If you only have one fallopian tube, you may be concerned about infertility. If you only have one fallopian tube, it is possible that you'll experience infertility, however, it may also mean that you have intermittent infertility. This will be explained in detail as you read on.
Reasons Some Women Have Only One Fallopian Tube
There are several reasons why a woman would only have one fallopian tube. The reason for having only one does have an impact on infertility or fertility. One common reason for having only one tube is due to certain cancers that caused the removal of one of the tubes. It is possible that the cancer was in the other fallopian tube as well, but was not seen at the time of the surgical removal of the first tube. It is during these times that it is possible for infertility or unsafe conception.
Infections that Cause Removal of Tube
An infection to the fallopian tube could have caused damage that necessitated the removal of the fallopian tube. It is not unlikely that the other tube was infected as well and had damages, but at the time the damages were not enough to remove the tube. However, scar tissue may have formed in the remaining tube and this could increase the odds of infertility, as well as the risk of ectopic pregnancy by having blockages of scar tissue that trap the egg and cause the egg to be fertilized inside the fallopian tube.
Ectopic Pregnancy Damage
An ectopic pregnancy, also known as a tubal pregnancy, is also a main cause for only having one fallopian tube. Since the knowledge of an ectopic pregnancy is usually not detected until rupture or close-to rupture, the damage to the fallopian tube is so extensive that the tube must be removed. In these cases, it is possible that the remaining tube suffered from great inflammation during the ectopic pregnancy and may have damages, adhesions or be otherwise unhealthy. Once a woman has had one ectopic pregnancy, her risk of having a subsequent ectopic pregnancy or infertility is increased drastically.
Intermittent Infertility
Each ovary has an adjacent fallopian tube unless one tube is missing. The ovaries do not alternate which will produce the egg; the selection is at random. So long as the ovary that produces the egg is adjacent to the healthy fallopian tube, then infertility is decreased. This means that with well-planned out insemination times determined by your ovulation cycle, it is likely that one month you may be infertile while the following month you may be fertile.
Having only one fallopian tube can cause you to be fertile during specific times and have infertility issues at other times. It is important that if you only have one, you notify the gynecologist as soon as you think you are pregnant. She will want to check for an ectopic pregnancy as soon as possible in case it is that way something can be done before the fetus gets too large and causes your tube to rupture.
