Hysterosalpingography (HSG) in Panama

During HSG, you will have to lie on your back with your knees bent on a table under an X-ray imager called a fluoroscope. Then, a device called a speculum will be inserted into your vagina. This device holds the walls of the vagina apart, keeping it open and allowing your doctor to view the cervix. The cervix is then cleaned. In most cases, no sedation is used during the procedure, but your doctor may inject local anesthesia to the end of the cervix to numb the area. You may feel a slight pinch as this is done.

Next, a contrast medium will be placed in the uterus and fallopian tubes. A contrast medium is a fluid containing a dye that can show up the structures of your body on an X-ray screen. The dye can outline the inner size and shape of your uterus and fallopian tubes. Your doctor can also see how the dye moves through your body structures.

To place the contrast, the cervix is grasped with a special device to hold it steady. Then, an instrument called a cannula is inserted into the cervix. Through the cannula, your doctor gently fills your uterus with the contrast. After that, your doctor will remove the speculum, and as the contrast medium fills your uterus and tubes, images are made with the fluoroscope X-ray. You may be asked to move around so that your doctor can get side views. It is normal to feel cramping during this part.

Finally, once the images are taken, your doctor will remove the cannula.

HSG is an outpatient procedure, so you should be able to leave the hospital on the same day. In most cases, you can get the test results on the same day and discuss the results with your doctor right away, so you do not have to stay in Panama any longer than you wish to. However, if the results are not immediately ready, plan to stay in the country for several days. Your doctor should give you the details.

You can resume your normal activities, including work, immediately after HSG. However, you should refrain from sexual intercourse for 2 to 3 days.

It is also important to note that you might have some vaginal spotting, cramps, stomach discomfort, and dizziness for a few days following the procedure. You can use pads for the vaginal discharge, but make sure to avoid using a tampon. Your doctor may give you antibiotics to prevent an infection and pain medicine to help you with any cramps and discomfort. If your doctor does not prescribe you pain medicine, you can take over-the-counter pain relievers.

HSG is a very safe procedure with high success rates. However, there are some complications that the procedure carries and they only occur with 1% of patients. These complications include infection, radiation exposure, fainting, allergic reaction to the contrast material, and spotting. Injury to your uterus or pelvic injury is possible as well.

The procedure is generally considered as effective and accurate most of the time. However, a small study revealed a 35% incident of false negatives. This means that the results showed a normal uterine shape, but other tests showed abnormalities. Also, 15% of women who undergo this procedure have a false-positive, meaning the results showed abnormalities when it is actually normal.

The following procedures can give your doctor similar information as HSG:

• Hysteroscopy can provide a detailed view of the inside of your uterus, but it cannot give information about your fallopian tubes.

• Laparoscopy can show if the fallopian tubes are open.

Sonohysterography can show the insides of your uterus. However, as with hysteroscopy, it cannot show whether your fallopian tubes are blocked.