Been married for 5 years now. Before I got married, I did all fertility tests with my hubby including HSG and they all came out clean. A year after I got married and didn't conceive, my gynae asked me to repeat all my tests including HSG and they were all ok and my case was classified as unexplained infertility. Two weeks after repeating the HSG at a popular diagnostic center on Ligali Ayorinde, VI, I was rushed to the clinic due to severe stomach cramps and after series of tests, I was placed on anti biotics with no real explainations as to what could have caused the excess abdominal fluids I had in my abdomen. some months later, I was asked to do Laparoscopy and behold my tubes were blocked. After deep investigation into my case by experts it was discovered that the rusty instruments used for the last HSG caused the damage.I actually saw those instruments before the tests but the radiologist assured me its no big deal cos the instruments are sterilized. Today I'm left with blocked tubes and really don't know what to do since IVF@4 attempts too has not worked for me.
I've discussed removing my tubes with both my Gynae and Hubby but non of them wants to hear of it since I'm still in my early 30s. Is there anyone with similiar problem who was able to concieve either naturally or through IVF in this forum? I'm really desperate now as my home is gradually hitting the rocks. I'v heard of fellopio and other herbal remedies used for opening the tubes, has any one used them before? Please honest advice only.

why not sue those responsible for the blockage of your tubes first to start with

Sueing them won't solve my problems. All I need now is solutions.

I feel your pain my sister. but even when your tubes were open, u still couldnt conceive, 4 IVF attemps all failed, I think this case should better be left to God than looking for solution where there is none. God will do His miracles in your life and cause your joy to be full.

As it is, my only option for now is to keep trying IVF unless a miracle happens and I conceive naturally. Lots of people actually have this blocked tubes problem but as you know its not something one is proud of so its really difficult talking about it. I think I will feel better if those in this category who eventually got pregnant either through IVF or natural conception speak up so I'll know that I'm not alone and keep hoping that one day I'll carry my baby too.

Tubes are removed when they become a threat to life as in cases of ectopic pregnancies, hydrosalpinx (excess fluids in the tubes), and other reasons. Athough those without tubes tend to get pregnant easily through IVF because it is believed the caged fluid rows back and kills the embryos after transfer or prevents it from implanting. This hydrosalpinx business is usually taken care of with strong anti-biotics prior to IVF but not many people are lucky to get a BFP after embryo transfer. Even when everything is ok, you still get negative results after IVF so just keep trusting God cause IVF itself is a miracle. I've seen that fellopio stuff on the net but can't tell if they are effective as in I haven't seen anyone who used them even though they have distributors in Nigeria and have lots of testimonials on their site. Keep praying and don't give up!

Rust2000:

Sueing them won't solve my problems. All I need now is solutions.

You are very right there.
But.
It could help prevent the same thing happening to another woman?
Isn't it worth the trouble to at least denounce the physician to the medical college?

@OP
The rusted instruments didn't block your tubes. Blocked tubes don't happen overnight. Most likely, you've had a long-standing pelvic infection which the HSG caused to flare up. It's actually a very common complication of the procedure. As long as the tools used were sterile, they couldn't have blocked  your tubes regardless of if they were rusted or not.

The best solution to blocked tubes is IVF. Unfortunately that is very expensive. The only real alternative is Hydrotubation, a procedure similar to the HSG. The problem is it needs to be done several times and only seems to work in 20% of cases, so if you can afford it, you should go for IVF. Herbal remedies are useless so don't bother wasting your money.

For those who want to know how to avoid this problem in the future, my advice is to use condoms every single time you have s.ex. That's the only way to ensure that you don't catch anything before you're ready to start your family. The thing about these infections is that its possible to have them for years without knowing because the symptoms can be very mild, or may be severe for a short while than disappear for years during which, your tubes are slowly getting blocked.

