In order to conceive a baby, all the organs in one’s reproductive system must function perfectly. In a woman, the ovaries must produce an egg every month, the uterus should be healthy enough to support the pregnancy, and the fallopian tubes should be unblocked. If any of these parts fail to function correctly, getting pregnant would be very difficult.
If women have a blockage in their fallopian tubes, their partner’s sperm will not reach the eggs to fertilize it. The tubes may be blocked due to several reasons. Whatever the cause may be, the condition is diagnosed with the help of a test known as a hysterosalpingogram.
What is Tubal Assessment: Hysterosalpingogram?
Tubal Assessment: Hysterosalpingogram, commonly called HSG, is a procedure that uses X-ray to analyze the fallopian tubes and the uterus deeply. The procedure takes about 5 minutes, and you can return home the same day. Your doctor will conduct the procedure after your period but before your next ovulation begins. That means you will be asked to schedule the procedure during the first half of the cycle, between days 1 and 14.
What are the risks of Tubal Assessment: Hysterosalpingogram?
HSG is a quick and safe procedure. However, all procedures carry a certain amount of risk. Some people are allergic to the dye used in the procedure and react negatively. Some patients may experience injury to the uterus or pelvic infection as well. Other possible risks of tubal assessment include:
- Unpleasant-smelling vaginal discharge
- Heavy vaginal bleeding
- Vomiting
- Fainting
- Severe cramping or pain in the abdomen
- Fever
How to Prepare for HSG?
You will be asked to take pain medication about an hour before your procedure. You may also be given an antibiotic. Follow your doctor’s advice about the process of preparation for the procedure. After the tubal assessment procedure, you must also arrange to have someone drive you home. You may experience some cramping that could make driving difficult.
What should you expect during a hysterosalpingogram?
The hysterosalpingogram procedure usually completes in just a handful of minutes. However, one may require additional time to register, fill out the forms, and answer any questions about allergies and prior medications since the test is conducted in the radiology wing of a hospital. The procedure is conducted in the following manner:
- You will be asked to lie on the table and then position your legs on the stirrups.
- The doctor will place a speculum to visualize the cervix.
- A thin, soft catheter is placed into the cervical opening, and a cannula is inserted into the opening.
- Contrast is then injected into the catheter or cannula into the uterus. An X-ray is then taken while the cavity is filling up. More contrast is injected, so the tubes get filled and start spilling into the abdomen. More X-ray pictures are taken. The patient is then asked to roll on one side to get an oblique image.
Once done, the instruments are discarded, and the patient is asked to stay on the table for some time to recover from cramps that usually occur due to the injection of contrast.
Possible Results of Tubal Assessment: Hysterosalpingogram
Your results will go to your healthcare provider, who will discuss them with you. If the test shows blockage in your tubes, your doctor may recommend undergoing additional procedures, such as laparoscopy, to further diagnose and treat the condition. They may also recommend some fertility treatment if required, such as IVF.
When should you call your doctor?
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you notice any unusual signs and symptoms after the procedure. These symptoms could mean the presence of an infection.
- Fever
- Heavy vaginal bleeding
- Fainting
- Chills
- Vomiting
- Severe cramping in the abdomen
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
Conclusion
Tubal Assessment: Hysterosalpingogram is helpful for your provider to discover irregularities in your fallopian tubes or uterus. It can be instrumental in helping you discover the cause of infertility if you are facing problems getting pregnant. Blocked tubes are one of the leading causes of infertility. The results of your tubal assessment will take your doctor a step further toward determining the cause of your infertility.
Request an appointment at
Apollo Fertility, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad
Call 1860 500 4424 to book an appointment
It is best to schedule your HSG test after your period is over, but before you start ovulating. Therefore, the best time is between days 6 and 10 of your cycle.
Cramping is the biggest and most common side effect of the HSG test. Your provider will recommend you take OTC pain medications for a few days after the procedure to ease the symptoms. You may also notice sticky vaginal discharge while the dye leaves the body.
The dye solution injected to perform the procedure can potentially clear out minor blockages. Due to this, they increase your chances of getting pregnant.
Mild discomfort during and after the procedure is common with the HSG test. You may also experience some cramping due to the dye solution injected into the uterus.
For a couple of days before the test, you should avoid sexual intercourse, and avoid using any vaginal medications or creams. Also, you cannot have liquids or food 2 hours before the procedure.
