Getting Pregnant with a Blocked Fallopian Tube
By Dr (TCM) Attilio D'Alberto | Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner, Wokingham
Having one blocked fallopian tube does not mean you cannot conceive naturally. The other tube — if patent and functioning normally — is sufficient for conception in most cases, provided ovulation is occurring from the corresponding ovary. Women with one blocked tube have a natural conception rate of approximately 50% of normal within six to twelve months of trying. In traditional Chinese medicine, tubular blockage reflects blood stasis and phlegm-dampness obstructing the fallopian tubes — patterns that are amenable to herbal and acupuncture treatment.
TCM Treatment for Tubal Health
Research has shown that Chinese herbal medicine can improve tubal patency in cases of mild obstruction due to inflammation, adhesions, or infection-related damage. A systematic review found that oral Chinese herbal medicine combined with external herbal application significantly improved fallopian tube patency compared to conventional treatment alone. Blood-moving formulas including modified Gui Zhi Fu Ling Wan and Ge Xia Zhu Yu Tang address pelvic blood stasis and inflammation. Acupuncture improves pelvic circulation and reduces the inflammatory environment that sustains tubal obstruction. I prescribe pharmaceutical-grade granules from Sun Ten in Taiwan.
Practical Considerations
Maximising ovulation from the side of the patent tube — if this can be identified — through timed intercourse with ovulation monitoring is a practical strategy. A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) or HyCoSy ultrasound confirms which tube is blocked and which is patent. For women with bilateral tubal blockage, IVF bypasses the tubes entirely — but TCM pre-treatment still improves egg quality and endometrial receptivity for the IVF cycle.
To discuss tubal health and fertility, contact me or book a consultation in Wokingham.
