HSG now or later?

[blamber]

Hi everyone,

I have just been diagnosed with pcos. They are going to measure progesterone this cycle to see if I ovulate and then probably put me on clomid.

The consultant was talking about doing an HSG as well to check for blockages in the Fallopian tubes. He gave me a choice though. He said they could do it now, or postpone it and do it after having been through 3 cycles of clomid if unsuccessful. He said he gave me the choice because the procedure is unpleasant. He also said that from my history there is nothing to suggest a possible blockage.

What would you do? I suppose there is not much chance of a blockage, but then again I wouldn't want to waste 3 cycles on clomid and then find out there was a blockage! I know the number of cycles you get is limited. Any advice or experiences are welcome!

Hi,

Thought I'd share my experience of HSG. My husband and I were trying to conceive for 2&1/2 yrs after stopping the pill. During this time my periods never really returned to any regular pattern and I was told that this was probably due to pcos as I had other symptoms too.

We did manage to conceive naturally after one year but unfortunately this pregnancy ended early in miscarriage, for which I needed an ERPC.

Following this we were referred to the fertility clinic and one of the first tests I had done was a HSG. Personally I didn't find the procedure any more uncomfortable than a smear. I took some pain killers before and had some mild cramps for a very short time after. My tubes weren't blocked but they did find some small adhesions in my uterus that they thought were probably due to the ERPC.

I ovulated 4/5 days after the HSG and conceived again the same month. I am now 35 weeks pregnant and currently in hospital waiting to be induced in the morning after my waters broke prematurely a few days ago. I saw a Consultant during my pregnancy due to some other complications and he said the HSG had acted like a 'chimney sweep'!

Personally I would go for the HSG first and wouldn't let the possibility of it being an unpleasant procedure put you off because you never know.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Thanks emelyne, that is very helpful. It doesn't sound too bad the way you describe it. I guess it will put my mind at rest as well if they do the test now.

My HSG test felt a bit uncomfortable at the time but not overtly so. It should not hurt provided the dye is injected both slowly and carefully. HSG is a useful test to have done because it is a tubal x-ray; deformities INSIDE the tube can only be seen on such a test so it gives information not normally accessible by other methods.

I was also given some painkillers beforehand and they helped. I would also suggest you wear sanitary protection afterwards as that dye does come out (its about a teaspoonful that is used).

Were you previously monitored whilst on clomid, I hope you were!. Clomid should always be given with a degree of caution to PCOSers as they can become clomid resistant. Also monitoring (with both blood tests and ultrasounds preferably) is essential as this drug can increase LH levels; as many PCOSers have an excess of LH to start with, it should be used with caution to such women.

Usually clomid is used for a maximum of six months after which time other treatments are tried. I would also be asking them what they intend to do next in the event of clomid not actually working.

emelyne, I forgot to say, good luck with the induction!

Atilla, I have not been on clomid before. The whole process only just started, with progesterone tests first and then another appointment to discuss starting clomid. Thanks for the info!

Like Emelyne I am sure having hycosy (similar to HSG) helped us get our long awaited bfp - it is known to increase chances of conceiving for a few months, so doing it as you start clomid could give you a double fertility boost.

Having the dye injected hurt for a few seconds but nothing much, the cramps afterwards were a bit worse than a period so take painkillers beforehand and plan an evening on the sofa with a hot water bottle. I'm certainly glad to have done it now though!

Thanks, Jess. I didn't know there might actually be advantages to doing it! I think I'll have it done before I start clomid then.

That's what our consultant said, and it seemed to work for us (BFP on the 3rd cycle afterwards). Basically the dye flushes out the cervix and tubes making them a bit easier to swim through! Good luck!