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Hmmm....I have yet to find someone with only one hydrosalpinx who was able to conceive normally. Not a good sign I think. :-[ Still keeping my fingers crossed. I've found some sites that say the presence of a hydrosalpinx can lengthen normal conception time to 12-18 months.

My doctor would like me to try taking Clomid for 3 cycles before exploring anything invasive. Have any of you hydro gals tried that before removal of the hydro or IVF/IUI? Just curious.

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Hey, I just had a right hydro removed during a recent lap. (In my case it was due to a congenital defect - the fimbria portion of the right tube, though normal (not closed), was not connected to the remaining portion, but the remainder was closed at the top and constantly filling with fluid). We had been trying to conceive for about 2 years with no luck. (Never been pregnant). My left tube is normal, so I'm hopeful that I can now conceive naturally. This article is quite promising:

http://humrep.oxfordj
ournals.org/cgi/content/full/18/12/2634

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Hi Kazata,

Do you know how large your hydro was on the HSG? Was the whole tube swollen, or just part of it?

My doctor said that my hydro was only 40% of the distal end (which seems like alot to me but she seemed optimistic about that) and that my right tube looked completely normal. So she suggested we continue trying for another couple months and then try Clomid for 3 months before deciding whether to remove the hydro. She seemed pretty positive that we should be able to conceive with it in place, although after reading so many stories on this and other sites I'm not sure where her optimism is coming from.

Anyway, good luck! I hope things work out for you now that the "enemy" is gone! :)

Praying4baby

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I don't know. I actually never had an HSG, because my hydro was large enough to be seen on ultrasound and we went straight to a lap at that point. The pictures of it (from the lap) look like a giant cyst though.

Looking back, I went to the ER twice for "ovarian cysts" which most likely were my hydro tube as well, as it was on the same side, and I remember the measurements the first time were something like 8 cm x 5 cm x 3cm, which seems kind of tube shaped, doesn't it?

Why is your doc suggesting clomid? Is it so that you will ovulate from both sides, so that you force an egg from the "good" side? Are you seeing an OB or an RE?

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I wonder if size has anything to do with the pain as well? I've never had any pain on the side with my hydro so maybe its not as large?? I know its just wishful thinking and all that probably matters is whether there is fluid in there or not. So any size hydro probably is not very good. Thinking about these things just occupies my time as we sit and wait.

My doctor (ob) suggested that we try Clomid for 3 months just so that we know for sure that I will have ovulated on my "good" side. I guess if we don't conceive then, there is a good chance that either the hydro is interfering or there is some damage/adhesions to the other tube in which case I'm sure a lap procedure will have to be done and I'll have to see an RE. But I'm still hoping and praying for the best!

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Yeah, I don't really know whether size matters. To a certain extent it seems like it might, but then again, they don't really seem to know why hydro's make pg. less likely (whether the fluid is "flushing" out the embryo, or whether the fluid is toxic to embryos, etc., there are many theories, but they don't seem to know for sure). I thought that there were some early studies that indicated that those with hydros large enough to be seen on ultrasound benefitted more from removal of the tube, but those also said those that had bilateral hydro's benefitted more, and later studies seemed to counter that, so I just don't know.

How long have you been TTC? My RE will be monitoring me by ultrasound initially (to see what side I am ovulating on) and then if I don't ovulate from the left (good side), I might try clomid to get me to ovulate on both sides. I'd rather try it naturally though, you know? Since clomid can have other side effects as well, and it seems that as long as I ovulate on the left sometimes, I should be okay. Have you had any ultrasounds done? (I'm curious whether they can see the hydro on u/s - though I had some u/s where it must have just emptied b/c they were normal). Would your doc be willing to monitor you by u/s to see where you are ovulating?

I understand the hesitation - I was thoroughly convinced that I did NOT want to get my tube removed - it seems so drastic and the idea took a lot of getting used to. But I finally realized that there was no way that tube was helping me (as it is sealed off and no egg could get through) and it might be harming me (not letting eggs from the other side implant). I actually feel like I *could* get pregnant now, which I haven't felt like in a long time, so I feel like it was a good thing to get the hydro removed. Just sharing my experience in hopes that it might help you figure out your feelings about this. Maybe you could get a second opinon?

I hope it works out for you.

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Oh, I just remembered that my RE gave me a study about patients with a one-sided hydro that had repeat miscarriages and that removing the hydro helped reduce the m/c's, so obviously, you *can* get pg with one hydro and one normal tube. (though I guess the hydro can also make m/c more likely).

