Blocked fallopian tubes are a severe condition that affects a woman's ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy.
In the search for effective solutions, many have turned their attention to Serrapeptase, a protease enzyme believed to have the potential to address fallopian tube blockages.
However, does Serrapeptase help unblock fallopian tubes? The answer is no. The details of the response will be presented in this article.
Before exploring further, please read the disclaimer located at the end of this webpage.
Key Takeaways
- Serrapeptase does not offer benefits in unblocking fallopian tubes or curing diseases like Hydrosalpinx in women.
- Fallopian tube blockages can be caused by pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, scar tissue presence, uterine fibroids, and as a consequence of surgeries related to the fallopian tubes.
- Serrapeptase can lead to some severe side effects such as eosinophilic pneumonitis, bullous pemphigoid, bleeding, and a severe drug reaction known as Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
What Is Hydrosalpinx?
Hydrosalpinx, or fallopian tube blockage due to fluid accumulation, is a condition where one or both fallopian tubes are blocked, leading to fluid buildup inside [1].
This fluid can be clear, yellow, or brown and may contain cells, protein, and tissue fragments.
The fallopian tubes extend from the uterus to the ovaries, and each month, the ovaries release an egg that travels through the fallopian tube as part of the menstrual cycle.
Healthy fallopian tubes provide an open pathway for the egg and sperm to meet, leading to fertilization. The fertilized egg or embryo then travels down to your uterus, developing into a fetus [2].
With Hydrosalpinx, this pathway is blocked by fluid, preventing sperm from reaching the egg.
If fertilization occurs, the blockage in the fallopian tube also prevents the embryo from returning to the uterus, making it difficult to become pregnant or increasing the risk of an ectopic pregnancy.
What Causes Blocked Fallopian Tubes?
Most fallopian tube blockages are symptomless. The blockage is usually diagnosed through an X-ray procedure performed by injecting fluid through the uterus and tubes.
The fallopian tubes can be blocked due to infections, scar formation, or pelvic adhesions, which can occur for several reasons:
- Contracting certain sexually transmitted diseases like chlamydia or gonorrhea, which can leave scars and cause pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Endometriosis is due to the presence of uterine lining tissue outside, causing adhesions or indirectly blocking the fallopian tubes.
- Scar tissue exists from a previous ectopic pregnancy, necessitating the removal of the pregnancy sac, leaving scars in the tubes.
- Uterine fibroids block the fallopian tubes at places where they attach to the uterine wall.
- Past surgeries related to the fallopian tubes lead to pelvic adhesions and block the tubes.
Does Serrapeptase Help Unblock Fallopian Tubes?
There is insufficient scientific evidence to prove the efficacy of Serrapeptase in unblocking fallopian tubes.
Dr. Randy Morris, an IVF and Reproductive Specialist, states, "There is no evidence to suggest that Serrapeptase can unblock fallopian tubes."
He further elaborates that considering how Serrapeptase works, the idea that it could unblock fallopian tubes does not make sense.
Once serrapeptase is digested, if it is not destroyed in the stomach, it must be absorbed from the intestines into the blood.
Since it circulates in the blood, some argue it could affect blood vessel blockages.
However, fallopian tube blockages are not within blood vessels. However, inside the tubes themselves, making the possibility of Serrapeptase unblocking fallopian tubes implausible.
Can Serrapeptase Cure Hydrosalpinx? Scientific Evidence
Unfortunately, to date, there is no scientific research related to the ability of Serrapeptase to cure Hydrosalpinx. This article can only offer the sharing of experts and results of previous users.
Most recently, a user post by SarahJaneBee on Babycenter under the title "Serrapeptase for Unblocking Fallopian Tubes" [3] documented her trial process of Serrapeptase, the symptoms, and outcomes to cure fallopian tube blockages, supporting pregnancy.
The trial lasted almost 3 months. However, the results showed that Serrapeptase did not help her reduce fallopian tube blockages, after which she turned to the method of placing a tube to unblock the fallopian tubes and became pregnant after the procedure.
Further information was found on the Practo forum [4]. Here, Dr. Lavina Batra, a gynecologist with over 10 years of experience in the field, asserted that Serrapeptase does not play a role in curing Hydrosalpinx or blocked fallopian tubes. Other experts, Dr. SK Wadhwa and Dr. Vijaya Gupta, also agreed with her viewpoint.
Why are There Conversations Surrounding Serrapeptase and Blocked Fallopian Tubes?
