Hsg examination to check for female fertility disorders

Hysterosalpingography (HSG) examination is generally recommended for women who have difficulty conceiving. This procedure is performed by doctors to see the structure of the woman's uterus. How to check or check this HSG? Check out the full explanation below!

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What is HSG?

Hysterosalpingography or HSG is an X-ray procedure that is done to see the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes.

This HSG examination is often performed on women who have difficulty getting pregnant or have infertility.

Quoted from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, HSG examinations are often used to see whether the fallopian tubes are only partially or completely blocked.

Not only that, hysterosalpingography can also show whether the inside of the uterus is of normal size and shape.

All of these can cause fertility problems as well when you are planning a pregnancy.

The procedure or check with HSG should be done several months after the tubal sterilization procedure.

This is to ensure that the fallopian tubes are completely repaired.

Generally, this test will be done right before your menstrual cycle ends and the ovulation process has not started.

When is the time to undergo hysterosalpingography (HSG)?

If you are having trouble getting pregnant or have had problems getting pregnant, such as multiple miscarriages, your doctor may recommend this test.

This is because a hysterosalpingography (HSG) check can help diagnose the cause of infertility.

If you have had fallopian tube surgery, your doctor may also recommend an HSG procedure to check if the surgery was successful.

For example, when undergoing a tube ligation — a procedure that closes the fallopian tube — the doctor may perform this procedure to ensure that the tube is closed properly.

Same thing with checking if the tubal ligation reversal is successful so that the fallopian tube opens again.

It should also be noted that hysterosalpingography should not be performed when women have the following conditions:

• Is pregnant
• Pelvic infection
• Continuous uterine bleeding during the procedure

Hysterosalpingography and fertility

The purpose of doing the HSG examination is to help those of you who have fertility problems.

In another sense, the histrosalpingography procedure can help overcome the problem of difficulty conceiving as well as check for women who have had recurrent miscarriages.

Maybe you are finding out whether after an HSG examination or hysterosalpingography you can immediately get pregnant.

It is claimed that further research is needed to be used as a fertility test.

However, several studies have shown an increase in fertility after 3 months of doing the HSG procedure.

Then, it is necessary to look again at what kind of action is carried out because most doctors do this test for diagnosis.

Typically, fertility problems that can be identified through an HSG examination are as follows:

• Abnormal uterine structure, this condition can be caused by heredity.
• Fallopian tube blockage.
• The wound tissue found in the uterus.
• Fibroids in the uterus.
• Tumors in the uterus.

Preparation for the HSG examination

HSG screening is best done a week after menstruation, but before ovulation.

This is to make sure you don't get pregnant during the exam. Not only that, this procedure should not be performed if you have an active inflammatory condition.

Before starting the HSG examination procedure, there are several things that you need to prepare, including:

1. Tell the doctor about drug allergies

Before the HSG examination, it is better if you tell your doctor about any drug allergies you may have.

Not only that, you should also inform your doctor about all the uses of drugs that are currently being consumed.

This is to avoid side effects that may arise, but are not desirable.

2. Take pain relievers

One of the preparations before undergoing the HSG test is taking pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin).

It is best to take this drug one hour before the procedure.

The reason is, some women say that this examination causes pain or cramps when the catheter is inserted into the vagina.

This is done to keep you relaxed and minimize the discomfort that may occur during the HSG examination.

Not only that, this drug also helps to rest the uterus so that it doesn't feel cramps. The bladder will also be emptied prior to the procedure.

3. Prepare a bandage

After a hysterosalpingography (HSG) test, there is a chance that you may experience vaginal discharge which is quite sticky because some of the fluid comes out of the uterus.

This fluid may also be mixed with blood. Therefore, you need to prepare a bandage or pantyliner .

Implementation of the HSG procedure

HSG is usually performed by a radiation specialist in the X-ray room of a hospital or clinic. The procedure generally takes 15-30 minutes.

The HSG examination is a test that is performed with an X-ray and contrast agent.

Contrast substances are used to color certain cavities in the body so that the inside of the body can be seen more clearly when photographed.

But there is no need to worry because this substance will be excreted from the body through urine.

Therefore, you should tell your doctor if you have a history of allergies to barium or other contrast agents.

