Blocked fallopian tubes are responsible for about 40 per cent of the infertility cases in women. Fallopian tubes are two thin tubes, one on each side of the uterus, which help lead the mature egg from the ovaries to the uterus.

The causes of tubal blockage include adhesions, infections, pelvic inflammatory disease, scar tissue, endometriosis, damaged tube ends, damaged fimbria or damage to the lumen (lining of the tube).

Surgery is therefore needed to try to correct this common cause of infertility. The specific type of surgery, however, will depend on the location and extent of the fallopian tube blockage.

Blockage removal methods include:

-Reversal of tubal ligation. This is also known as tubal reanastomosis and is a procedure usually done through an abdominal incision or laparotomy (a surgical procedure involving a large incision through the abdominal wall to gain access into the abdominal cavity). It is typically done to reverse a tubal ligation or to repair a portion of the fallopian tube damaged by disease. The blocked or diseased portion of the tube is removed, and the two healthy ends of the tube are then joined.

- Removal of part of fallopian tube. Also known as salpingectomy, this procedure is done to improve invitro fertilisation (IVF) success when a tube has developed a build-up of fluid (hydrosalpinx).

- Opening in the tube. Also known as salpingostomy, this procedure is done when the end of the fallopian tube is blocked by a build-up of fluid (hydrosalpinx). This procedure creates a new opening in the part of the tube closest to the ovary.

- Rebuilding of fringed ends of the tube. Known as fimbrioplasty, this may be done when the part of the tube closest to the ovary is partially blocked or has scar tissue, preventing normal egg pick-up.

- Herbal Medicine (Non-surgical procedure). When a tubal blockage occurs next to the uterus, traditional Chinese medicine is frequently used before decide to do a surgery. Fuyan Pill is well-known in China. If the extent of bloakage is not too serious, Fuyan Pill can unblock tubes within three months. Even if one have done surgery, Fuyan Pill helps to prevent herself from inflammation. It is an effective herbal medicine which has been proved.