Non-Surgical Treatment for Hydrosalpinx and Blocked Fallopian Tubes

Published studies show tubes opened with full-term pregnancies

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Hydrosalpinx is a collection of watery fluid within the fallopian tube, usually as a result of damage at the distal (far) end of the tube, near the ovary. Just as your knee might swell when it is damaged or inflamed, the fluid pools in the damaged tube causing it to swell or dilate, as a natural part of healing from inflammation. In most cases, a hydrosalpinx indicates that the fallopian tube is totally blocked at the far end. There, the delicate flower petal-like fimbriae which are designed to grasp the egg as it exits the ovary become adhered or clubbed together, closing the tube completely.

Hydrosalpinx (plural = hydrosalpinges) may form as the result of a prior infection (e.g. chlamydia or other sexually transmitted disease) within the pelvic region. Abortion, intrauterine devices (IUD), endometriosis, abdominal surgery and even childbirth may play a role in hydrosalpinx formation. Whereas some women with a hydrosalpinx display no symptoms, many suffer from severe, chronic pain.

Infertility and Hydrosalpinx

Hydrosalpinx is a serious threat to fertility. It not only renders the affected tube(s) totally ineffective, it may also lessen the effectiveness of various infertility treatments (e.g. in vitro fertilization [IVF]). Hydrosalpinx also increases the likelihood of miscarriage. Fluid from a tube which spills into the uterus is considered to be toxic to embryos; thus it decreases the chance for successful embryo implantation. For this reason, fertility specialists often advise patients to have the affected tube(s) removed prior to undergoing IVF. Moreover, a hydrosalpinx in one tube often affects the other, resulting in two abnormal tubes.

Diagnosing Hydrosalpinx

Diagnosis is made by ultrasound, hysterosalpingogram (HSG), laparoscopy or laparotomy (open surgery)

1. Ultrasound , which uses sound waves to image the fallopian tubes, is often the first choice for preliminary diagnosis. The procedure is usually done vaginally and is the safest and most comfortable of the three options.

2. An HSG (shown at right) involves inserting dye into the uterus through the cervix. The dye, visible in an X-ray, will show blockages of the fallopian tubes and any deformation of the tube, indicating a hydrosalpinx. Concerns with this method include the introduction of infection-causing bacteria (rare) and short-term moderate discomfort during the procedure. Women with totally blocked fallopian tubes sometimes report momentary severe pain, as the physician tries to open the tube with the dye. For this reason, many physicians suggest that patients take a valium or other palliative medication prior to HSG testing.

3. Laparoscopic surgery provides the most definitive diagnosis of hydrosalpinx, but it is also the most invasive of the three procedures. After placing the patient under general anesthesia, the surgeon makes a small abdominal incision and inserts gas to separate the abdominal and pelvic organs from each other. S/he will then insert a camera into the abdominal cavity to visualize the condition of the reproductive structures and their neighboring tissues. Since surgery and anesthesia entail greater risks to the patient, this technique is usually reserved for diagnosis with a planned treatment. Surgical treatment of hydrosalpinx may open a tube, but most reproductive endocrinologists consider a tube with a hydrosalpinx to be permanently damaged, decreasing the chance for a successful IVF and presenting an ongoing threat of ectopic pregnancy for the mother. More and more, surgeons tend to remove any tube that has a hydrosalpinx.

4. Laparotomy is defined by an open surgery, performed under general anesthesia. In this instance, the surgeon cuts deeply enough into the pelvic cavity to directly visualize and treat any areas that can benefit from his/her surgical skills. The surgeon may insert dye during laparotomy or laparoscopy, to test for tubal patency (open tube) or occlusion (blocked tube).

Treating Hydrosalpinx Surgically

Neosalpingostomy (surgery that incises the hydrosalpinx and leaves an opening in the tube) is another surgical option. The tube, however, often closes again enabling the hydrosalpinx to return. The most positive results are obtained with younger women and women with small hydrosalpinges. For others, the preferred treatment is usually total removal of the tube prior to IVF.

Treating Hydrosalpinx Non-Surgically (Clear Passage Therapies ®)

Clear Passage's non-surgical infertility treatment uses pelvic physical therapy to decrease the adhesions causing tubal damage and hydrosalpinx. Once mobility is restored, the previously blocked tube(s) often regains normal function, creating a free path for conception to occur.

