Hysterosalpingogram!

If you’re a woman trying to have a baby, you probably know that there are many parts of your body that have to work just right. Your ovaries need to produce an egg every month, called ovulation, your uterus has to be in good shape, and your fallopian tubes have to be open. If anyone of these important parts isn’t functioning correctly, you might have trouble getting pregnant.
If your fallopian tubes are blocked, sperm won’t be able to reach your egg or the fertilized egg won’t be able to get into your uterus. Blocked tubes can happen for several different reasons, but no matter the cause, your doctor will diagnose it with a test called a hysterosalpingogram.
Hysterosalpingogram (hsg) - A hysterosalpingogram or hsg is an x-ray procedure performed to determine whether the fallopian tubes are open and to see if the shape of the uterine cavity is normal. An hsg is an outpatient procedure that takes less than one half-hour to perform. It is usually done after menses have ended, but before ovulation, to prevent interference with an early pregnancy.
Hysterosalpingography can help diagnose the following causes of infertility.

• Structural abnormalities in the uterus, which may be congenital (genetic) or acquired
• Blockage of the fallopian tubes
• Scar tissue in the uterus
• Uterine fibroids
• Uterine tumors or polyps

How is a hysterosalpingogram done?
A patient is positioned under a fluoroscope (a real-time x-ray imager) on a table. The gynecologist or radiologist then examines her uterus and places a speculum in her vagina. Her cervix is cleaned, and a device (cannula) is placed into the opening of the cervix. The physician then gently fills the uterus with a liquid containing iodine (contrast) through the cannula. The contrast then enters the tubes, outlines the length of the tubes, and spills out their ends if they are open. Any abnormalities in the uterine cavity or fallopian tubes will be
Visible on a monitor. The hsg is not designed to evaluate the ovaries or diagnose endometriosis. Frequently, side views of the uterus and tubes are obtained by having the patient change her position on the table. After the hsg, a patient can immediately resume normal activities, although some physicians ask that the woman refrains from intercourse for a few days.

Risks and side effects-

• Mild pain during or after the procedure.
• Light bleeding for two to three days following the procedure.
• Feeling of light-headedness or faintness during or after the procedure.
• Exposure to a small amount of radiation

Test results-
A radiologist will look at the x-ray images and send a report to your doctor. Your doctor will talk about the results with you and explain if more tests are needed. It may show a complete normal report suggesting bilateral tubal patency and a good uterine cavity. In case, if a pathology is suspected like blocked single tube/ both tubes, an irregular filling defect in the uterine cavity necessary management can be advised accordingly. It's relatively a safe and cheap alternative to laparoscopy surgery. However, a hystero-laparoscopy is the gold standard for evaluation of the entire female genital tract as it is not only diagnostic but also corrective in case if pathology is diagnosed in the same sitting.
If the report shows that your fallopian tubes are blocked, you might need a procedure called a laparoscopy. It lets your doctor look directly at the fallopian tubes. She may also recommend in vitro fertilization (IVF. Your doctor will talk to you about your options and help you make the decision that is best for you.