HyCoSy or HSG

[Charlotte321]

Hi, I need to go for a HyCoSy scan to check my tubes and uterus, it's different to a HSG I think. Has anyone had this scan done or heard of it? Thanks, Cx

Hello,

I have had both, well sort of. The HyCoSy I had "failed" as in, they couldnt insert the tube into my uterus to get the dye in. It turns out I had scar tissue blocking the cervix, I later had an operation to remove this, and then had an HSG to check all was OK.

The big difference between the two is that with the HyCoSy, they put saline solution or contrast dye into your uterus and then do an ultrasound and with the HSG they put contrast dye in and do X-rays.

This usually means (but not always, do ask) that HyCoSy's are done in a doctors surgery by a gynecologist or ultrasound technician, and an HSG is done in a hospital where there is large xray machines (and will involve lots of people, nurses, technicians, gynecologist etc)

Both exams IMO are quite painful (try to take the strongest painkillers you can get your hands on before hand) and humiliating - you spend a lot of time in stirrups while people poke around. In the US it is quite common for gynecologists to offer women some kind of tranquiliser for these procedures as well as painkillers, but not so on the NHS!

If you know your cycles well, try to get an appointment for mid cycle when you are likely to be ovoluating and your cervix will be a little open anyway.

Hope that helps. HTH xx

I should also have added -

-Ask to have copies of whatever slides/images/CD Rom is produced so that you can send them to another doctor for a second opinion if needed.
-The jury is out as to which is "better" for detecting hard to spot problems (like scar tissue) but its generally believed that with the ultrasound, it depends on the skill of the sonographer (especially if saline is used) contrast dye and x ray will show up anomolies better (so in theory, anyone could spot a problem)
-both will show you if there are major blockages to the tubes (because the tubes wont fill up with liquid if blocked)
-Ask for the liquid to be inserted slowly (it hurts more if it goes in too fast)

Thanks mummy! I had a letz treatment done years ago on my cervix so I do have scar tissue - hopefully not too much. The doctor said my AMH levels are high and this, combined with other symptoms, makes him think I won't ovulate naturally so I can't really time the scan around ovulation. Thanks for the other tips though. Were your tubes clear and did you go on to conceive? x

Hi,

Yes, I did go on to conceive and my miracle baby is one year old now

Full story here:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/1080899-Ashermans-Support-Thread-for-those-seeking-diagnosis-getting-treatment-or-TTCing-again-after-All-welcome

If you want the short story: I had scar tissue in my uterus and on cervix (so much on the cervix that is was completely closed so period blood couldnt even get out) tubes were open, but the scar tissue in my uterus caused an mmc. I went to see a specialist in uterine adhesions (or ashermans syndrome) and paid privately for an operation which was a complete success. Fantastic support available for this sort of this from www.ashermans.org.

Have you considered charting? (see www.fertilityfriend.com) I used this to know when I was ovulating even though I didnt have periods. Very useful to get an idea of whats going on inside. The more info you have the better IMO.

sorry forgot the linky things

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/conception/1080899-Ashermans-Support-Thread-for-those-seeking-diagnosis-getting-treatment-or-TTCing-again-after-All-welcome

That's amazing, congrats. I did try charting (admittedly not very carefully) and it didn't seem to show an increase, I don't think I'm ovulating so there's nothing to pick up on the chart. Am now thinking of trying Chinese herbs or agnus castus, I need something to get my ovaries ovulating! Fingers crossed my tubes are clear though as of course no point ovulating otherwise. How did you get scarred tissue by the way?

Hi, I had a HyCoSy but not a HSG although my friend had one recently and I think the HyCoSy sounds better as you can see what's happening on the screen and my consultant explained it all to me whereas with my friends HSG on the NHS she had to wait a good few weeks for the results which is painful when you're TTC and just wanting to know if something is wrong. I found the HyCoSy painful enough but not too bad, like painful period pains - think the pain was easier to handle as I was getting answers there and then and it was certainly nothing compared to after eg collection during my IVF cycle!
HTH

Just one thing to add (and I know this sounds very stupid on my behalf), my op was done in a city centre hospital close to my H's work so took the opportunity to meet him afterwards and go for dinner. Initially everything was fine, but then I realised that what must go up (the dye!) must come down and had a very embarrassing exit from the restaurant and walk back to the car!!

Hi Charlotte,

I most probably got the uterine scar tissue after a the birth of my first child, the placenta got stuck and an inexperienced nurse yanked it free (I got PPH and a month later needed an ERPC because there was still placenta in there)

The cervical scarring seems to have occured after an ERPC following a miscarriage (mmc most likely caused by egg not being able to implant due to uterine scar tissue)

So in both cases it was following ERPC, but at different times and for different reasons.

Unlike in your case though, throughout all this, I was ovulating OK. It took me a long time and a lot of being pushy with doctors to find out my story though, it can be a tough road - you really have to be your own advocate, get every test going, try everything and dont give up!

best wishes. xxx

I had a HyCoSY in hospital and agree it was good to get the feedback instantly. It was painful (take some paracetomel and ibruprofen before hand) during the procedure although the pain stopped as soon as they finished. I bled for prob 3 days afterwards. Do take someone with you - I am pretty robust but was very glad to have my DH with me.

I don't know which one I had, think it was a hycosy. It was absolutely fine, a little bit uncomfortable when they injected the dye.

Washing out the tubes following by Clomid certainly did the trick for me. I got pregnant the cycle after.

oooh, and another thing: there is no scientific evidence, but many people believe that just having a procedure like this done gives you a bit of a fertility "boost" as so many women have reported getting pregnant very soon afterwards (I got pregnant on the second cylce after) - its as if your tubes get a bit of a "jet wash" and helps everything work better (nice thought to hang on to when you are in the stirrups wishing it would all be over!) xx

Might have to go on my own as my DH is going to Oz for a couple of wks but it depends on when I get AF and can book it in. Might just go on my own anyway as I already feel awful about being the one who is stopping us from being parents especially as DH is 36 (he is brilliant about it all though). On day 37 now, had some very light spotting yesterday, could be ages before AF though due to bloody PCOS!

On a more positive note, I'd heard it flushes out the system sometimes! Also heard it can show tubes are blocked when they're not really, but spasm-ing? So would I still get to try clomid if they show up as blocked? Cx