Well, you’re trying to find out what the expect at your first, initial infertility testing?? Let me start by saying, I am NOT a physician, just a Sonographer who has been dealing with Infertility for years now. This information is in no way supposed to take place of what your physician will tell you or what they may advise for you.
This is just what I have learned and I wanted to share.
Going through infertility testing can be very difficult. It can be quite time consuming, expensive and nerve wracking. I’m a firm believer in educating yourself on your own health.
If you’re in need of a little extra support, I want to tell you about this awesome ebook before we get into the rest of this post. There is this ebook called Infertility is a Diagnosis NOT a Definition.
This ebook teaches you so many ways to become a stronger person because of your diagnosis. It teaches you ways to cope with your diagnosis and not let it consume you. If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, it’s time to get the ebook.
Now, back to the regularly scheduled content 😉
Find out what factors you may be able to change that are impacting your fertility. The big thing is, the more you are educated, the more you are prepared and being prepared can lower the stress levels.
With today’s post, I hope you can learn a little more about these two infertility testing options and can be a little more prepared for your infertility journey.
If you’re looking for support, you’re in the right place. I’d be more than excited if you shot me an email or messaged me on any of our social media platforms and connected.
If you find your Reproductive Endocrinologist, OB/GYN or whatever doctor is treating and testing you is recommending to start an exercise program, try out any of my favorite home workout programs.
Maybe they recommend you start a better diet. Make one of your meals super easy with this nutritious delicious shake.
Hysterosalpingogram: Infertility Testing
What is an HSG?
Let’s break it down into basic terms Hysterosalpingogram (Hystero : Uterus, Salpingo : fallopian tubes Gram: xray).
An HSG, officially called a Hysterosalpingogram is an outpatient procedure performed to evaluate the opacity of the Fallopian tubes and evaluate the endometrial canal of a female patient.
This procedure is performed if a woman is trying to conceive without any luck. This is done to look at the lining of the uterus, the dilation of the cervical canal and the opacity of the Fallopian tubes. In short, to check for “blocked tubes”.
When in your menstrual cycle do they perform an HSG?
This procedure is typically performed on day 5-12 of a patients menstrual cycle. Most doctors ask that you provide a negative pregnancy test result, as performing this while pregnant would not be advised.
It needs to be done before ovulation and any chance of pregnancy, so done early on in the cycle.
Some women find that after having an HSG, this can increase their chances of falling pregnant that cycle. Sometimes small blockages can be knocked loose with the dye and can fix the slight infertility problem they were having.
What to Expect for Your HSG Prep?
Typically, you call your doctor on day one of your cycle, they schedule your appointment for you. The outpatient facility will prep you. You are told to abstain from intercourse until after your procedure.
Once you get there, as close to your appointment time as you can, empty your bladder to make the procedure as easy as possible. Some doctors even recommend taking an NSAID (non steroidal anti inflammatory drug, like Iburpofen) prior to appointment time so you have some in your system.
Often times, the HSG can make you feel crampy afterwards, so having this medication in your system will help lessen the pain you go through.
Does an HSG hurt? What happens during an HSG?
This can be different for every woman.
Personally, I had a slight cramping on my left side. I had a very small blockage that the dye being injected broke free. Otherwise, I had a normal study. This was not a painful procedure for me at all.
You’ll feel the speculum being inserted in the vagina and up against the cervix and then the catheter insertion.
Some women have a hard time tolerating this, others, like myself, had no problem. It is expected to be crampy afterwards.
Honestly, after my first HSG, we went on a little weekend getaway with my best friend to celebrate my birthday and I don’t think it made any impression on me. No extra cramps, no pains, etc.
Expect to lay on an Xray table (not usually that comfortable), with your legs spread, similar to a GYN exam.
The doctor will clean you with betadine first. This stuff can leak out later and stain. It is a dark red color and can appear looking like blood, so make sure to wear a pad after the procedure.
The doctor will then insert a speculum, again similar to a GYN exam, into the vagina and then clean and prep the cervix for the insertion of the catheter.
An Xray machine, called a Fluorscope will be placed over your pelvis and the doctor can use xray to watch the dye being injected.
The doctor may ask you to move around in a different position in order to get a better image, this may cause cramping, but, do the best that you can.
Once the imaging is finished, the doctor will remove the catheter and speculum.
Most of the time the Radiologist will tell you whether you had a normal exam or had some kind of blockage before you leave the appointment.
Is there anything I can do to decrease the pain ?
Ask your doctor if they have any over the counter medication that they recommend you take before the procedure. Some doctors have even been known to prescribe an antibiotic for certain cases, but this is not necessary for all patients, most just tell you to take an NSAID like Ibuprofen for pain.
What to do After Your HSG?
If you have cramps, try relaxing, resting, hydrating, using a heating pad, etc. Anything that you normally do to help with those cramps you get that time of the month.
My doctor also told me that spotting may happen afterwards, but is completely normal! My radiologist also told us to have intercourse if we were up for it, as it has shown that sometimes an HSG will clear out minor blockages to help you conceive.
What Does an HSG Show?
It can show normal flow from the cervical canal, up through the endometrium and spilling out into both fallopian tubes. It is an X-ray that will show your uterus and fallopian tubes and will show if they’re open or blocked.
What is considered a normal HSG result?
An endometrial canal that fills normally with no endometrial mass and no endometrial scarring. Both fallopian tubes will opacify- meaning light up or show up and the radiologist can see, what they call, free spill of the dye through the tubes bilaterally (on both sides/both tubes).
What is an Abnormal HSG Result?
Any kind of blockage or stenosis that can’t be broken free in the fallopian tubes. Any blockage, full or partial of the tubes, any scarring or masses of the endometrial canal is considered abnormal.
If something is abnormal, what can be done?
Sometimes you can have a tube be cleaned out or removed if it becomes too painful. Cleaning out your fallopian tubes can help many females conceive a healthy pregnancy.
What’s next after an HSG?
Knowing the result of the test can help determine your fertility treatment plan of action. Your Reproductive Endocrinologist, or Ob/GYN can take this information and help devise a plan to help you properly conceive.
Another possible Infertility testing necessity :
Hysterosonogram: Infertility Testing
What is a Hysterosonogram?
A hysterosonogram (aka HSN, hysterosono, saline sono, saline infused ultrasound) is different than an HSG (no xray- just ultrasound, so no radiation).
This is a minimally invasive pelvic ultrasound guided look at the lining of your uterus, called the endometrium.
What is the Purpose of an HSN?
This is done with the intention of looking for polyps or masses in the endometrial canal.
What to Expect During a Hysterosonogram?
Similar to set up for an HSG, you’ll find yourself on an ultrasound table after emptying your bladder.
A doctor will insert a speculum into the vagina and insert a small catheter through the cervix. Following this insertion, the internal, Transvaginal probe, will be inserted into the vagina.
The doctor can then use the catheter to inject saline into the endometrial canal to check and see if there are any polyps, masses, fibroids, etc. that could be causing any infertility issues, abnormal bleeding or pelvic pain.
Once the images are taken, the ultrasound probe and the catheter will be removed. You may feel some cramps or twinges as this exam is being performed and afterwards.
I know this is a TON of information. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me or truly, ask your physician. No question is “stupid”! The more you know, the better.
Good luck with everything and I hope this helps get you mentally prepared for your infertility testing. Again, feel free to shoot me an email at onesharpmamablog@gmail.com if you need to!
PIN FOR LATER
Infertility is a diagnosis- not a definition!