Blocked tubes are the No. 1 cause of infertility in Nigeria and pelvic inflammatory disease is the No. 1 cause of blocked tubes. If you suspect that you have a pelvic infection (symptoms include lower abdominal pain, pain during intercourse or a foul-smelling vag.inal discharge), you need to get it treated fast and aggressively; preferably by a gynaecologist. Don't think that because the symptoms have stopped that the infection is over because it probably isn't. Get treated now, you don't want to find out years later when you are trying to get pregnant!

^^^This is very good advice for women in general!
Washing hands and intimate organs before and after intimacy (both of you!) is also a good idea.

Still, rusted instruments being used in a clinic?
It should be denounced.

It is a pity dear . I really know how you fell now lets talk outside in box me  or send a text to  07083154298 for further direction starting your text with the word   ''blocked  tubes'' thank you

PA1982:

^^^This is very good advice for women in general!
Washing hands and intimate organs before and after intimacy (both of you!) is also a good idea.

Still, rusted instruments being used in a clinic?
It should be denounced.

This is Nigeria and most of our people are poor so compromises have to be made to keep medical care affordable. Plus its very difficult/expensive to get decent quality instruments here which is why you see so many old ones. As long as they don't harm the patient, there's nothing wrong with using old instruments. You should be more concerned about how/whether the instruments are sterilized rather than if they are rusty. HIV is no joke.

More advice for women: If he's not yet your husband, then make him wear a condom, no matter what he says. If you suspect that your husband has been playing away match, make him wear a condom every time he's with you. Don't play with your health. You wouldn't believe how common STIs like Chlamydia are among Nigerian women nowadays. And most of them have no clue about it.

Condoms are the greatest invention since since sliced bread. Use them properly and consistently and you can do whatever you want, sleep with as many people as you like with almost no repercussions. When the only alternatives are total abstinence and catching a horrible disease (or an unwanted pregnancy) I don't understand why so many people find it hard to use them.

Evil Brain:

@OP
The rusted instruments didn't block your tubes. Blocked tubes don't happen overnight. Most likely, you've had a long-standing pelvic infection which the HSG caused to flare up. It's actually a very common complication of the procedure. As long as the tools used were sterile, they couldn't have blocked  your tubes regardless of if they were rusted or not.

The best solution to blocked tubes is IVF. Unfortunately that is very expensive. The only real alternative is Hydrotubation, a procedure similar to the HSG. The problem is it needs to be done several times and only seems to work in 20% of cases, so if you can afford it, you should go for IVF. Herbal remedies are useless so don't bother wasting your money.

For those who want to know how to avoid this problem in the future, my advice is to use condoms every single time you have s.ex. That's the only way to ensure that you don't catch anything before you're ready to start your family. The thing about these infections is that its possible to have them for years without knowing because the symptoms can be very mild, or may be severe for a short while than disappear for years during which, your tubes are slowly getting blocked.

Blocked tubes are the No. 1 cause of infertility in Nigeria and pelvic inflammatory disease is the No. 1 cause of blocked tubes. If you suspect that you have a pelvic infection (symptoms include lower abdominal pain, pain during intercourse or a foul-smelling vag.inal discharge), you need to get it treated fast and aggressively; preferably by a gynaecologist. Don't think that because the symptoms have stopped that the infection is over because it probably isn't. Get treated now, you don't want to find out years later when you are trying to get pregnant!

The assumption that every woman with blocked tube is as result of previous infection before or after marriage is what is responsible for the silence of people with similiar issues. Most women whose infertility is as a result of tubal occlusion will never speak up in this part of the world because there people who just assume you probably had an STD before or after marriage. Its very obvious you didn't read my post very well otherwise you won't even be telling me how expensive IVF is before jumping to your conclusions on the use of condoms and stuff like that. This thread is all about women who have similiar problem and how they were able to scale through it either with IVF or natural conceptions so please start another thread on STDs and the use of condoms. Thanks for understanding.

