Tubal damage may stop the ability of the tubes to pick up the eggs, prevent the sperm from reaching the egg and transport the embryos. This will reduce the chances to achieve a pregnancy or prevent this from occurring, depending on how severe the tubal damage is.

Common causes of tubal damage include endometriosis, hydrosalpinx (fluid filled Fallopian tube), infections, scars from previous surgeries. Sometimes the reason is unknown. In some cases the tubes have been surgically removed (salpingectomy) due to a tumor or a previous ectopic pregnancy.

The blockage of the tubes is a relevant pathology leading to infertility. If only one tube is blocked we will consider this a subfertility condition as the tube will be unable to properly pick up and transport the egg when ovulation occurs from its side.

A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is the most common method to detect tubal blockages.

The normal anatomy of the uterus can be studied by ultrasound, Histerosalpingography, laparoscopy and hysteroscopy.

On occasions, there may be structural defects, biochemical or functional oocytes that reduce their ability to be fertilized.