Dr. Randy Morris, an IVF and Reproductive Specialist, once again raises his opinion: "Some smaller companies began to promote the use of Serrapeptase for other indications.
Blood vessels can get blocked, and fallopian tubes can get blocked, so these companies started advertising serrapeptase as a treatment for blocked fallopian tubes."
He also searched the National Library of Medicine database, Clinical Trials.gov, and the Cochrane Database but found no relevant information.
Upon searching Google, all he could see were promotions from providers trying to sell Serrapeptase with "claims" of successful fallopian tube unblocking and posts on social media or infertility support groups, but no actual clinical research.
Safety And Side Effects May Happen When Taking Serrapeptase
There has been no proven benefit regarding fertility enhancement with Serrapeptase. It may pose numerous risks if used incorrectly or in the wrong dosage.
A study recorded lung damage caused by Serrapeptase manifesting as acute eosinophilic pneumonia in an elderly male patient [5]. Another study reported a case of subepidermal blistering dermatosis due to Serrapeptase usage [6].
There are also side effects such as bleeding, affecting coagulation processes in patients after surgery [7], and the severe drug reaction syndrome of Stevens-Johnson caused by Serrapeptase [8].
Fertility Treatment Options For Blocked Tubes
If you choose not to use Serrapeptase, the following methods are available for treating blocked fallopian tubes:
Switching to In Vitro Fertilization: This therapy, while expensive, has a high success rate, offering a fertility solution without the need for fallopian tubes during conception.
Laparoscopy or cystoscopy for fallopian tube repair: Each individual has only one chance to repair the fallopian tubes because additional surgeries rarely succeed.
Laparoscopic surgery to remove the fallopian tubes: When the fallopian tubes are significantly damaged, the best course of action is to remove them to increase a woman's chances of conception.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Serrapeptase does not aid in unblocking fallopian tubes. While Serrapeptase may have some benefits for other health issues, its use for addressing blocked fallopian tubes is not recommended. Hopefully, this information is helpful and answers the question, "Does Serrapeptase Help Unblock Fallopian Tubes?".
References
- [1] Bloechle, Matthias. "What Is a Hydrosalpinx? A Plea for the Use of a Proper Terminology in Scientific Discussion." Human Reproduction, vol. 14, no. 3, Mar. 1999, pp. 578–578, https://doi.org/10.1093/humrep/14.3.578. Accessed 9 Feb. 2022.
- [2] "Hydrosalpinx: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment." Cleveland Clinic, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24437-hydrosalpinx.
- [3] "Serrapeptase for Unblocking Fallopian Tubes." BabyCenter, www.babycenter.ca/thread/5417758/serrapeptase-for-unblocking-fallopian-tubes. Accessed 12 May 2024.
- [4] Practo. "Serrapeptase - Hi, Diagnosed with Hydrosalpinx Recently. Can You | Practo Consult." Www.practo.com, 2 Mar. 2022, www.practo.com/consult/serrapeptase-hi-diagnosed-with-hydrosalpinx-recently-can-you-please-advise-if-serrapeptase-can-help-with-hydrosalpinx/q. Accessed 12 May 2024.
- [5] Sasaki, S., et al. "[Serrapeptase-Induced Lung Injury Manifesting as Acute Eosiniphilic Pneumonia]." Nihon Kokyuki Gakkai Zasshi = the Journal of the Japanese Respiratory Society, vol. 38, no. 7, 1 July 2000, pp. 540–544, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11019569/. Accessed 12 May 2024.
- [6] Shimizu, H., et al. "A Case of Serratiopeptidase-Induced Subepidermal Bullous Dermatosis." The British Journal of Dermatology, vol. 141, no. 6, 1 Dec. 1999, pp. 1139–1140, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10722270/, https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2133.1999.03225.x. Accessed 12 May 2024.
- [7] JOTHIESWARI. "Mpact of Serratiopeptidase on Bleeding and Clotting Time at Therapeutic Dose." Researchgate, Jan. 2023, www.researchgate.net/publication/367544920_Impact_of_Serratiopeptidase_on_Bleeding_and_Clotting_Time_at_Therapeutic_Dose. Accessed 12 May 2024.
- [8] Sen, Sukanta. "Diclofenac-Serratiopeptidase Combination Induced Stevens – Johnson Syndrome - a Rare Case Report with Review of Literature." JOURNAL of CLINICAL and DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH, 2014, https://doi.org/10.7860/jcdr/2014/9509.4610. Accessed 15 Jan. 2019.