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Thanks for all the info kazata! I really appreciate your advice. We've been trying to TTC for 8 months so assuming only my left tube is functional, and that my ovulation pain correlates to which side the follicle is developing on, I've only ovulated 3 times since we've started trying. I've read about the increase in m/c as well, which also doesn't make me feel very good. My husband and I have talked about getting a second opinion, but we decided to wait until we had officially been trying for a year before looking for a RE. Our insurance doesn't pay for any fertility sugery or treatments so we're really hoping it doesn't come down to that.

I'm not sure if my OB would monitor my ovulation by u/s, but thats a great idea. I may inquire about that next month. I've never had a u/s before, so I don't know if my hydro would be seen by that method.

I completely understand trying naturally though. It would stand to reason that the other tube should be just fine and all it might take is a little extra time to conceive. I wish you all the luck in the world!

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Thanks for the well wishes.

I completely understand about the insurance issue - that is actually a big reason why we waited so long for me to have my lap. Just an FYI, I've heard from lots of other people that had laps that their insurance did cover it because it was coded for something other than fertility (for instance if you have painful periods - they can check for endo., or if you have pelvic pain, etc.) Check with your doctor if you want to go the lap route - they can usually try to pre-authorize the procedure, so you can find out beforehand whether your insurance will cover it and perhaps you can see if there is a chance it could be coded differently, depending on any other symptoms you may have.

Good luck to you too!

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Just wanted to come back and update - three months after my surgery to remove my right fallopian tube (and over 2 years of ttc), I am pregnant. Incredibly, I had an ultrasound this month that showed I was ovulating from the right ovary (the side they removed the tube from), so not only is it possible to get pregnant after removal of a tube, but you can get pregnant from an egg released from the opposite ovary of the remaining tube. It took me a long time to come to grips with removing my right tube - but it looks like it was the right decision and it may have been stopping me from getting pregnant before!

Good luck!

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Kazata that is great news!!!!! I'm so happy to hear that things worked out for you. My husband and I decided to see an RE next month to discuss removal of my tube (12 month anniversary of ttc). I hope I'm as successful as you afterwards! Congratulations again! ;D

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I just stumbled onto this post which may be old, but I just wanted to quickly add that I had a laproscopy in 2004 that showed one hydro. We tried an IUI later that year which didn't work with clomid also. I might add that we gave up on another IUI because my husband SA was zero, he had been ill. Three months later we conceived naturally?

Now we are TTC#2, one year later and still no luck. I had a HSG and found out I had mild hydro's both sides but both tubes were clear. So we will see I guess. I am going to go to a new RE and see what the options are and what the likelyhood of conceiving another is with two mild hydros?

Just thought some people may be interested in my little story.

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Hi Sunny72!

Glad to hear from someone else who has a hydro. There don't seem to be that many women on this site who have them. And I'm VERY happy to hear that you were able to conceive naturally with one hydro in place. If you don't mind, I would like to ask some questions about your experiences.

1. Did you remove or repair the one hydro tube during your lap in 2002?
2. Do you know how large your hydro was?
2. Did your RE offer any explanation about why you now have 2 hydros?

I have one tube that is a hydro and my RE has scheduled me for surgery to either fix it or take it out. I'm hoping it'll be clear sailing after that :)

Thanks!

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Hi Praying4Baby,

Yes alas I am part of the hydro group. I had never heard of these hydro things until recently. . I should answer your questions.

1. Did you remove or repair the one hydro tube during your lap in 2002?

No. She just when in to take a look because I was having discomfort and infertility. No repairs were done. I started to focus on trying to conceive on my good side. My gynocologist who performed the operation just told me that one of my tubes appeared clubbed. She didn't mention the size or the seriousness of the condition. It appeared that the tube was not patent at that time.

2. Do you know how large your hydro was? she didn't mention it that I recall. I plan on getting my official medical records from that time so I can compare and analyze.

3. Did your RE offer any explanation about why you now have 2 hydros?
I don't have an RE this time around yet. New location, new doctors. I was told in '04 that the "clubbed" condition could spread so I should work on having a baby as soon as possible. However this time, the doctor described them as mild and both tubes are patent. The dye flowed freely from both.??

After my hubby does his SA test this week, I will schedule a new RE visit and see if I can find out more. I will definately let you know what I find out. I am curiously as to whether I have any fimbria? how they determine the severity and well, I just have a lot of questions for them.

