When these tubes are obstructed or scarred, the reproductive process is interrupted in two primary ways:

Prevention of Fertilization: Sperm are unable to travel through the tubes to reach the egg.2
Impeded Transport: If fertilization does occur, the fertilized egg may be prevented from traveling to the uterus for implantation.2

Blockages are frequently caused by scarring from conditions such as pelvic inflammatory disease, which often results from untreated infections like gonorrhea or chlamydia. Other causes include endometriosis and congenital defects. Medical professionals may evaluate tubal patency using hysterosalpingography or direct visualization techniques to identify and potentially treat these obstructions.12