When your fallopian tubes become infected to the point that they enlarge and fill with fluid, the tubes are referred to as hydrosalpinx. Because the tubes are severely restricted, chances are you cannot undergo a normal pregnancy because the sperm can’t pass through the blocked tubes. Intensive exercise such as running may be difficult because of the pain associated with the condition.
Causes
There are a number of reasons you might develop hydrosalpinx. Sexually transmitted diseases are a common cause of the condition, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Extensive lesions in your pelvis can lead to serious infections that end up as hydrosalpinx. Past surgeries, particularly on your fallopian tubes, can leave the area with scarring that causes the reproductive tubes to become blocked. Endometriosis and birth control devices such as IUDs can lead to hydrosalpinx as well.
Symptoms
The severity of the symptoms varies among women and can include a milky discharge that won’t affect running, especially if you wear a thin pad to reduce leakage. A common side effect, however, that includes severe and constant belly pain will limit your activities. The pain usually is chronic and no amount of exercise relieves the discomfort. Pain in the pelvic region is another serious side effect experienced by many women with hydrosalpinx. The pain emanates from inside and no amount of stretching or muscle building can mitigate the effects until you treat the condition.
Treatment
The most effective means of treating hydrosalpinx and the associated pain that keeps you from participating in your favorite sport is to remove the tubes completely. After a relatively minor recuperation from the surgery, you’ll be back running at your normal levels within a week at most, according to the Homerton University Hospital. The surgery can be performed on an outpatient basis and takes about an hour without any major incisions. Younger women with a minor hydrosalpinx who want to eventually conceive may benefit from a laparoscopic procedure designed to open up the fallopian tubes, but there is a high recurrence rate of the condition.
Risks
Avoiding treatment can lead to a number of risks. Not only will you have to endure the pain when you run, but you can increase your risk of developing a serious life-threatening infection. Once the fallopian tubes are swollen beyond repair, a secondary infection in the tubes can result in an emergency trip to the hospital and crisis intervention. At the same time, the tests run to detect the condition can lead to complications if the dye used to highlight the tubes in X-rays leaves behind bacteria. Laparoscopic surgeries, while minimally invasive and generally safe, also can lead to secondary infections or adverse reactions that could keep you off your feet for a while. The most common side effects from fallopian tube removal are mild cramping and bleeding that could last from two to seven days.