The following is the HSG examination process that you need to know:

1. Lie down at the start of the HSG examination

During the HSG test you will be asked to change into your hospital gown first.

After that, you will be asked to lie down with your legs parallel and positioned just below the fluroscope.

This is an X-ray camera that is used to take photos of certain body parts during the study.

After the shooting is complete, the doctor will ask you to spread your legs wide while they are bent, as if in a birthing position.

2. A speculum is inserted into the vagina

Then, the medical professional who handles you will enter speculum , which is a medical instrument used to see the inside of the vagina.

This device will hold the vaginal wall open so that the cervix will be exposed.

Then, the mouth or cervix will be cleaned with a special soap.

After that, the tip of the cervix will be given a local anesthetic as a pain reliever. You may feel a pinching pain after this process is complete.

3. The contrast agent is inserted with the cannula

If the speculum has been successfully inserted, the next step in the HSG examination is to insert a contrast agent with the following steps:

• Inserting a contrast medium such as dye to see the size and shape of the inside of the uterus and fallopian tubes.
• The cervix will be held in place with a cannula (hard tube) or a thin, flexible tube. This X-ray dye is put in.
• When the fallopian tubes open, dye will flow and spill into the stomach where the body will naturally absorb it.
• If the fallopian tube becomes obstructed, the dye will not enter.
• An X-ray image is shown on the TV monitor during the examination.
• If another display is required, the examination table may be tilted or you may be asked to change positions.

HSG screening side effects

Side effects from hysterosalpingography (HSG) procedures are extremely rare. However, that does not mean it is impossible without side effects at all.

There are several side effects that can occur after undergoing an HSG examination, including:

1. Infection

One of the most common side effects after undergoing the HSG process is infection.

The possible cause of this condition is that you have had a previous chlamydial infection.

In certain cases, the infection that occurs has the potential to cause damage to the fallopian tube, so it must be removed.

Therefore, if you experience persistent pain or fever after undergoing an HSG procedure, contact your doctor immediately.

2. Fainting during the test or afterwards

Although it is rare, one of the possible side effects is fainting.

Generally, you will feel so lightheaded during the procedure or after it that you eventually pass out.

3. Exposure to radiation

The radiation exposure during the HSG examination is very low, even less than the radiation obtained during the kidney examination.

However, this exposure has been shown to cause certain health problems.

Therefore, it is not allowed to perform this procedure while pregnant.

4. Stomach cramps

After undergoing the HSG test, you may experience menstrual cramps and slight bleeding.

This is a normal side effect and can go away on its own.

However, you need to contact your doctor if you experience the following symptoms:

• Fever
• Very intense pain and cramps
• Smelly discharge from the vagina
• Fainting
• Heavy bleeding from the vagina
• Gag

Consult and see a doctor if you experience fever and heavy bleeding after performing a procedure that is one of these fertility tests.

What are the complications that can occur?

HSG is considered to be one of the very safe procedures. However, in certain conditions serious complications may occur.

Keep in mind that this only occurs in 1% of all patients who have ever done this.

A possible complication after HSG is pelvic infection.

This occurs when a woman has had a disease related to the fallopian tubes.

In addition, this condition can also occur when women have an allergy from the contrast iodine or dye used.

These complications generally appear 1 to 2 days after the HSG test.

Explanation of the HSG test results

Usually, the results of the HSG test are in the form of X-rays that the radiologist will send to the doctor.

Then, the doctor will explain as well as invite you to discuss several things.

Normal result:

• The uterus and fallopian tubes are normal in shape.
• The fallopian tube is not scratched or injured.
• The dye flows from the uterus, through the fallopian tubes, and spills normally into the stomach.
• There are no objects (intrauterine devices or IUDs), tumors, or growths in the uterus.

Abnormal results:

• The fallopian tube may be scratched, abnormally shaped, or blocked so that dye doesn't flow through the tube.
• The cause of blocked fallopian tubes is inflammatory pelvic disease (PID) or endometriosis.
• The dye may leak through the uterine wall, showing a tear or opening in the uterus.
• An abnormal uterus may show tissue (septum) so that the uterus divides.
• There may be growths, for example polyps or fibroids.