It is possible to conceive with one fallopian tube, although the success rates for conception can vary, depending on the reason behind the missing tube. For some women, the chances of pregnancy with one fallopian tube are basically identical to those in the general population, while others may have a lower chance of successful conception. If women cannot conceive independently, assisted reproductive technology may be able to resolve the issue and help women get pregnant and this option can be discussed with a gynecologist and fertility specialist to get more information.
Common reasons to be missing a fallopian tube include complications from a tubal pregnancy along with inflammation and scarring from conditions like pelvic inflammatory disease. Women who have experienced problems with their fallopian tubes before can be at risk of having problems again in the future and this can affect the chances of getting pregnant with a single fallopian tube. In a woman with a history of tubal pregnancy, for example, there is a chance it will happen again and monitoring during early pregnancy is advised.
As long as one or both ovaries are intact to produce eggs, women should be able to ovulate and get pregnant. The ovaries can deliver eggs to either fallopian tube and with time, ovulation into the healthy tube may be more common, increasing the chances of getting pregnant with a single fallopian tube over time. In women who have trouble ovulating, fertility drugs can sometimes provide the kickstart needed to ovulate successfully, and they can go on to become pregnant.
Some women get pregnant without even being aware that one fallopian tube is blocked or not functional. It is important to be aware that fertility is a complex issue and women may have other issues beyond a missing fallopian tube that could impact their ability to get pregnant and to carry a pregnancy to term. People who experience repeated pregnancy loss or difficulty conceiving may want to consider discussing the situation with a specialist and taking some diagnostic tests to learn more about the situation.
Problems with fertility relating to the fallopian tubes are known as tubal infertility. In patients with tubal infertility, an evaluation by a fertility specialist can be helpful for finding out more specifically about why pregnancy is difficult. The fertility specialist can make some recommendations, starting with a more conservative approach and exploring more aggressive fertility treatments if the more conservative methods do not work.
