In order for a woman to get pregnant, a number of parts of her body need to function perfectly. The ovaries need to produce an egg cyclicly every month, the uterus should be healthy enough to support the pregnancy, and the fallopian tubes should be open. In case any of these parts are not functioning correctly, one will face problems in getting pregnant.
If there is any kind of blockage in the fallopian tubes, sperm will not reach the eggs to fertilize them. The tubes can get blocked due to a number of reasons. Whatever the cause may be, the condition is diagnosed with the help of a test known as a hysterosalpingogram.
What Is a Hysterosalpingogram?
Tubal Assessment: Hysterosalpingogram, also known as HSG, is a procedure that makes use of an X-ray to take an in-depth look at the uterus and fallopian tubes. The procedure takes about 5 minutes only and the patient can return home the same day. The doctor conducts the procedure after their period is over but before their next ovulation begins. That means they will be asked to schedule the procedure during the first half of their cycle, between days 1 and 14.
What are the risks of Tubal Assessment?
HSG is a safe procedure overall. However, all procedures carry some degree of risk. Some people may be allergic to the dye used in the procedure and may react negatively to it. In some cases, there may be an injury to the uterus and 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 a Hysterosalpingogram?
The patient will be asked to take pain medication about an hour before the procedure. They may also be given an antibiotic. They should follow the doctor’s advice about how to prepare for the procedure. Also, they must arrange to have someone drive them home after the tubal assessment procedure as they may experience some cramping that could make driving difficult.
What to expect during a hysterosalpingogram?
The hysterosalpingogram is a quick and efficient procedure. However, since the test is conducted in the radiology wing of a hospital, additional time may be required to register, fill out the forms, and answer any questions about allergies and prior medications being taken
The procedure is conducted in the following manner:
- The patient is asked to lie down on the table and position their feet on the stirrups.
- The doctor positions a speculum and visualizes the cervix.
- A thin, soft catheter is placed into the cervical opening and a narrow metal cannula is then inserted into the opening.
- Contrast is then injected through the catheter or cannula into the uterine cavity. After this, an x-ray is taken while the uterine cavity is filling. Additional contrast is injected so the tubes get completely filled and start spilling into the abdominal cavity. More x-ray pictures are then taken. The patient is then asked to roll on one side to get an oblique x-ray image.
Once done, the instruments are removed and the patient is asked to stay on the table for a few minutes to recover from cramps that usually occur due to the injection of contrast.
Possible Results of Tubal Assessment: Hysterosalpingogram
The results go to the healthcare provider who then discusses the results with the patient. If the test shows blockage in the tubes, the doctor may recommend that they undergo some additional procedures such as laparoscopy to diagnose and treat the condition further. They may also recommend some fertility treatment if required, such as IVF.
When should you call your doctor?
If you notice any of the following signs and symptoms following the procedure, make sure to call your healthcare provider. These symptoms are a sign of infection.
- Fever
- Heavy vaginal bleeding
- Fainting
- Chills
- Vomiting
- Severe cramping in the abdomen
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge.
Conclusion
Tubal Assessment: The hysterosalpingogram is a helpful procedure for the healthcare provider, which enables them to discover irregularities in the fallopian tubes or uterus. It can be instrumental in helping a person discover the cause of their infertility if they are facing problems getting pregnant. Blocked tubes are one of the leading causes of infertility. The results of the tubal assessment take the doctor a step further toward determining the cause of infertility.
Request an appointment at
Apollo Fertility, Kondapur, Hyderabad
Call 1860 500 4424 to book an appointment
Hysterosalpingography, also known as HSG, is a type of X-ray test used for outlining the internal shape of your uterus and checking if the fallopian tubes are blocked.
The dye solution injected to perform the procedure can potentially clear out minor blockages. Due to this, they increase your chances of getting pregnant.
Cramping is the biggest and most common side effect of the HSG test. The healthcare provider will recommend that OTC pain medications be taken for a few days after the procedure to ease the symptoms. Also, sticky vaginal discharge may be noticed while the dye leaves the body.
It is best to schedule the HSG test after one's period is over but before the start of ovulation. Therefore, the best time is between days 6 and 10 of the cycle.
Mild pain is common during an HSG test. You may also experience some cramping after the test due to the dye injected into the uterus.
