Only early treatment of STDs will prevent tubal blockage – Gynaecologist

Dr. Kayode Obende, a Gynaecologist with Garki Hospital, Abuja, said an early and effective treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases was the only way to prevent tubal blockage or ligation.
Obende told the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday that tubal blockage was one of the major factors responsible for female infertility.
He said: “Every woman has two fallopian tubes that carry the eggs from the ovary to the uterus and it is inside the tube that the egg and the sperm meet.
“That is what we call fertilisation.
“If the tubes are blocked, it means the egg and sperm cannot meet.
“So natural conception is not possible, if both tubes are blocked.
“Many women will not even know that they have tubal blockage.
“The only thing is that they have been married and been having intercourse with their husband but no pregnancy.”
Obende said when a woman has had an infection that was not well treated, it could cause serious infection called pelvic inflammatory disease.
Obende said another common cause of tubal blockage was abortion.
He said it could occur after miscarriage, termination of pregnancy, puerperal sepsis, or insertion of an intrauterine contraceptive device.
He advised women to “go to the hospital early enough, not only going but the infection must be treated properly”.
He noted that some women went to patent medicine dealers and they gave them drugs for two or three days, which he said should be avoided.
“Immediately the pain stops, they think they are better not knowing that the damage will continue inside and at the end of the day, the person will end up with blocked tube,” he said.
The doctor explained that there are three types of blockage namely: mild, moderate and severe.
Obende said for mild blockage, the woman could be treated by going through surgical operation.
He added that for moderate and severe cases, operation might not really do much but the person should opt for In Vitro Fertilisation.
Obende said the health implication for tubal blockage would involve not having children, which could lead to depression.
He added: “It is said that prevention is better than cure.
“People should endeavour to prevent unsafe sexual practises.”