I plan on kind of retracing my steps. I will ask if I could go on Clomid and see what happens. I am worried now though that both sides are affected. It doesn't sound like good news to me.

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Hi Sunny,

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions! I'm always looking for more information from other people who also have this dreaded hydrosalpinx. My doctor thinks my hydro occurred after an appendectomy that I had almost 18 years ago at which time a ruptured ovarin cyst was also cauterized and sutured (no actual appendicitis). I'm schedueld to have my hydro either fixed or removed later this month and then will hope for the best after that :)

I hope that you continue to post on this site, hopefully it will encourage others to also share their stories! Good luck with your husbands SA and doctors visit!

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Hi again. That is my confusion about Hydrosalpinx. Not to embarrase others or judge, but they say a lot of hydros are a result of STD's etc.. I have never had one that I know of and I can't imagine how that could of happened to me personally. So I don't know how I would have had a PID? I would like to know more about it.

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I know, what you mean, its a touchy subject, but you're right about STD's being a major cause of hydros. But my RE said he has also seen alot of women who have a hydro due to endometriosis or previous abdominal surgery and their other tube is fine. But its probably tough to say for certain what the cause of it is unless you know for sure that you were infected at some point in your life since alot of women don't show any symptoms of STD's like chlamydia.

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Hey praying4baby or others. For years I have had constant pelvic discomfort. I originally had my laproscopy to rule out endometriosis. They didn't find any. During ovulation and obviously before menstruating I am varying degrees of pain. I have pretty much two weeks of discomfort. I base this on asking friends and family and they say it doesn't sound normal to them. I am wondering if the hydro condition could be the cause of part of the cause. Do you have a similar situation.

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I usually have ovulation pain (mittelschmerz I think they call it) when I ovulate on my left side (no pain on my right side with the hydro) and sometimes I might have some mild cramping on the day of ovulation. But from what my doc says, that is normal. Other than that, I may have cramping a couple days preceeding menstruation, but its pretty mild and not constant. I'm sorry to hear that you're in constant pain for 2 weeks! I have heard of some women with large hydros experiencing pain bad enough to visit the ER but I thought that was more of a sudden onset of pain localized to one side. Have you told your doctor about this? Maybe you have adhesions from your hydros which may be connected to your bowel or other organs? I would definitely ask your doctor about it. No one should have to be in pain for 2 weeks every month!

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hi
i was just recently diagnosed with a hydro on my left side. prior to finding this out i was preparing for a tubal reversal in march of 2007. i would like to find out about the rate of a successful pregnancy if anyone knows.

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Hi Gold,

The only pregnancy rate information that I can find is based on IVF results, for instance:

It has been shown that implantation rate is markedly reduced (about 50%), and the miscarriage rate is increased. These effects substantially reduced the pregnancy and take-home baby rates.

:( >:( ??? :-[ :'(

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Hi Everyone,

I am a new member of this group (hydro) I am 34 had one miscarriage last January and just last friday my HSG show that I my tubes are hydro. I am very scared because I have not heard any success story about who had a baby with this condition. my DH and I had been trying for a year since the the m/c. Anyway any kind of advise would help. Thanks.

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I too was diagnosed with hydro - both sides. However, my right tube is in worse condition. I'm very concerned with this diagnosis. My DH and I have been TTC for two years. During these two years, I've had trans vag ultrasounds, regular ultrasounds, and a HSG. I was never told about this. My HSG came out normal or as the doctor said "All Clear." Now, after a lap I'm told I have hydro...it doesn't look good. I have never had an STD. However, I did have a ruptured appendix when I was 9. My doc said that this, along with the surgery that was necessary, is what caused the hydro. I'm torn apart. This is so difficult. At this point I refuse to remove my tubes. My doctor said my only option is to remove both and go through IVF....

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Hi Orchard,

I am so sorry to hear that. I know your struggles. You may not need to get rid of your tubes to do IVF. My RE said that during the ER he would prick my tubes with the needle to release the fluid and if the pregnancy is successful then there is no need to worry if the fluid will come back because it won't.

so what you are saying is the did the lap and did not do anything with your tubes at all? I am finding more success stories of pregnancies with women who had hydrosalpinx tubes. IVF is our only option. with if you look at it from a different angle is not so bad. ok so the tubes are need to carry the eggs so as long as you can produce quality eggs you should be fine. How old are you if you don't mind.

Get yourself a new RE and a second opinion. There is hope for me and there is hope for you.

