Fallopian Tube Test

[kay157]

Hi everyone
I went to the hospital yesterday, the next step after having had blood tests and scans previously. The next step for us now is for me to have some dye put inside me to check all my tubes. Has anyone had this done and does it hurt..it definately didn't sound very pleasant!!! If that comes back clear then our problems are called unexplained infertility and next step after that is IVF which all seems a bit daunting!!! If we had a problem i could accept it a bit more but as everything so far keeps coming back fine (which i know is good) why do i keep feeling so shit about it all!!!! Anyway does anyone know if this hurts???? xx

its a bit uncomfortable, but had much worse done take big knickers and a sanitary towel though, you may spot afterward. and ask the doctor if they can see anything there and then!

Ok thankyou Lissie i can imagine its a bit like a smear but a bit worse. Men have it so easy don't they..just one test for them!! :)

i know, dh had the temerity to moan about his! I simply replied "Ive had gallons of blood taken, every doctor from london to liverpool checking my uterus, dye pushed through my fallopian tubes, cameras shoved up my fanny and lost my dignity somewhere in shropshire, and you are moaning about having a wank? seriously?"

Hi Kay I had the HSG done really recently. I was anxious about it too, but I hardly felt a thing. The only slightly uncomfortable part was having the speculum placed, but this was no different to having a smear done.

Mine took less than 10 minutes, and the imaging part is really very quick.

I was told I'd feel some period type cramping pains, but the cramps were so mild they were hardly noticeable. Definitely a lot less uncomfortable than a normal period for me. I took 2 paracetamol (1000mg) and 2 ibuprofen (400mg) about two hours before the HSG.

As lissie said take a sanitary towel as the dye runs out afterwards, and you may experience a little bit of bleeding.

I got my results there and then, which were all clear so do ask. It's a bit bizarre seeing your own uterus and fallopian tubes on a screen!

I have been diagnosed with unexplained infertility following this test :-(

I had a hycosy and it didn't hurt at all... Not even slightly. And he told me the result there and then

Thankyou all for your comments...lissie you made me laugh that is exactly true they just don't get it do they lol.

Knackered cow..what is the next step for you now IVF?? in one way it's great because you've got no problems but on the other hand it's not an answer other than unexplained. this is how I feel as a big part of me thinks mine is unexplainned too, know it sound odd but I think if ihad a definate problem I could move on and deal with it. hope your ok xx

Hi Kay just wanted to say I had a hycosy and it was no more painful than a smear. I second the advice about big knickers and some form of sanitary wear.

We are just about to start IVF because none of our tests have shown anything that's conclusively the problem . My cycles are irregular but I do ov (am on clomid at the moment but I do ov without medication, it's just harder to predict) and DH has low morphology but still within the "normal" range.

So that there's nothing wrong but that there's no BFP.

Good luck with the HSG and with whatever you decide to do afterwards.

I am keeping my fingers crossed that you get your BFP soon

Hi Kay, I just wanted to add two quick things, one- definitely take a strong ibuprofen and paracetemol about an hour before the test, I've had an HSG three times now and found this really helped.

Second thing, have you had a laparoscopy and hysteroscopy? The hyst looks with a camera at the inside of your uterus for any abnormalities and the lap is where they insert a camera through your belly button and looks at the ovaries and inside of you for things like endometriosis etc. I also had a diagnosis of unexplained until I swapped consultants and he did a lap & hyst and discovered endometriosis, which he treated during the same operation and we then managed to conceive the following month.

I would really push for this before going ahead with IVF.

Best of luck

Thankyou Garden Pixie for your advice...i asked about clomid but he wouldn't put me on it as i'm regular and do ovulate..i thought that was the nxt the step but no IVF is the next step for us. Wish you all the best and hope you have BFP soon too xx

Helen louise i've had various bloodtests and an ultrasound scan ..both jelly on the tummy and a camera put inside me (by a very young doctor ) thanks for the advice...If that comes back ok i may ask for more test or change consultants. congratulations on your pregnancy xx

kay157

You have already been given some great counsel re the HSG so won't repeat it. I would say that in my case the fear was worse than the reality. HSG is a useful test to have done as it will give infomation not easily accessible by other methods like a laparoscopy (and you really don't want surgery unless it is warranted). Deformities INSIDE the tube can only be seen on x-ray.

Unexplained infertility is actually no diagnosis at all. It means that they have failed to find out what is wrong. I would go all out post HSG to ensure that you as a couple have been adequately investigated. Sometimes such a "diagnosis" is given to couples simply because not enough tests have been done. I would therefore not rush into IVF unless they can tell you conclusively that you as a couple have been adequately investigated.

I will put up a list of tests that are often missed out. Often these can determine the source of the "unexplained" problem.

How much investigation has been done also on your man to date?. I ask this as for instance one semen analysis is not at all sufficient. You need up to date test results, anything done over six months should now be discounted.

The most common tests that tend to be omitted are:-

Adequate x-rays of the uterus which may show abnormalities not otherwise seen at laparoscopy.

Hysteroscopy - telescope inspection of the inside of the uterus which may occasionally show abnormalities not seen otherwise

Repeated sperm counts over several weeks and months to make sure there is no subtle abnormality

Testing the sperm in special media such as swim up testsvelocity testing. However, when they are done, they often uncover a hidden cause for the supposed unexplained problem

Thorough hormone tests to detect abnormalities of male hormone or early falls in progesterone

Scanning of the ovaries to see if follicles really are developing and there are no sign of polycystic ovaries.

Can I just join and say, although having this test done was VERY painful (minor discomfort my ARSE), I did go onto to fall immediately pregnant after 3 years of trying... don't know whether it washed out 'stuff' having this done or if it was pure coincidence.

I knocked a bollard over driving home from the hospital...

oh no Rennie...i definately make sure i don't drive home but thanks again everyone for all the advice..very much appreciated xx