Evil Brain:

This is Nigeria and most of our people are poor so compromises have to be made to keep medical care affordable. Plus its very difficult/expensive to get decent quality instruments here which is why you see so many old ones. As long as they don't harm the patient, there's nothing wrong with using old instruments. You should be more concerned about how/whether the instruments are sterilized rather than if they are rusty. HIV is no joke.

You are very right to claim the essential point is the sterilisation of the instruments, Evil Brain.
Old instruments are one thing, but rust?

Rust2000:

The assumption that every woman with blocked tube is as result of previous infection before or after marriage is what is responsible for the silence of people with similiar issues. , This thread is all about women who have similiar problem and how they were able to scale through it either with IVF or natural conceptions so please start another thread on STDs and the use of condoms. Thanks for understanding.

Rust, often those infections are caused by young women who haven't had sexual activity with a man.
Simply not changing tampax or sanitary towels often enough, dirty panties or trousers or too tight trousers can be enough to start this cycle of infections with such terrible results.
And yes, it's that masturbating without having washed yours hands before can be a cause of pelvic infections, too.

The point I'm trying to make here is that a lot of people read these threads and advice given here can help many, even though they haven't posted up a question. I think every post here has been principally about pelvic infections and how they can lead to obstructed tubes.
Condoms have been talked about because they help prevent feminine infections as well as STDs.
Pelvic infections are a real problem and the better they're understood, better for us all.

My point exactly. PIDs or hydrosalpx can be caused by anything even soaps used to clean up or wash your underwears can cause irritation leading to so many other complications. So his advertising of condoms here, and also advise that in order to avoid this kind of problem in the future is the use of condoms is what i really don't buy. Why are people are always quick to judge women with blocked tubes? What gives evil brain the impression that with condoms, you are 100% guaranteed of freedom of STDs and other irritations? It only means he hasn't done his research very well.

Rust2000:

My point exactly. PIDs or hydrosalpx can be caused by anything even soaps used to clean up or wash your underwears can cause irritation leading to so many other complications. So his advertising of condoms here, and also advise that in order to avoid this kind of problem in the future is the use of condoms is what i really don't buy. Why are people are always quick to judge women with blocked tubes? What gives evil brain the impression that with condoms, you are 100% guaranteed of freedom of STDs and other irritations? It only means he hasn't done his research very well.

You've got the wrong idea, I'm not judging you in any way. Even if you got the infection from premarital s.ex, you still haven't done anything that all of us, including myself haven't done. I'm not pretending to be a pastor or a saint. In any case, I never said that unprotected s.ex was the only way to get blocked tubes. My point is that most common cause of blocked tubes is long-standing pelvic inflammatory disease, usually from STIs. Obviously, I don't know much about your personal situation but the fact is that this problem would be far less common if all young women used condoms regularly, hence my preaching.

No offence intended please, I'm just trying to educate those who don't know.

N.B. Believe me when I say that I've done my research very well and condoms are very, very effective when used consistently. Nothing is perfect of course, but 95% is pretty dam.n close. Unfortunately, it doesn't fit into the pretentious born-again idea of "moral values" since it allows people to have s.ex without consequence so some people are determined to give it a bad name. Don't let anybody fool you though, condoms work!

Please do not think of removing you're tube because there ways you can reopen you're tubes and they function properly. Try herbal medication because it has no side effects and there readily available in all herbal centers around Nigeria.

Rust, I think you may have missed Evil Brain's point- it's about preventing pelvic infections.
My point about hand washing before sex, both in company or solitary, is for the same reason.
Morality has nothing to do with condoms or washing your hands.
Avoiding pelvic infections is the priority here!

nsodo- This is very interesting.
Could you post up the studies which show these herbal remedies are effective?

