For example, you may be asked to lie on your side. You may feel uncomfortable with the speculum inside and the x-ray over you. Your doctor understands. Ask for help if you need it. Once the doctor has decided that the pictures are satisfactory, the x-ray machine will be lifted up and the speculum removed. You're free to go home.
The test can be nerve-wracking, with this big x-ray machine hovering over you while you're lying on your back, legs apart, with the speculum inside. The nurse or doctor may ask you to roll over to your side for an x-ray or two, and you have to do it with the speculum still between your legs. In most women, the dye painlessly passes through the uterus, through the fallopian tubes , and out into the abdominal cavity. However, if your tubes are blocked, the dye can cause pressure. This is what can then lead to substantial discomfort or even pain.
The good news is that if you do feel intense pain, it shouldn't last for more than a minute. During the test, if you feel pain, tell your doctor right away. They can quickly remove the catheter, which will release the pressure and should eliminate your pain. Most doctors recommend taking ibuprofen an hour before the HSG. This can reduce mild cramping during the test. Anxiety and fear about the test can increase your perception of pain.
You may experience mild cramps and light spotting. You'll be able to resume regular activity after the test. Some doctors may tell you to refrain from sexual intercourse for a few days after the test. While mild cramps are normal, if your discomfort seems to be increasing after the test or you develop a fever, contact your doctor.
There is a rare risk of infection following an HSG. Increasing pain may be a sign of infection. Increasing pain may hint that an infection is brewing. After your test, your provider will deliver your test results. The HSG helps the doctor check out two important factors:. If the x-ray shows a normal uterine shape, and the injected dye spills freely out from the ends of the fallopian tube, then the test results are considered normal.
This doesn't, however, mean your fertility is normal. It just means whatever may be wrong wasn't seen on the HSG. Hormonal-based causes of infertility will not be seen on an HSG. Not all uterine based fertility problems can be visualized with an HSG.
In other words, the HSG showed a normal uterine shape, but a hysteroscopy showed abnormalities. Also, endometriosis can't be diagnosed with an HSG. Only an exploratory laparoscopy can rule out or diagnose endometriosis.
If the dye shows an abnormally shaped uterus, or if the dye does not flow freely from the fallopian tubes, there may be a problem. The blockage appears to be right where the fallopian tube and uterus meet. If this happens, the doctor may repeat the test another time or order a different test to confirm. An HSG can show that the tubes are blocked, but it can't explain why. Your doctor may order further testing, including exploratory laparoscopy or a hysteroscopy.
These procedures can both help investigate the issue and possibly correct the problem. An HSG is a generally safe procedure. Still, there many people are concerned about safety and potential risks of an HSG test. This is more common if you've already had an infection or you're at risk for pelvic inflammatory disease PID. If you have a history of PID, sexually transmitted infection, or abdominal surgery such as an appendectomy , your doctor may prescribe antibiotics for the procedure as an extra precaution.
Another risk is fainting during or after the test. If you feel dizzy after the exam, tell your doctor. It may be better for you to remain lying down until you feel less woozy. A rare but potentially serious risk is iodine allergy. If you are allergic to iodine or shellfish, tell your doctor before the test.
If you have any itching or swelling after the test, tell your doctor. Shady Grove Fertility places high value on patient safety and comfort and goes out of our way to minimize discomfort. Many women feel some cramping for about 2 minutes when the contrast is filling the uterus. Therefore, we strongly encourage taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen 30 to 60 minutes before the test to reduce feelings of pain or discomfort.
This will help tremendously. Also, speak with your doctor about taking pain medicine 30 to 60 minutes before the procedure especially if you have a history of ectopic pregnancies or a hydrosalpinx.
We have very experienced clinicians who perform HSGs. The clinicians at our practice who perform HSGs perform thousands each year and have the experience and expertise to help make your experience as comfortable as possible. We encourage communication. We encourage you, if you are feeling any discomfort during the test, to communicate with your clinician performing the test, let us know if it hurts, and we may be able to make some adjustments to make you more comfortable.
We are selective about contrast and instrument type. We select a contrast that is known to cause the least amount of cramping and an instrument that is known to cause the least amount of discomfort.
We care about your comfort. We perform this procedure on a GYN table, which makes patients more comfortable, compared with a hospital table common in other locations. How long does an HSG take? While the actual procedure takes about 5 minutes, you should plan to arrive for your HSG 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment.
You can also expect to be with us for minutes after the scheduled HSG start time. Is it okay to drive home by myself after the test? The standard operating procedure for an HSG does not call for sedation. You are unlikely to have pain following the procedure, but you may feel crampy or achy. The majority of our patients are able to drive after an HSG and even immediately return to work. When is the best time during my cycle to schedule the HSG?
The test should be scheduled after your period ends, but before you expect to ovulate — usually between days 5 to 12 of your menstrual cycle. To figure out the days of your cycle, count day 1 as the day your period begins. Where can HSGs be performed? HSGs can be completed in many healthcare environments, including hospitals, radiology labs, or other free-standing centers.
Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse call line if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to keep a list of the medicines you take.
Ask your doctor when you can expect to have your test results. Author: Healthwise Staff. Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.
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