Tia

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Hi Tia,

thank you very much for the response. Unlike you, I have not found any successful stories...can you share the sites with me?

You mentioned that your RE will prick your tubes to remove the liquid...so will you and your DH attempt to conceive narurally or will you go through IVF soon after the lap? I think that this is a great step to take before removal of the tubes. Please keep me updated...I would love to hear that you succeeded and crossed this barrier. This will most definitely give me hope.

I don't mind you asking my age; I'm 26 and hoping that some day I'll have a baby in my arms.

thanks!

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Hi Orchard,

I was told that my hydro are not that big and I do not need to remove my tubes. That is think is very drastic so if i were you would get a second opinion.

I was told my only option is IVF. I would not be doing a lap. I actully found out that my tubes are blocked after my HSG exam. so my RE explained that on the day of the egg removal which they use a tiny object to do that. he would also prick the tubes to release the fluid after they remove the eggs in the same procedure. and then 3 days later will be egg transplant. if and when i do become pregnant the fluid does not come back.

Fluid is formed every month from the secretion in the tubes when you ovilate ours stays because our tubes have blockage.

You do not need a lap to do egg removal that was the old way to egg removal ( i have been doing my research) read upon IVF you will find great info.

You are 26 you are at a age where you produce great quality eggs and lots of them :)
I am 34 I am close to the end of producing a lot of eggs my eggs are still quality at this age, but hey i am close to late 30's.

There is so much hope for you. once you accept that you will not be able to get pregnant the old fashion way then you will be fine. IVF is our only hope like so many women, but like so many women even on this forum they have gone through IVF and was able to get pregnant. Believe me do the research you will be fine. I know it is hard to go through but YOU WILL BE A MOM. The good thing is you are still very young.

my success stories came from other site can't really remember, and also my re had a few patient with the same issue and were successful as well. what we have is not the worse thing. if everthing else works IVF IS THE BEST THING.

again, get a second opinion. Also you may want to pick up this book called "The infertility survival handbook" by Elizabeth Swire Falker.

Baby Dust

Tia

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Hi Orchard, I am also new here. I have a son through a natural pregnancy, he was born in 2003 we started trying again in 2004 and I was Finally pregnant in may of 2006. Turned out to be an ectopic pregnancy in my right tube, I was actually taken by ambulance and had the tube removed. It was the most pain I have ever had!! My doctor told me that the other tube was also blocked with a hydrosalphinx, I was so devastated and cried for so long!! I went straight for IVF. My IVF doctor told me to remove the other tube for a better chance of success, well I did not want to be "tubeless" so I thought I'd go for it and leave the tube in. My Ivf did not work because the hydro leaked into my uterus killing my embryos. I had my second tube removed in December and am on my second cycle of IVF. I'm praying this one works, I just want to put these fertility issues behind and start moving on!!!!

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Hi Jamielee,

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I too have hydrosalpinx mostly in my left tube and a little in my right. My RE told me I did not need to have my tubes removed, i am not sure if it was because he said that my hydros are small. anyway as I mentioned above he is going to release the fluid on the day of ER. I asked dr jacobs on the medical board and he said the fluid will not return if i get pregnant on that cycle. Because that is my fear that the fluid would leak back into the uterus and cause a m/c. Anyway, questions, how large was your hydro in your left tube. and did they try releasing the fluid on the first try?

I do hope this cycle is successful for you. :) I will be doing my day 2 b/w tomorrow and I see my doctor on March 7th the we go from there.

What was your experience like with the first cycle I have heard so many scary stories. :o

Tia

baby dust to all

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Hi Tia,
Well I'm not sure exactly how big it was but I know that the doctor said there was fluid going into my uterus which was enough for me.
I actually never heard of the releasing of the fluid, I just figure why even risk it at this point, my tubes are doing me no good inside!! My first IVF wasn't bad at all actually it was pretty easy believe it or not. Its just emotionally draining, its even easier this time around because I know what to expect!! I think it helps knowing that there is a possible pregnancy at the end of it all!! I'll keep you posted I start my stims tommorrow..........

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Hi Jamielee,

Thanks for sharing. I do understand about the fluid I am still nervous about it. but Dr. Jacobs on this forum knew about the procedure so I felt more comfortable with the idea. this cycle should go well for you.

keep us posted. Baby Dust To All.

Tia

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Tia,
Thank you so much for the well wishes, I hope the same for you!
I don't think that the doctor would suggest this procedure if it was not successful for other women, so try not to worry to much!!

Jamie

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