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Conception

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Original poster

HSG - what sorts of things can I expect them to find?

27 replies

beanieb · 03/03/2009 18:50

I am booked in for an HSG next week and am not scared about how painful it may or not be as I have read a lot of the other threads and am pretty sure I will be relaxed so don't need to hear that much about other people's experience while having it - but I am interested to know what sorts of things the exam is likely to discover.

I have a fear that they will either find nothing or something so bad that there is nothing they can do.

Can anyone who has had an HSG tell me what their diagnosis was and what they then had to have done to fix it, or not if they discovered nothing untoward.

thank you in advance. x

OP posts:
jazzandh · 03/03/2009 19:11

I had one - as before I had DS I was diagnosed with a lap and dye as having blocked tube.

I am sure that the lap and dye helped me conceive DS, so when I approached Dr with secondary infertility and mentioned this he was happy to go along with checking tubes again with HSG.

This showed no blockage - I believe pressure of the dye can unblock them!

I did get pregnant a month later (my primary reason for going along ). Unfortunately it was a blighted ovum

I am convinced that clearing my tubes through helped me conceive on both occasions.

Best of luck.

Original poster
beanieb · 03/03/2009 19:19

thank you Jazzandh. A part of me is hoping that there will be something easily fixable or even that the HSG itself will unblock me a bit. Sorry to hear about your blighted ovum. x

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HeadFairy · 03/03/2009 19:20

I had one in Oct '06. It was rather painful for me, I was paranoid that it was because there was a blockage. However my results came back clear. My doc did suggest that there might have been some gunk (her word) in my tubes and the hsg cleared it out. Whatever, I concieved ds 2 cycles later. Not everyone's is painful, but I just wanted to reassure you that if it is uncomfortable that doesn't mean anything is wrong.

helenlouisey · 03/03/2009 19:21

Hi Beanieb

I an HSG which showed that both my tubes were completely clear, I had a laparoscopy a few months later as the HSG had shown nothing. The laparoscopy discovered I had endometriosis which was lasered away and we conceived the following month Good luck for next week.

Original poster
beanieb · 03/03/2009 19:23

thanks headfairy. I am one of these fortunate people who doesn't have painful periods so I don't really know what to expect when people say it's like having period pain and am hoping that I will go with the flow, no pun intended!

I am wondering about the fact that a few years ago I had to have a smear repeated because the nurse told me I had a small cervix and if I should tell them this or if it may be a reasn for my difficulty in conceiving. I'm not entirely sure what they mean by a small cervix though! I have small ears too but very big feet so maybe I am a freak of nature .

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Original poster
beanieb · 03/03/2009 19:25

thank you helenlouisey - it's really encouraging to hear other people's success stories

Do they suggest a laparoscopy as a matter of course if there is nothing showing after an HSG? Perhaps I need to start looking that up on the internet and scaring myself .

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helenlouisey · 03/03/2009 19:29

I'm not sure to be honest beanieb, but after the HSG came back clear, all my scans showed I was ovulating and my husband tests were all good, so the laparoscopy was the next thing to try and find out what was wrong. There is quite a bit of info on my consultants website if you are interested www.92harleystreet.com/reproductive_surgery.html

HeadFairy · 03/03/2009 19:31

beanieb, you are my double, I have giant feed and tiny ears. I thought I was the only one

If it is painful, it doesn't last long. It's purely because when they inject the dye in it expands your tubes slightly. It did make me yell out a bit, but the second they stopped injecting the dye it went. It's worth gritting your teeth because it's quite common that people conceive pretty soon after having one, if that's what you want. I'm presuming it is, otherwise you wouldn't be having the hsg.

Original poster
beanieb · 03/03/2009 19:36

yes - it is

thanks for the link Helenlouisey, will check it out.

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babyboom1979 · 03/03/2009 20:45

Hi beanieb,

I had one in August 08 and was in and out in 10 minutes pain free!

They discovered that while my left tube filled up quickly my right one took longer for the die to enter. This is most likely due to an appendix operation which left behind scar tissue that has (possibly)altered the shape of my right tube. Therefore, I am at a higher risk for an ectopic so have to get scans as soon as I fall pregnant.

The worst case scenario is that they find your tubes are blocked and IVF is the likely next step. Best case is that they are clear and all is fine! If the dye takes longer to enter it may mean you are at a higher risk of ectopic pregnancy.

I did fall pregnant the month after the HSG so good luck to you! It ended up being a blighted ovum but that had nothing to do with the test so don't worry. Many women get BFPs after the procedure.

Hope it goes well

Original poster
beanieb · 03/03/2009 20:48

Thanks Babyboom, I am so pleased that I am finally having the investigations but worried about my options as I am 39 and missed free IVF by a couple of months so am hoping there will be other tests and procedures I can have on the NHS before it's too late.

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OracleInaCoracle · 03/03/2009 20:53

beanie, the most common "find" witha HSG is scar tissue/blockage in the tubes. the doc can clear the blockage (if its not too bad) using the dye, and you can get pg straight after. it kind of flushes things out. hope it goes well!!

Original poster
beanieb · 03/03/2009 20:56

thank you

I am just hoping that because I don't have painful periods and all my previous scans have come back ok perhaps all I need is the HSG to shift things a bit.

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OracleInaCoracle · 03/03/2009 20:58

tis entirely possible. did your cons mention any other possiible tests?

MrsTittleMouse · 03/03/2009 21:05

I had a questionable result from an HSG. Apparently I had a kink in one of my tubes. It wasn't enough to diagnose a definite problem though (as the dye leaked out on both sides), and I conceived without anything being done about it. I too was told that an HSG increases fertility as it really does clear out the tubes.

