If you've been trying to conceive for a while without success, blocked fallopian tubes may be part of the picture. It's one of the more common causes of fertility difficulties in women — and it's also one of the least obvious, because many people who have it don't feel any symptoms at all.

This article walks you through what fallopian tubes actually do, what can block them, how to find out if yours are affected, and what your options are.

What are fallopian tubes and what do they do?

Your fallopian tubes are two narrow passages that connect your ovaries to your womb. When you ovulate, a released egg travels down one of these tubes toward the uterus. Sperm swim up from the cervix to meet the egg somewhere in that tube. Fertilisation usually happens there.

If a tube is blocked, that journey can't happen. The egg and sperm can't meet, and conception isn't possible through that tube. If both tubes are blocked, natural conception becomes very difficult.

Blocked fallopian tube symptoms

The condition is often only discovered during fertility investigations after a couple has been trying to conceive for some time. That said, some types of blockage or underlying causes can produce noticeable signs. These may include:

• Persistent pelvic or lower abdominal pain

• Painful periods

• Pain during sex

• Unusual vaginal discharge

These symptoms are not specific to fallopian tube problems — they can also be signs of other conditions like endometriosis or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which can themselves lead to blockages. If you're experiencing any of these consistently, it's worth talking to your GP.

One important thing to know: if you have a partially blocked tube, there's a higher risk of an ectopic pregnancy. This is where a fertilised egg implants inside the tube rather than travelling through to the womb.³ Ectopic pregnancies are serious and need urgent medical attention.

What causes a blocked fallopian tube?

Several things can lead to a blockage. Most involve some kind of scarring or damage to the tube.

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)

PID is an infection of the upper female reproductive system, including the fallopian tubes. It's often caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI), most commonly chlamydia.¹ If PID is left untreated, it can cause significant scarring inside the tubes, making it very difficult for eggs to pass through.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the womb lining grows outside the womb, sometimes in or around the fallopian tubes. This can damage the tubes and affect their ability to function.¹

Previous pelvic surgery

Surgery on or near the reproductive organs — including surgery to remove an ectopic pregnancy — can leave behind scar tissue (adhesions) that may block the tubes.¹ Sterilisation also works by deliberately blocking the tubes, and reversal is not always successful.¹

Fibroids

Non-cancerous growths called fibroids can sometimes press against or block a fallopian tube, though this is less common than the other causes.¹

How to know if your fallopian tube is blocked

Because blocked fallopian tubes usually don't cause obvious symptoms, the only way to know for sure is through medical testing. Your GP is the right starting point.

The NHS recommends you see your GP if you've been trying to conceive for a year without success (or sooner if you're 36 or over, or if you have reason to suspect an STI or another fertility-related condition).²

Tests your doctor may use

Ultrasound scan An ultrasound can sometimes suggest a possible blockage. If something looks unusual, your doctor will refer you to a specialist for more specific tests.²

Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) This is an X-ray where a special dye is injected into the womb. The dye travels through the fallopian tubes, and if there's a blockage, the dye can't pass through — making it visible on the X-ray.²

Hysterosalpingo-contrast-ultrasonography (HyCoSy) A special ultrasound scan where a small amount of fluid is injected through the cervix. The scan tracks how the fluid moves through the tubes to check for blockages.²

Laparoscopy Keyhole surgery under general anaesthetic. A small camera is inserted to directly examine the tubes, and dye may be injected to identify blockages. This is generally used when a blockage is already suspected from other tests or medical history.²

Treatments options available in the UK for blocked fallopian tubes

Treatment depends on where the blockage is, how extensive it is, and your overall health and fertility picture. In the UK, your starting point is your GP, who can refer you for further tests and specialist care. There are broadly two routes: surgical treatment and assisted conception.

Surgery

If the blockage is caused by scar tissue, surgery may be used to break up the adhesions and allow eggs to pass through more easily.⁵ The success of surgery depends on how much damage the tubes have sustained. Your specialist will discuss whether you're a suitable candidate.

One thing to be aware of: tubal surgery carries a small but real risk of ectopic pregnancy afterward. This happens because a repaired tube may not function perfectly — the egg can get stuck rather than completing the journey to the womb.⁵

Fallopian tube recanalisation is a procedure sometimes used for blockages close to the womb entrance. A thin catheter and guidewire are passed through the tube to try to clear the obstruction. This is available through some NHS trusts and is typically performed under X-ray or ultrasound guidance.⁴

If you are referred to an NHS specialist for investigation, the NHS will cover the cost of that referral. All patients have the right to be referred to an NHS clinic for initial investigation.⁵

IVF 

If surgery is not appropriate or hasn't worked, IVF is often the recommended next step. In IVF, eggs are collected directly from the ovaries and fertilised in a lab — so the fallopian tubes aren't needed at all.⁵

Whether you qualify for NHS-funded IVF depends on your clinical situation and your local Integrated Care Board (ICB). Eligibility criteria and waiting times vary across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.⁵ Your GP can advise on your local criteria, or you can contact your ICB directly.

Going private

If NHS waiting times are a concern or you don't meet local eligibility criteria, private treatment is an option. Costs vary between clinics. If you go private, make sure the clinic is licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) — the UK government body that regulates all fertility clinics in the country. You can search for licensed clinics on the HFEA website.⁵

Is it possible to conceive with one blocked tube?

Because it isn't fully predictable which ovary releases an egg each month, having one blocked tube means some cycles the egg may come from the side with the open tube, and some cycles it may not. This can make conception take longer, but it doesn't rule it out

It's still worth speaking to your GP or a fertility specialist to understand your individual situation, because the health of the open tube and your overall fertility picture both matter here.

How the twoplus Applicator helps couples with their conception journey

Blocked fallopian tubes are a structural challenge — and for many couples, that will require medical treatment. But if you've had one tube cleared, surgery has been successful, or your specialist has confirmed at least one healthy tube, timing and sperm delivery can still make a meaningful difference.

Trying to conceive can quickly start to feel like a chore. Timed sex, misaligned schedules, and even performance pressure often add up. The twoplus Applicator Extra takes that pressure off, so every fertile window becomes an opportunity again, not an obligation.

The twoplus Applicator Extra is a self-assisted artificial insemination kit that can be used from the comfort of your home. In just 3 simple steps, the Applicator Extra helps deposit sperm close to the cervix, giving nature a helping hand.

• No medical help or clinic visit needed

• Deposits semen close to the cervix, giving sperm a more direct path

• Designed for comfort with soft tip made of 100% medical grade silicone 

• Make your fertile window count

• Affordable alternative to try now: 3 steps. 15 minutes

Frequently asked questions

1. Can a blocked fallopian tube clear on its own?
   In some cases, a blockage caused by mucus or a minor obstruction may resolve naturally. However, blockages caused by scar tissue from infections, endometriosis, or surgery will not clear on their own and require medical assessment.

2. What's the difference between a blocked tube and a damaged tube?
   A blocked tube is physically obstructed, so nothing can pass through. A damaged tube may be open but the internal lining is impaired — meaning the egg can't travel properly or may not be fertilised effectively. Both can affect fertility.

Sources

1. NHS — Causes of infertility

2. NHS — Diagnosis of infertility

3. NHS — Ectopic pregnancy

4. Fallopian tube recanalisation 

5. NHS — Treatment for infertility