This therapy has been shown to open tubes and return the ability to conceive naturally for women with hydrosalpinx (left)1 and blocked fallopian tubes (right)2 regardless of the location of the blockage. 1,2

Our initial success rates opening hydrosalpinges are very promising, and of interest to reproductive physicians and surgeons. Recently, Clear Passage Therapies was honored by the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) who invited us to present abstracts of three studies to their several thousand members. One of these study abstracts, published in Fertility and Sterility (9/06)¹ examines our ability to open totally blocked fallopian tubes, with subsequent natural pregnancies and births, in women with hydrosalpinx.

While the number of participants in this initial study was small, the results were considered pioneering, and important enough to publish in one of the most prestigious reproductive medicine journals in the world.

The abstract examined eight women who had confirmed bilateral tubal occlusion (diagnosed by hysterosalpingogram). Each also had the additional complication of hydrosalpinx. The women were then treated with the Clear Passage 20-hour protocol of pelvic physical therapy.

After therapy, 50% of the patients (4/8) had at least one tube with hydrosalpinx opened by the therapy and half of those became pregnant naturally from the tube that had hydrosalpinx before therapy. One of the participants has already had a second natural pregnancy and birth; another had a successful post-therapy IVF, followed by a post-therapy natural pregnancy and birth. We, and many physicians are very encouraged by these findings.

Wurn LJ, Wurn BF, Kan M, King CR, Roscow AS, Scharf ES. Treating hydrosalpinx with a manual physical therapy. Fertil Steril. 2006; 86 (Supp 2): S307. Abstract.
Wurn BF, Wurn LJ, King CR, Heuer MA, Roscow AS, Hornberger K, Scharf ES. Treating Fallopian Tube Occlusion with a Manual Pelvic Physical Therapy. Altern Ther Health Med. 2008 Jan-Feb;14(1):18-23. PMID 18251317.

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What physicians say:

Learn more about therapy to open and return function to blocked fallopian tubes and hydrosalpinx in our book Miracle Moms, Better Sex, Less Pain (publication date: 9/2009).

“The ‘Wurn Technique’ in my professional opinion, is a blockbuster breakthrough both for physicians and women who have known for so long that there was something better out there for treatment of infertility. The Wurns have published their work showing significant improvement in areas of infertility caused by endometriosis, fallopian tube occlusion, and hydrosalpinx. I am truly excited to learn about (this) therapy. I look forward to … taking your message and technique to a world so desperately in need of it.”
- Dr. Scott Miles
Board certified gynecologist and sexologist (25 years)
Medical Director, Miles Ahead Health and Wellness, Indianapolis, IN

“I am excited to see that you have studied and perfected a technique to treat adhesions, with years of experience, scientific 'backup' and case studies to prove it. This technique makes sense.”
- Leslie Mendoza Temple. MD
Medical Director, Integrative Medicine NorthShore University HealthSystem
Professor, Northwestern University Medical School

“Over the many years I have known Larry, we have shared many patients who had previously been told that they would never conceive naturally, had complete tubal obstruction, scarring or intractable pelvic pain. I have seen their work help all of these conditions, and more. Their therapy is beyond surgical intervention; it taps right into the body's inherent healing capacity. The Wurns are revolutionizing woman's health. Tried and proven, documented and studied again and again – the proof is in the results. There are children alive today who wouldn't be here without Clear Passage Therapies. I support and applaud this work.”
- Dr. Randine Lewis, L.Ac.
Founder, The Fertile Soul,
Author of The Infertility Cure and The Way of the Fertile Soul

“I don't know which is more amazing: the adventure of discovering the treatment, the published medical studies, or the dozens of 'Miracle Moms' who shared their stories of success with this 100% natural therapy."
- Gilli Moorhawk
Author of Miracle Babies, and Meditations and Positive Thoughts for Pregnancy & Birth

“In the past treatment for adhesions has been even more surgery, which caused even more adhesions. Now with the amazing ‘Clear Passage’ technique, patients have a safe and effective alternative to surgery. . . . I know it does work and recommend it to all my patients with adhesive disease.”
- Jacques Moritz, MD
Director of Endoscopy Section and Division of Gynecology,St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center
Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons