Can salpingitis lead to infertility?

Written by Zhang Lu
Obstetrics
Updated on May 15, 2025
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The fallopian tubes are an important component of the female reproductive system and play a crucial role in the process of pregnancy. First, the fallopian tubes are the site where sperm and eggs meet to form a fertilized egg. Second, after the fertilized egg is formed, the fallopian tubes are responsible for transporting it to the uterine cavity. Therefore, when any of these two processes encounter issues, it might result in infertility or an ectopic pregnancy. Therefore, inflammation of the fallopian tubes can indeed cause infertility. When significant inflammation of the fallopian tubes occurs, it affects their function, causing them to fail in transporting eggs. Under such circumstances, the sperm and egg cannot meet inside the fallopian tubes for fertilization, resulting in infertility. Additionally, even if a fertilized egg is formed, the fallopian tubes may fail to transport it to the uterine cavity, sometimes causing an ectopic pregnancy.

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Written by Zhao Min Ying
Reproductive Medicine
1min 26sec home-news-image

Precautions for Infertility Examination

Infertility examinations primarily involve tests for both men and women. For men, the examination includes a semen analysis which requires abstinence for 2-7 days. Semen should be collected through masturbation, using a specialized semen collection cup provided by the laboratory. Ordinary condoms should not be used for semen collection. After collection, the semen must be kept warm and promptly delivered back to the laboratory. For women, the examinations include several aspects. First, during the menstrual period, blood is drawn on an empty stomach between the 2nd and 4th days to check hormone levels, and an ultrasound is used to assess the baseline state of the ovaries. Second, between the 3rd and 7th days after the menstrual period ends, when sexual intercourse is prohibited, tests are conducted to examine the uterus and fallopian tubes. These may include hysterosalpingography, hysteroscopy, or laparoscopy to evaluate the condition of the fallopian tubes. Third, monitoring ovulation with ultrasound begins from the 8th to 10th day of the menstrual cycle, tracking the development of follicles and the uterine lining until the follicle matures and ovulation occurs.

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Written by Zou Fu Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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How is female infertility investigated?

There are many tests to be done for female infertility. For example, during menstruation, a fasting blood test can be done to check for six sex hormones, including follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. Between days 3-7 after menstruation ends, a fallopian tube hydrotubation and imaging can be performed, but intercourse must be avoided and there should be no gynecological inflammation to proceed with this examination. Additionally, routine vaginal secretion and mycoplasma infection tests can be conducted to check for any related issues. Moreover, around the tenth day of the menstrual cycle, a follicle monitoring ultrasound can be done to observe if there are dominant follicles and whether ovulation occurs. The male partner should also undergo some related tests. In summary, different tests can be conducted at different times for female infertility.

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Written by Luo Chun Yan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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Does taking emergency contraceptive pills cause infertility?

If emergency contraception is only used occasionally, it generally has a minor impact on fertility. However, frequent use of emergency contraceptives may lead to infertility. Emergency contraception usually consists of a combination of estrogen and progestin, with a high hormonal content. Its primary functions are to alter cervical mucus viscosity, hinder sperm mobility, suppress ovulation, and modify the endometrial environment in the uterus, thereby providing a contraceptive effect. Some may cause menstrual irregularities or ovulation disorders, affecting the motility of the fallopian tubes, potentially leading to ectopic pregnancies, which can cause infertility. Thus, emergency contraception should not be used as a regular method of contraception.

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Written by Zhang Wei Wei
Integrative Medicine
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How does infertility arise?

Infertility can be understood as the causes of infertility. We believe that the factors hindering conception are related to both the female and male partners, with the female factors accounting for 60%, male factors accounting for 30%, and factors involving both partners accounting for 10%. There are many causes of female infertility, primarily disorders related to ovulation and fallopian tube factors. Ovulation disorders include dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, ovarian diseases, endocrine metabolic diseases, and systemic diseases. Fallopian tube factors mainly include chronic fallopian tube inflammation, fallopian tube malformations, and pelvic adhesions. Then there are uterine factors, which include poor uterine development, uterine malformations, uterine adhesions, and endometrial tuberculosis. The fourth factor is related to the cervix. The fifth involves the vagina and perineum. Male infertility is mainly due to abnormalities in the semen, sexual function, and immune factors.

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Written by Wang Jing Hua
Obstetrics and Gynecology
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What is infertility?

If a couple has been married for a year without using contraception, are not living separately, and have not conceived, or if there has been a history of abortion and no conception has occurred within six months of unprotected sexual activity, then this is considered infertility. Infertility can be due to female factors or male factors, with male infertility also accounting for a significant proportion. Male investigations are relatively simple, non-invasive, and also less expensive, so it is generally advisable to first conduct male tests, followed by female assessments, such as endocrine function, ovulation, uterine lining, fallopian tube examinations, or various biochemical tests, etc.