One of the most significant joys in life happens to be childbirth. The sensation of holding a newly born infant in the arms is just amazing. The proper term used for describing such feelings happens to be “euphoria”. In case you have become parents in recent times, you are sure to comprehend this sensation.
However, you will come across some couples that are not able to experience this happiness. They are not able to conceive in spite of trying again and again. There are many causes for infertility and there are likewise many treatments for this condition. HSG happens to be one such treatment.
What is HSG?
An HSG (hysterosalpingogram) is actually a process that checks the uterus of any women by using an x-ray to verifying whether the fallopian tubes are unobstructed.
The procedure of x-ray consists of administering an iodine dye into the uterus through the cervix for taking pictures. In fact, it takes less than 10 minutes to perform the entire process and there is no need to be concerned about it.
How will HSG be performed?
It will be recommended by your physician that the HSG test is performed between days 1 & 14 during the initial half of the cycle. This happens to be following your period before ovulating to make certain that you are not going to become pregnant.
One must not perform this test on any pregnant woman since the x-ray and the procedure can result in miscarriage or severe complications.
Being an outpatient process, it is possible to complete HSG in the clinic of your gynecologist with the help of a fluoroscope, an x-ray imager. The doctor is going to make the cervix clean following inserting a speculum, and then he will be inserting a cannula which happens to be a thin tube.
After this, the uterus is going to be filled with a fluid consisting of iodine before the removal of the speculum such that x-ray images can be taken by the doctor. The iodine dye is going to contrast with the fallopian tubes and the uterus depicting an outline and the manner in which the liquid is going to move through them.
How long will it require performing an HSG?
The procedure is going to last for around 10 minutes and the doctor might provide you with antibiotics and pain medications for minimizing the risk of any infection. Although it will be possible for you to leave shortly, you should have someone to accompany you to your place.
A radiologist is going to look at the e-ray pictures later on, and he will dispatch a complete report to the physician. This type of test happens to be a diagnostic test and is covered by insurance in most cases.
Is it possible to become pregnant following an HSG test?
During this test, usually, iodine dye is being injected by means of the cervix into the uterus for taking X-ray images. The dye offers clear pictures to the physician after reaching the fallopian tubes. In this way, they are able to comprehend the reason for infertility with enhanced precision.
In case there is any obstruction or injuries within the tubes, it will be shown by the images taken. This helps the doctors to find the actual cause of infertility and make treatments accordingly.
In fact, the rate of pregnancy after this type of test is thought to be about twice or thrice more as compared to females who have not gone through this test. However, the HSG test is not considered to be a treatment for infertility, and it is actually performed to comprehend the reasons for being infertile.
Fortunately, the majority of the females become pregnant following conducting this test. However, the reasons for this are not known yet. Undergoing this test and getting pregnant might be some sort of coincidence in the long run.
It might be because of some unknown reason while conducting the test. However, it can get the job done and is therefore worth the cost.
HSG test with an oil-based or water-based contrast
A portion of the HSG test consists of injecting the iodine dye through her cervix into the woman’s uterus. This is performed to make the X-ray clear so that the physician will be able to identify whether there is any potential injury or obstruction within the cervix.
It will be possible for the technician to view the shape of the uterus very clearly following injecting the iodine dye. Nevertheless, there is one more function for this particular contrast, and it happens to be tubal flushing.
This implies that the injected dye also helps to clear any obstruction thus helping the sperm to get to the ovum.
In this way, the sperm will be able to fertilize the egg and the possibilities of pregnancy will be enhanced. There will be no need of taking the X-ray later on in case tubal flushing is performed for the purpose of therapy. It is possible to perform tubal flushing with oil-soluble, water-soluble, or even combined contrasts.
There will be an enhancement in the rates of pregnancy when a combined contrast or water-soluble contrast is employed. Nevertheless, making use of oil-soluble contrast can result in pregnancy. The odds for the couples who have gone through this process have increased by about 20%.
Below, we have answered some common queries that most couples might have out there.
Can eggs be affected by the x-ray?
The eggs are in a condition of maturation arrest at all times prior to the commencement of the fertilization. While the x-ray process is conducted, a very less amount of radiation passes through the female’s body which does not cause any damage to the eggs in any manner.
Moreover, it does not cause any harm to the developing fetus.
Can the embryo, the eggs, or the fetus be harmed by the dye?
The fetus can be harmed by the dye in case it is injected at the time of pregnancy. Nevertheless, it will not cause any harm to the embryo or the eggs in any manner. The process will not harm the baby in any manner.
Why are the chances of pregnancy increased by an HSG test?
The main objective of injecting the iodine dye into the uterus is to get clear x-ray images of the fallopian tubes and the uterus of the woman. However, it might even result in fertilization.
Once the dye reaches the fallopian tubes, it gets rid of any obstruction that might have taken place and helps the sperm to get to the fallopian tubes. This is referred to as tubal flushing which can enhance the possibilities of getting fertile.
Despite the fact that tubal flushing is quite tough to do while conducting the HSG test and is actually performed in laparoscopy, at times, it helps to flush out any obstruction resulting in pregnancy.
What are the side effects of HSG?
According to some females, they have suffered from light spotting following the test; stomach discomfort, minor cramps, as well as dizziness might likewise take place. Other severe side effects might include the following:
• Fainting
• Vaginal discharge
• Vomiting
• Severe abdominal cramping or pain
• Fever
• Heavy bleeding from the vagina
Get in touch with your physician immediately in case you are experiencing these conditions. Although HSG is thought to be a risk-free process it might lead to injury to the uterus, pelvic infection, and so on. In case oil-based materials are employed, the blockage might likewise take place.
Verdict
In fact, an HSG is going to be amongst the first tests recommended by your doctor in case you are finding it difficult to conceive. The physician can also recommend this test in case you have experienced in excess of 2 miscarriages.
A uterus that is shaped abnormally is usually responsible for around 10% of repetitive pregnancy losses. A laparoscopy will probably be conducted by your doctor in case it depicts tubal blockage.
In vitro fertilization can likewise be recommended since it can assist you to conceive by bypassing the fallopian tubes completely.
As a matter of fact, some females have more chances of becoming pregnant naturally following the test. It might be because of tubal flushing from the contrast fluid which happens to be oil-based.
How soon should you try to conceive following an HSG? Although you should stick to the instructions of your doctor, it will be risk-free to try within a few days.
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Mother of Two children. I’m a former teacher with a background in child development and a passion for Good parenting. I understand child development and know how to develop activities to help children learn and grow. Spare time, I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and volunteering in my community.