First, I want you to know that many women get pregnant naturally with just one fallopian tube. Trying to conceive may be a bit more challenging with only one fallopian tube, but it may still be possible. We understand how disheartening it is to learn of a fertility health issue or that chances of conception have been limited, yet know that with this particular issue, you have control and still have a chance.
Trying to Conceive With One Fallopian Tube
Ovulation typically happens from one ovary one cycle and the other the next – the event alternates from side to side. Knowing this, it is going to be important to learn the signs of and to track ovulation so as not to miss a chance for natural conception to happen. Get to know your fertility cycle and body intimately so that you know exactly when you ovulate and from what ovary. Why not also do all that you can to naturally support fallopian tube and ovarian function as well?
1. Learn the tools available to help you detect ovulation. If you do not already do this, and knowing you may not be able to have your doctor monitor for ovulation each month, visit A Comprehensive Guide Explaining Ovulation Tracking Tools.
2. Address fertility health issues. If you have been diagnosed with a fertility health issue, that should be addressed first as it cannot only impact fallopian tube health but many other aspects of fertility and chances of conception.
- Support fertility after ectopic pregnancy. If you’ve had an ectopic pregnancy, Healing From Ectopic Pregnancy is your complete guide to causes, prevention, and physical and emotional recovery.
- Work to heal endometriosis and uterine fibroids. Both endometriosis and uterine fibroids can cause fallopian tube blockages and impair the uterine environment, while also causing a myriad of unwanted symptoms.
- Treat PID and STDs/STIs. Work with your healthcare provider to treat any treatable infections. This is important not only for your health but also for the health of future pregnancies, births and children, as some infections can be passed onto babies during the birthing process.
3. Naturally support fallopian tube health. Our guide Natural Therapies for Blocked Fallopian Tubes can be your go-to whether you have a blocked tube or not. Much of what is discussed in the guide is supportive of healthy fallopian tube function and all of reproductive wellness in many ways.
4. Boost ovarian function. Natural therapies and healthy lifestyle choices are simple ways to promote regular ovulation each menstrual cycle. My guide 5 Simple Ways to Promote Regular Ovulation will teach you all about them.
5. Consider further testing. If you have been actively trying to conceive with one fallopian tube and pregnancy has not been achieved in 6 months or more, perhaps it is time to talk to your healthcare provider about further investigation.
Keep moving forward…
Be encouraged that conception can still happen with one fallopian tube! I know that there is a lot of information in this very small guide. I hope you’ve found it helpful and are inspired to do everything that you can to boost your fertility health naturally as you continue to try to conceive.
Elizabeth Willett is the Senior Herbalist and Lead Educator at NaturalFertilityInfo.com. She holds a BS in Mass Communications (2000) from Minnesota State University, and a Master of Arts degree (MA, 2010) in Holistic Health Studies with a specialization is herbalism from St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN. Liz has written over 200 articles on women’s fertility and brings a vast wealth of knowledge and expertise in holistic health and healing to Natural Fertility Info.com
This article just points to general ways to improve fertility. Could you please provide specifics about conceiving with one tube? For example, you could review the many studies showing that an egg from one side can make its way to the opposite tube. Or you could discuss ways women might detect which side they’re ovulating. Or you could cover how acupuncture can stimulate the ovary on the same side as the tube.
Hello!
Thank you for the suggestions.
Here is what I know about conceiving with one tube: It’s possible when one ovulates from the ovary on the side of the healthy tube. It is very very rare that a fallopian tube will reach around to the healthy ovary to grab an egg. I haven’t seen valid studies worthy of an article, so I won’t be reviewing them. That said, I have anecdotal accounts and one or two personal blogs where women claim this happened for them.
With that, signs of ovulation are swelling and lower abdominal bloating, fullness in the labia and increased libido, one-sided, short-lived twinges of pain called Mittelschmerz. Beyond that, OPKs can help you know when the LH surge happens and the start of your fertile window. BBT charting is the sure fire way to know when ovulation happens.
Acupuncture is known to help by positively affecting the sympathetic nervous system, the endocrine and neuroendocrine systems. A 2018 study published in Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion reveals acupuncture used as an adjunctive approach to drug therapy can increase ovulation and shorten the menstrual cycle in infertile women with PCOS. The results also suggest it could help lower BMI, reduce luteinizing hormone, testosterone, and estradiol (E2) levels. I know this is a PCOS-specific study and you may not have PCOS, but it would help in the absence of PCOS when irregular or weak ovulation are a concern. It truly would be best to discuss acupuncture for ovulation support with an acupuncturist who specializes in fertility. We share more in our guide How Traditional Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture) Enhances Fertility.
I hope this is all helpful!