HSG : Risks and Alternatives

If you are allergic to Iodine , sea food or have had bad HSG experience earlier, you can ask your doctor for sonohysterogram procedure.
This is less painful than HSG. In contrast to the Iodine dye , they use saline water to inflate the uterus. This procedure can also detect abnormalities in the Uterus. Also while HSG uses X-Ray , the sonohysterogram uses ultrasound , and is more accurate than HSG.

Common symptoms after HSG test :
Some women have reported bleeding , fever persisting for few days after having done HSG. While this is normal in most cases , but if the symptoms persist , you should meet your doctor.


Other rare symptoms after HSG :
1. HSG might cause inflammation of the lining of the uterus , report if you have persistent fever, lower abdominal pain, and bleeding.
2. HSG might cause cramping ( take ibuprofen before HSG test to reduce the pain ).
3. HSG might cause inflammation of the fallopian tubes ( report if you have vaginal discharge )

These are treatable and your doctor might recommend you antibiotics for the treatment of the above symptoms.

The test must not be done ( or not useful ) for women who have :

1. Pelvic Infection
2. Pregnant
3. Contracted fallopian tube


When should the doctor ask for HSG test ?
The doctor must determine other infertility variables like TSH , Progestrone , LH , FSH , AMH before going for HSG test.
If these variables do not signal a definite cause for infertility , they will ask for a HSG report before determining the future course.

What are the chances for pregnancy after HSG test ?
Some women have reported pregnancy after having undergone HSG test.  It might be because of small obstructions getting cleaned by the iodine dye. However it has only temporary effect lasting for 2-3 months. HSG is only a diagnostic procedure and not a fertility treatment method.

Consent form for HSG.
Some countries have made consent form mandatory for patients undergoing the HSG test. This is to make the patient aware of the risk of HSG treatment.


Precautions before HSG test:
1. Explain you current medication to the doctor. Most of the infertile woman are also suffering from PCOS , and normally take Glyciphage ( metformin ) tablets for decreasing total and free testosterone , as well as increasing the androgens to regularize menstrual cycles.
2. If you are diabetic , since the HSG dye can interfere with kidney functions.
3. Take sanitary pads for possible after leakage of dye
4. If severe cramping occurs , ensure that the diagnostic facility have rest rooms for you to lie down a while.


Another option is to have the HSG test is having it under anesthesia ( to avoid the pain during the procedure ).
You may also want to read some experiences on HSG Procedure with anesthesia  & without anesthesia.


Related Posts : 

Pregnancy after HSG-Myth or Reality
HSG Procedure , The Need , The Pain & Pregnancy
Getting Pregnant is just the starting of a risky and long journey.