I was told to take painkillers (the kind for period pain) before I had the test - I don't know how much it helped, but the pain wasn't as bad as I'd dreaded. It certainly wouldn't do any harm to try it.

Original poster
beanieb · 03/03/2009 21:21

lissielou I have had a blood test (can't remember the name but it's fairly new) to check my egg reserves but have decided not to phone for the results as I'd rather have them at the same time as my appointment to discuss the HSG results. I kind of want all the possible badnews at the same time so I can get it over with in one go rather than get possibly two lots of bad news if that makes sense.

Clomid was mentioned at the first consultation but am not sure if they will give it to me as I had a fairly high result on my last hormone test and because of my age they might not want to give me fertility drugs because it could bring on early menopause. I hope to discuss all tis with them after the HSG.

mrsTittleMouse that's encouraging. I am plannign to take some painkillers before I go.

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MrsTittleMouse · 04/03/2009 08:03

I'm sure they've done this, but just wanted to check - they have done a sperm test too, haven't they? The other common test to do is to do an ultrasound at the time that you ovulate. They will look for the ripe follicle and also for a thick lining in your uterus - it will check whether the timing of your cycle is good and whether your uterus is prepared for an embryo to implant.

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you.

Original poster
beanieb · 04/03/2009 19:14

They have done a sperm test, or at least OH had one done last year. They've not suggested repeating it but they might do if this comes back clear.

I had an internal scan right near when I was ovulating (coincidentally() and they seemed to think all was fine, also have had another scan which showed I folicle.

My HSG is happening on CD19 because of some kind of backlog of appointments. Does it matter at all that I am not having it between day 5 and 10? They have told me not to have sex this month

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pinkpeony · 04/03/2009 19:41

You're supposed to have HSG before you ovulate, just to be 100% sure you are not pregnant when you do the procedure as x-ray could affect very young fetus. So after ovulation ok so long as you are sure you are not pregnant. They say no sex after just in case egg is affected by xrays too, but have seen women on this site who got pregnant same cycle as HSG and everything was fine, so wouldn't worry too much. Just avoid for a few days if you are sore. I think they told me no sex a couple of days before as well.
I had HSG in June 08, was not very comfortable or dignified but procedure went fine and was quick, came out all clear, and fell pregnant naturally 2 months later - am now 28 weeks. Good luck.

Original poster
beanieb · 04/03/2009 20:06

I'm having it on CD 19 and my period usually comes about CD23/24 so am not expecting to have sex at all this cycle, not until after my next period. Maybe I'll be one of the lucky ones who get pregnant very soon after.

Just had a little cry on my OH, not because I am scared of the procedure but because I am scared of the results. I almost hope there is something wrong so they can fix it.

Again it's really nice to hear a positive story

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MrsTittleMouse · 04/03/2009 20:53

It sounds as though your doctors are on the ball. I really hope that it works out for you.

Original poster
beanieb · 05/03/2009 16:44

hi all... sorry to bump this again - I feel like I am being so obsessed

I have been reading some info on-line about the HSG and have come accross this info they say:

"When is the procedure done?The timing of this test is very important. It needs to be performed early on in the menstrual cycle before the lining of the uterus becomes too thick (developed) and also before ovulation - to make sure that this test is not done at a time that you may conceivably be pregnant. Therefore, the best time to do the HSG is before day 12 of your menstrual cycle. The HSG cannot be done during your period. So there is only a small window of time every month that it can be done. (i.e. after your period is complete - but before day 12 of your cycle"

and then go on to say

"What happens if the X ray department cannot accommodate an HSG during this window of time?If there is a problem in scheduling the procedure during this important window of time, we may ask you to take the birth control pill for 2?3 weeks. The Pill should be started on the third day of your period. The birth control pill will suppress ovulation and also keep the uterine lining thin. It is a perfect time to do an HSG because there is no risk of pregnancy, the lining of the uterus is thin, and the risk of infection may be lower. The HSG can then be scheduled at any time while you are on the Pill. After your HSG has been done you can stop the Pill ? and you will have a period. This strategy avoids the frustration of potentially waiting month after month until the HSG can be done"

I am a bit worried because I am having mine on Day 19 of a 24/25 day cycle and assume that the lining will be very thick by then.

Shouldn't they have scheduled the HSG for then?

I am quite worried that by having this done at this point in my cycle they may be doing something wrong?

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Original poster
beanieb · 05/03/2009 17:10

I've just called the IVF clinic and they say that for their purposes an HSG done that late may not be a good idea but it depends on if they want to look at my uterous or not. They are going to call me back tomorrow and let me know, by which time I probably would have ovulated and so this moth will not only be a complete wipeout but it will have been a complete wipeout for absolutely no reason at all apart from the fact that the person who made the appointment in the first place is an idiot.

So why is this process so hard again!

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Kitesurfgirl · 31/01/2012 19:28

Hi all, sorry for the bump but I've been referred for this procedure and I'm worried about the risks :S Given that you all went through it 3 years ago or so, can anyone tell me if they were recommended at all not to have it? I'm concerned about needlessly damaging my tubes :S . Bloods and semen tests have all come back clear. I had a mmc last year at 17 weeks, so in theory I'm thinking my tubes can' be blocked? But I did take a long take to conceive that time, and we've been trying ever since the miscarriage but with no success.

Do you have to have an HSG to qualify for IVF?

eurochick · 31/01/2012 21:50

Most of the long term ttcers have had one. For me it was rather undignified - splayed on the bed bits out with three people in the room - but painless. Some people have experienced some pain with it.

What risks are you concerned about? Like any medical procedure, it is possible for something to go wrong but I've been around these boards for a long time and I haven't seen anyone have major problems from one. Some people have had pain afterwards (like cramps) and some bleeding but nothing major.

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