Hysterosalpingography is an x-ray examination, indications for which are infertility , adhesive process in the small pelvis, suspicion of congenital malformations of the female genital organs, suspicion of the presence of benign and malignant tumors in the uterus and appendages.
How is hysterosalpingography performed?
The classical method of hysterosalpingography is carried out by introducing a contrast medium into the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes to determine their patency and the presence of diseases. When diagnosing infertility, the doctor can choose what is best - hysterosalpingography or diagnostic laparoscopy and often chooses the first because of the low traumatic procedure.
Hysterosalpingography is not performed under anesthesia and does not require local anesthesia, but women often wonder if it hurts. Hysterosalpingography is not a very painful procedure, although, with increased pain sensitivity, a woman should consult a doctor about the possibility of anesthesia.
Hysterosalpingography - preparation
Since a contrast medium that can be toxic to the embryo is entered into the uterus and tube cavity during the examination, it is necessary to protect against pregnancy during the cycle in which hysterosalpingography will be performed. Before the procedure, mandatory for hysterosalpingography analysis: a general analysis of blood and urine, a smear on the flora of discharge from the cervical canal, without which X-ray hysterosalpingography is contraindicated. On the day of the procedure, special training is also done: they make a cleansing enema and empty the woman's bladder.
Hysterosalpingography - contraindications
The main contraindications to the procedure - increased sensitivity to drugs for contrasting, acute inflammatory processes of the female genital tract, thrombophlebitis of the veins of the lower extremities and pelvis, uterine bleeding , acute infectious diseases, pregnancy.
Hysterosalpingography: when and how do?
The doctor warns the woman on which day of the cycle the hysterosalpingography will be performed. Usually, the procedure is prescribed in the second phase of the cycle (16-20 days), after the diagnostic curettage of the uterine cavity. Also, the procedure can be carried out in the last days of menstruation.
The female is treated with the alcoholic iodine solution and injected through the cervical canal into the uterine cavity, and then, under the control of the X-ray apparatus, 10-12 ml of the contrast solution (veropain or urographine) heated to 36-37 degrees are injected. The picture is taken 3-5 minutes after the administration of the drug, and if during this time the liquid does not fill the uterus and the tubes, the picture is repeated after 20 -25 minutes and the position of the uterus is evaluated, the shape and dimensions of its cavity, and the patency of the fallopian tubes.
Hysterosalpingography - complications and consequences
Hysterosalpingography must be performed after a test for individual intolerance to radiopaque substances in order to avoid severe allergic reactions or anaphylactic shock upon administration of the solution.
After the procedure, mild bleeding of low intensity is possible, but in the presence of significant bloody discharge, a sharp decrease in blood pressure, dizziness, palpitations and fainting, one should think about possible uterine bleeding after the procedure. Another possible complication is the development of the inflammatory process of the uterus and appendages, the symptoms of which are pain, fever, general weakness.
But, if the woman had no complications after the procedure, then pregnancy after hysterosalpingography can be planned already in the next menstrual cycle.