HyCosy or no HyCosy?

[pixiecircle]

We heard back from our fertility tests that everything looked good on both mine and my partner’s side (apart from some elevated round cells).

The consultant asked if we wanted to do a hycosy but also told us that no matter the outcome, our recommended next step would be IVF (i.e. if tubes are closed = IVF, if tubes are open = either carry on trying which hasn’t worked, or IVF). So she kinda swayed us into thinking there’s no benefit to getting it done.

I know some people say it increases their fertility for 3 months after, but also I don’t want to waste any more time and push back our inevitable IVF referral.

Also is it weird I haven’t had any day 3 tests? I’ve only had day 21 and also a random day AMH test.

Hi OP, I'm due to start IVF shortly. I did have a HyCosy. I'm pleased that I had it because it reassured me that my tubes are open so there is always a chance that I could conceive naturally. I (obviously!) Didn't notice any increased fertility. I also haven't had any day 3 blood tests. I guess maybe not everywhere does them. I totally get you wanting to move on with the referral though.

Our consultant had the same conversation with us, and we decided to skip and get referred straight for IVF. Part of me would like just to know for sure if there is any issue, but having waited so long we didn't want to delay any further. Our consultant said there may be a very minor increase in fertility for a few months, but the procedure also carries a small risk of damaging your tubes. Overall I'm happy we pressed ahead - that conversation was in July, and I'm in my TWW now!

Hey OP,

As someone else about to start IVF , i totally understand the logic of if the outcome is likely to be the IVF either way why you would consider not having it.

For me there would have always that “what if” … what if it could uncover something that could be causing an issue for example a blockage or something it could resolved by the procedure itself or surgery.

I would have rather resolved the root cause of an issue than go to IVF if it was possible.

That being said it really depends on your own personal situation , how long you have been trying etc and by how much it could delay potential IVF so not an easy decision to make and very personal in that sense.

I am glad I had mine as it gave me peace of mind but it didn’t create any miracles for us either.

Best of luck whatever you decide :)

I would recommend doing it just for your personal benefit that you are informed about your body. As part of the process, it can potentially "flush open" blocked tubes so for some people that's all it needs. In any case it can provide you a clear view of everything so you know your chances of natural pregnancy for reference. Good luck

Thanks so much everyone — I think I am leaning more towards going for it!!

Was it about the same uncomfortable-ness as a smear test, or do you think more? Did you take painkillers beforehand? I am so nervous about it!

We've been actively trying for over 2 years, but not been on any contraception (just pull out method) for around 8 years...

@Msrivia was this your first IVF cycle? Good luck lovely 💕 What DPO are you?

@Jellysweet @Loulou2202 Good luck with starting IVF ladies ✨ how long after the hycosy did you wait to get referred? Or did you get referred straight after your results?

@pixiecircle I would highly recommend having it done. Your IVF referral can be started and be in process and you can get your hycosy done in the meantime. I was due to start IVF in June, had a hycosy in April on day 10 ish of my cycle and after 15 months of trying and with MFI, I got my BFP in May. I had clear tubes and I barely felt the hycosy - it really was totally fine and I am not great with pain. It's different for everyone but they're really supportive as they know everyone can react differently and I think it's worth ticking off prior to starting IVF. Really surprised you've not had day 3 bloods as thought this was mandatory for fertility clinic referral. You should also get that done. Best of luck!

Congrats @FlyOnTheWall89 !!! What a beautiful miracle! Thank you, I’ve just emailed them back requesting all 3: hycosy, IVF and day 3 bloods!

Best of luck OP! First cycle for me, I'm 2dpo. My consultant wouldn't apply for CCG funding until we had results back from all tests so that's why hycosy would have held us up (and there was a 3 month wait for it), but it's probably different in each area.

@pixiecircle thank you!

I had my hycosy, which was all clear , followed by 6 months of Letrozole and then my IVF referral after that.

The hycosy was a pre - requisite of my Letrozole treatment ( plus I requested to have one ) and if remember rightly I had it done within 2 months so it was quite quick in the grand scheme of things.

Immediately after my hycosy I was given the option of proceeding with my IVF application or trying naturally for longer. It was pretty uncomfortable for me to be honest but it didn’t last long and was bearable.

So they have swayed heavily against hycosy and mentioned the risk of infection, and that if we are going through with IVF we may as well not have the hycosy.

Not sure what to think

@pixiecircle I would recommend going ahead - it's not a given you'll need IVF.... a HSG was highly recommended before we started IVF - the risk of infection is not high at all and easily treatable if you do get something. In fact im sure they gave me some tablets before I left the hospital just to take incase of infection. I would push for it if I were you....

@pixiecircle just wanted to hop on here to say I had a HyCoSy about 2 weeks ago & it was very uncomfortable, then got a urine infection. I had slight spotting for a few days after. Anyway I'm not trying to put your off but it was good to have it done to see my tubes were all clear. I also had it done back in 2018 before I started clomid. It worked but ended in MC, moved onto successful IVF. I don't think my consultant would have recommended to start clomid or ivf later down the line had I not had the tubes checked.

I would also recommend painkillers before the procedure, it's just like a smear but with a liquid flushing the tubes.

My clinic wouldn't do a HyCoSy due to my chlamydia antibodies being negative. It really pissed me off actually as it seems they've gone from doing usual baseline bloods and one USS to suggesting IVF without checking for anything else.

In the end I went private, mainly for peace of mind and to know that if the IVF isn't successful then there might still be a chance for natural conception if my tubes were open. It cost £500 which I luckily had in savings, was very straightforward and painless and showed that everything looked normal. That was in December and I'm not pregnant but the main reason was for more thorough checking not aiding conception anyway, so I'm still happy for the outcome. Like the previous poster said, I was given an antibiotic to take afterwards.