@ Rust2000

l went to see my today with the result of my hsg which showed one blocked tube, he said l should come two-three days after my period for flushing. it means blocked tube can be flushed by an experience gynea. when l do it, i will get u updated.

blocked tubes can be flushed after ttc for 2yrs after a lost of 5months in oct 2009 .it was discovered thru hydrosonogram on 26th july 2011 that i had one blocked and one partially blocked and the tubes were flushed. the goodnews i got my bfp on 29th August 2011.

pls enliten me how does one test 4 pelvic infection.after going thru d post i feel gulity cos i have add sex 4 a couple of time without condom.i know d high vaginal swap is there any other test to be done.

You have to go to a doctor for that sort of testing.

Ifyemma:

blocked tubes can be flushed after ttc for 2yrs after a lost of 5months in oct 2009 .it was discovered thru hydrosonogram on 26th july 2011 that i had one blocked and one partially blocked and the tubes were flushed. the goodnews i got my bfp on 29th August 2011.

Was the flusing painful? hope it wont be as bad as my hsg experience - its something l dont wish to remember can you give any tip to make it pain-free. l got to know later l shd have taken pain-killer before the hsg. my tubal flushing is this week.

Been so busy thinking about my probs that I never bothered to check NL for a while. Didn't know more reply had entered this thread. Very excited to know I'm not alone on this. Is HSG different from flushing? A friend of mine actually mentioned this flushing stuff but was too impatient to listen to the procedure cos i tot she was refering to HSG without knowing it. Anyways, Udoka please let me know if ur flushing turns out successful and the center where you did it. That's about the only thing I haven't tried yet. Although I don't know if its different from sono HT (Did that in Omni with 150k and still no result).

Ifyemma:

blocked tubes can be flushed after ttc for 2yrs after a lost of 5months in oct 2009 .it was discovered thru hydrosonogram on 26th july 2011 that i had one blocked and one partially blocked and the tubes were flushed. the goodnews i got my bfp on 29th August 2011.

Congrats, very happy for you. Where was the flushing done? Pls send me an email on ruonar2000@yahoo.com. I need more info on this flushing stuff, I'm really excited now cos it seems there's hope for me. Thank you my sister for speaking up, u made my day!

ALL,
I did the flushing yesterday, the procedure is exactly like that of HSG. something like water was injected to flush out the tube. I didnt feel pain but my stomach was too tender to touch after about 2hrs till this morning. But l am doing better now. l trust God He will perfect all that concerns me!

Kudos!!! I won't mind trying it out, where did you do it and how much does it cost. My gynae saw my recent HSG and said its just a partial blockage as in, the dye actually flowed to the end of the tubes and spilled but with small ballons at the tip. So there's hope of it opening if flushed. The prisms cosultant's reprt said few perifimbral adhesions so I think God is already answering my prayers so hopefully either ivf or natural conception should work for me this time around by God's grace cos the hydrosalpinx stuff has dried up. (Though I've been on some local herbs of late, ) Thanks for alll your prayers, God will surely see us through this!!!

Rust2000:

Kudos!!! I won't mind trying it out, where did you do it and how much does it cost. My gynae saw my recent HSG and said its just a partial blockage as in, the dye actually flowed to the end of the tubes and spilled but with small ballons at the tip. So there's hope of it opening if flushed. The prisms cosultant's reprt said few perifimbral adhesions so I think God is already answering my prayers so hopefully either ivf or natural conception should work for me this time around by God's grace cos the hydrosalpinx stuff has dried up. (Though I've been on some local herbs of late, ) Thanks for alll your prayers, God will surely see us through this!!!
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My Gynea works with govt hospital, but has a private hospital at sabo, yaba. it cost me 30k

Udoka thanks, its really not an expensive procedure, I did mine some days back and also waiting for results, I pray it works! My gynae (who never believed it works) told me yesterday that quite a lot of patients are coming up with positive results after flushing. So my advice to all those trying to conceive with blocked tubes and unexplained infertility is to try it out. It doesn't kill and its inexpensive, so give it a try, you just might be lucky. Just remember to take your antibiotics after the procedure and share your success stories with us to keep hope alive. I'm happy I brought this problem to nairaland cos I would never have thought of it.