Daniel Chukwuemeka Okwum
The problem of infertility is real! The wine of marital bliss and splendor in the home of many young and long term couples had soon been spent due to the unexpected that befell their home - the inability to achieve pregnancy as soon as they expected. The weight of shame, psychological trauma, social embarrassment, family issues and loss of self esteem that may characterise such couples may be better told than experienced. It's not a joke at all.
Undue delays in achieving pregnancy among many couples may not be as a result of Low sperm count, weak errection, hormonal imbalance, fibroids, an absence or abnormality with the womb or even ancestral curse; one or both of your fallopian tubes might just be partially or completely blocked. It is therefore advised that you consult a gynecologist after about a year of having unprotected intercourse without being able to achieve pregnancy. If your gyne suspects a possible fallopian tube blockage, you may be asked to undergo an x-ray procedure known as Hysterosalpingography or just say HSG.
The 10-day Rule
10-day rule holds that the investigation should only be done on day 10 of your cycle, counting from pthe very first day it started, even if it started with a drop of blood. Though your gyna could skilfully make it a little flexible when it appears impossible to carry out the procedure on the tenth day. So you may be advised to do it on day 9. It is better not to do it after the tenth day as the possibility of getting pregnant increases after that day.
Rationale for the 10-day rule
1. To ensure the uterus has totally stopped bleeding and the uterine muscle restored
2. To ensure its done at a time you are not likely pregnant.
Other Preparations you must make
Apart from the ten day rule, other preparation you may need to make
1. Prepare psychologically
2. Shave neatly
3. Report early to the radiology department
4. In the department, you will be asked to undress completely and put on a special examination gown.
Is HSG a painful procedure?
Yes it is! This is the raw truth. You need to know this so you can prepare your mind properly for the procedure.
What exactly is the cause of pain during the procedure?
The process of clipping the os (entrance to the uterus) to hold it in place, inserting the cannula and injecting the dye into the uterus, and it's passage through the fallopian tubes make the procedure a painful one. However, you will be injected with a pain relieving medication probably Diclophenac intramuscular injection before the commencement of the procedure. And after the procedure, you may also be placed on some pain relieving medication. With this injection, be sure you wouldn't feel all the pains you should feel.
What kinds of instruments are used?
The instruments that would be used on you are as follow:
1. Disposable speculum, used in opening up the vagina
2. Sterilized Uterine sound, a rod used in determining the direction of the uterus
3. Sterilized Uterine cannula, used in introducing the dye or contrast agent into the uterus
Etc.
How is the procedure carried out?
You will be told to lie with your back on the couch. Your knees will be bent so that you step on the couch and so that it's easy to open up your laps - litotomy position. The external surrounding of the vagina will be sanitised with savlon or any other suitable disinfectant before the disposable speculum is inserted to open up the vagina for easy passage of some instruments.
How long does the procedure last?
This examination takes about 30minutes. However, it may someytimes be prolonged due to certain challenges which may eventually be resolved for a successful procedure.
Will my result be out immediately after the procedure?
Depending on the protocol adopted in your hospital, the result of the investigation may be produced before you leave the hospital or you are asked get it on another day. If the report would not be available on the day of the examination, you may be given the x - ray radiograph to show your gyna, and afterwards allowed to go home.
Any alternative to HSG?
There is a similar procedure known as Sono-HSG in which a special dye is also injected through the same procedure but instead of imaging the uterus with an x-ray modality, ultrasound scan machine will be used.
Learn more on the meaning of HSG here
 |
| HSG Image showing uterus with blocked tubes on both sides |
Undue delays in achieving pregnancy among many couples may not be as a result of Low sperm count, weak errection, hormonal imbalance, fibroids, an absence or abnormality with the womb or even ancestral curse; one or both of your fallopian tubes might just be partially or completely blocked. It is therefore advised that you consult a gynecologist after about a year of having unprotected intercourse without being able to achieve pregnancy. If your gyne suspects a possible fallopian tube blockage, you may be asked to undergo an x-ray procedure known as Hysterosalpingography or just say HSG.
The 10-day Rule
10-day rule holds that the investigation should only be done on day 10 of your cycle, counting from pthe very first day it started, even if it started with a drop of blood. Though your gyna could skilfully make it a little flexible when it appears impossible to carry out the procedure on the tenth day. So you may be advised to do it on day 9. It is better not to do it after the tenth day as the possibility of getting pregnant increases after that day.
Rationale for the 10-day rule
1. To ensure the uterus has totally stopped bleeding and the uterine muscle restored
2. To ensure its done at a time you are not likely pregnant.
Other Preparations you must make
Apart from the ten day rule, other preparation you may need to make
1. Prepare psychologically
2. Shave neatly
3. Report early to the radiology department
4. In the department, you will be asked to undress completely and put on a special examination gown.
Is HSG a painful procedure?
Yes it is! This is the raw truth. You need to know this so you can prepare your mind properly for the procedure.
What exactly is the cause of pain during the procedure?
The process of clipping the os (entrance to the uterus) to hold it in place, inserting the cannula and injecting the dye into the uterus, and it's passage through the fallopian tubes make the procedure a painful one. However, you will be injected with a pain relieving medication probably Diclophenac intramuscular injection before the commencement of the procedure. And after the procedure, you may also be placed on some pain relieving medication. With this injection, be sure you wouldn't feel all the pains you should feel.
What kinds of instruments are used?
The instruments that would be used on you are as follow:
1. Disposable speculum, used in opening up the vagina
2. Sterilized Uterine sound, a rod used in determining the direction of the uterus
3. Sterilized Uterine cannula, used in introducing the dye or contrast agent into the uterus
Etc.
How is the procedure carried out?
You will be told to lie with your back on the couch. Your knees will be bent so that you step on the couch and so that it's easy to open up your laps - litotomy position. The external surrounding of the vagina will be sanitised with savlon or any other suitable disinfectant before the disposable speculum is inserted to open up the vagina for easy passage of some instruments.
How long does the procedure last?
 |
| HSG image of a uterus with unblocked tubes |
This examination takes about 30minutes. However, it may someytimes be prolonged due to certain challenges which may eventually be resolved for a successful procedure.
Will my result be out immediately after the procedure?
Depending on the protocol adopted in your hospital, the result of the investigation may be produced before you leave the hospital or you are asked get it on another day. If the report would not be available on the day of the examination, you may be given the x - ray radiograph to show your gyna, and afterwards allowed to go home.
Any alternative to HSG?
There is a similar procedure known as Sono-HSG in which a special dye is also injected through the same procedure but instead of imaging the uterus with an x-ray modality, ultrasound scan machine will be used.
Learn more on the meaning of HSG here
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