It's completely up to you about what you do going forward, but for me, the tiny chance of IVF working vs having something done that could give me more information was worth getting it done. And definitely question the day 3 bloods- even my rubbish clinic have done that!

@WildForTheNight can I ask what is this day 3 blood test everyone talks about? My clinic suggested day 21 but never mentioned day 3. Also my HyCoSy was £600 and now have to pay £150 for the day 21 blood test (I'm on Letrozole). These private consultants can just pluck prices out the sky! It's all fun and games isn't it.

@FETmum day 3 bloods check a whole host of different things. It was at least 2 pages of different things. It's standard in the UK to need a day 3 and day 21 test prior to fertility referral.

Definitely look into doing it privately @pixiecircle but really the NHS should do it if you're going down the IVF route with them. I don't see why you wouldn't check if your tubes are blocked especially given the heightened chance post HSG.

@FETmum For me (and I think for most others from chatting) day 3 bloods test follicle stimulating hormone/FSH, luteinising hormone/LH and oestradiol. It gives you a better picture of your ovarian reserve and PCOS, I think. Have a quick Google if you want more info, there's loads out there. You're so right about the costs 😞are you entitled to any NHS funding or will it all have to be private?

I just went in for another ultrasound because I have a posterior ovary… the nurse said she wouldn’t recommend a hycosy. I am going to do some research of clinics and do it privately… Any recommendations?? Or did you just go with your local fertility clinic?

They also said day 3 bloods weren’t required for the IVF referral? So much conflicting info I’m feeling quite overwhelmed by it all… also on CD1 today so not feeling particularly great!!

@WildForTheNight I know the cost of everything sucks! We went NHS the first time, that introduced us to our now consultant. We were successful because of him with our IVF miracle. (We paid for the ivf though). So I don't think I'd be eligible for another referral NHS sadly. Currently on first month of Letrozole after a failed ivf fresh transfer for #2.

For those of you considering IVF I would recommend watching Alex Jones Fertility, it's excellent & gives you such a glimpse of the highs and lows.

baby dust to you all

@FETmum I was watching it today, crying!!! So good and informative.

@pixiecircle perhaps it varies by CCG but we tried for 15 months and I spoke to a lot of people and didn't hear of anyone who didn't need day 3 tests.... there are so many things it tests for. FSH, LH, oestradiol level (?), some antibodies are tested for, blood count etc etc. what is the cause of the posterior ovary? We were referred via the NHS - south west London based. It was quick and efficient. The only thing I did privately was my OH saw a top urologist (£280 initial consultation, followed by £1000 in tests which we ended up doing on our private HC) as the NHS basically do no investigations / do not provide any help re male factor infertility and I had my AMH tested (£110ish) which showed it was a little low for my age. To be referred, we needed to have tired for a year and then I had day 3, day 21 bloods, STI tests on both sides and semen analysis. I would ask for specific reasons why they won't give you a HSG... can't see how a posterior ovary would make them say no, but I guess some clarity might help you understand this better before making the next move. Having a plan helped me so much and made me feel like at least when we were not getting pregnant month after month, we were heading in the right direction with tests etc.

Late to the party but just to add that I’m getting a hycosy through the NHS this week.

I’m so old for IVF through the NHS but I was referred to the fertility clinic & had a blood tests (I had day 5 & 21) plus chlamydia test to reduce risk of infection following the hycosy.

We’ve been trying for a year and we’re 38 so time is ticking on. If no joy after 3 months post hycosy then we’re going for IVF privately.

I was so silly to think I’d be pregnant in month 1!

Hi just came across this post…. My now pregnant friend just told me about the hycosy test. I’ve just finished 1 round of ivf and got 3 good embryos, 2 failed and one still on ice. My clinic suggested I get some tests done to see if there are any issues down there so I had the endomeTRIO Emma and Alice scratch and some bloods taken…, there has never been any mention of this hycosy flush? I am due to get my results from the recent tests back so I’ll mention the hycosy flush and see why it wasn’t offered to me. Is it because I fell pregnant last year naturally ? (Ended in MC) Maybe that’s why…. Something obvs working down there and maybe that’s why they didn’t offer me it??. but either way. I’m questioning it. My pal (who is now preg 7 months) was told she wasn’t ovulating and pushed to ivf route, she did the hycosy and 2 months later fell pregnant naturally after 3 years of trying… anyway. Not sure what the point of my post is but wondering if I should opt to get this test done too. I’ve got one left on ice and we don’t plan on doing another round so it would be good to know if I’ve got any issues that could be causing me implantation challenges..

Hey, it was explained to me as a check on the fallopian tubes and the journey the egg would take to get to the uterus therefore irrelevant if you’re having an ivf transfer.

However, it’s very odd it wasn’t suggested before you went onto have IVF so I would mention it to your consultant just in case there are other benefits. At my clinic they are around £600 a pop or I had mine through the NHS within a 6week wait.

Thanks for your response. Yes it is odd that it wasn’t mentioned …. I’m finding that with these clinics thou… the information you want, you have to go looking for it. It’s not always offered up! And if it is offered, it’s too late and then you’re being talking into going another round. I wish I had all tests done before I started my ivf journey and not after I’d lost two very good embryos. I’ve got my call with the consultant on Monday so I’ll be asking lots of questions then…

I fell pregnant immediately after my dye test ( after 17 years trying with no luck)
Early loss. I 100% credit the dye test.