Hysterosalpingogram (hsg)

Women experiencing infertility may have a hysterosalpingogram (HSG) recommended to them by their doctor or infertility specialist. This is a test performed by X-ray that can help your doctor see inside of your uterus and fallopian tubes. The surrounding area can be examined and can give your doctor a more clear view of what may be hindering you from becoming pregnant.

During a hysterosalpingogram, your doctor will inject a dye through your cervix and into your uterus. The dye is called a contrast material. It allow your infertility doctor see irregularities in your uterine cavity or fallopian tubes more clearly on an X-ray. The dye will travel through your uterus and up into your fallopian tubes. If your fallopian tubes are clear and there is no blockage, then the dye will spill out into your abdominal cavity. Occasionally the HSG procedure will clear a blockage out of a fallopian tube.

If your fallopian tube or tubes are determined to be blocked, then there are more options for clearing them that your infertility doctor will discuss with you. Fallopian tubes are usually blocked at one end or the other. A blockage at the uterus end of the tube is considered proximal and a blockage at the ovary end is called distal. You may have a partial blockage, or there may be a tubal defect. Your doctor will let you know what he/she sees in the HSG X-ray.

Your uterine cavity will also be examined in the hysterosalpingogram. Your doctor will be looking for abnormalities such as fibroid tumors, adhesions, polyps, scar tissues or congenital deformities. An HSG is usually performed for women experiencing infertility, but it can also be used to check for the effectiveness of a tubal ligation or a reverse tubal ligation. If you’ve lost a contraceptive, such as an IUD, then your doctor may perform a hysterosalpingogram to find the lost object in your uterus.

A hysterosalpingogram is a minimally invasive procedure. Your doctor will place a speculum into your vagina and then insert a catheter into your cervix. The speculum is then removed and the dye will fill your uterine cavity. X-rays are taken and observed for clarity and quality. You may be asked to lie still for a bit so that a delayed response X-ray can be taken. You may experience mild discomfort during and after the procedure, but these effects usually don’t last long. Your doctor should discuss all possible outcomes with you prior to the procedure.

Hysterosalpingography examines the inside of your uterine cavity and fallopian tubes. Your doctor may also suggest an MRI or ultrasound to examine the outside structures of the uterus, ovaries and your entire pelvic region. Make sure that you ask questions and feel comfortable with the information available before you go forward with any infertility treatment.

On occasion a patient, nurse or doctor has offered kind words about Dr. Eric Daiter in their testimonials. Here is one for you to consider when choosing your infertility specialist.

My first impression of Dr Eric Daiter was that he was a very kind hearted person with a passion for what he was doing. He treated my husband and me with the utmost respect. He examined me and asked a lot of questions regarding my history. He explained things to us in great detail and in simple terms that we could understand. He wrote everything down for us and gave us additional documentation to read regarding tests and treatments. He spent as much time as we needed, answered all of our questions and walked us to the door. He never rushed us or made us feel that any of our questions were too stupid to ask. It was the first time that I didn’t feel like I had 30 seconds to present my problem and 3 minutes of the doctor’s time before I was out the door. Infertility is a delicate subject and a problem for many couples. It takes a special personality to be able to handle this in a delicate way with compassion and professionalism. Dr Daiter does this. He made me feel like I was not alone. He let me know that there was a lot that can be done to facilitate pregnancy today and that there definitely was hope for us. Although my age was a factor, Dr Daiter never made me feel like I was “too old” to try or made me feel embarrassed for trying at my age.