Evaluating the prevalence of tubal patency with age in women investigating for infertility using hysterosalpingography in Calabar, Nigeria

Background: Infertility is a complex and multifaceted issue affecting millions of couples worldwide, with far-reaching physical, emotional, and socioeconomic consequences. In Nigeria, where childbearing holds significant cultural and familial importance, infertility is particularly stigmatized, leading to substantial emotional distress and social pressure. This study investigates the relationship between age and tubal patency in women undergoing infertility evaluation. Objective: To determine the hysterosalpingography (HSG) findings of women within reproductive age in a specialist hospital in Calabar, Nigeria. Specific Objective: 1. Determine the age range with a higher hospital visit for infertility investigation. 2. Ascertain whether patency is more frequent on the right, left, or bilateral. 3. Determine the frequency of outcomes with different age groups. Results: The results show a significant correlation between age and tubal blockage, with the highest prevalence of blockage found in women between 36-40 years. Conclusion: The study shows the importance of considering age as a factor in the evaluation and management of tubal factor infertility and serves as a useful tool for clinical practice and future research in the field of reproductive medicine.