How exactly does the HSG boost fertility?

[Anonymous]

I've had several REs tell me that if I do the HSG and even if it's normal, there is a fertility boost to the HSG that lasts about 2 months after. But how exactly does the HSG process accomplish this fertility boost? My understanding is that the dye "cleans out the tubes," but would this really make much of a difference if you've been TTC for a long time (over a year)? If this cleaning out of the tubes did result in a pregnancy, what does this mean then--that a woman isn't getting pregnant because of a partially blocked tube?

Do you think this fertility boost is only for women with certain infertility diagnoses (like unexplained?) I'm wondering if there is any fertility boost for someone with DOR, or if it's pointless to get this test.

My REs have told me that there is between a 1-5% chance that my HSG would show anything wrong with my tubes, that seems like a very low percentage to go ahead and get this test. I think it depends on one's individual circumstance, but I don't have any risk factors for tubal blockage, such as: prior abdominal surgery, pelvic infections, STDs, c-section, or endometriosis, so I'm undecided about getting the test, but if there really is a fertility boost that could help then I would get it.

[Anonymous]

I don't think there is definitive understanding of the fertility boost post-HSG, but the explanation of cleaning out the tubes seems to be the most likely.

An HSG is a standard part of an IF work up, and it wouldn't make sense for an RE to skip it. I wouldn't go into the test thinking the purpose is to boost your fertility...it's just another test to do before coming up with a treatment plan. Even with DOR, you can have other structural issues that an HSG can reveal.

[Anonymous]

It's not just for blocked tubes. For me, it showed a uterine issue that was easily repaired with surgery. It's a key test in the process.

[Anonymous]

Okay but if you are unwilling to have any kind of surgery to repair something found on the HSG then is there any point in getting this test?

[Anonymous]

some think it "clears the pipes." get the test -- you might not have any risk factors for blocked tubes, but you don't know that you don't have a blocked tube.
I've had 2 (I just had "old eggs, but wanted to rule everything else out.) -- one hurt for 3 seconds, and the other one didn't hurt at all. it's not fun, but it's worth it.

[Anonymous]

Unexplained secondary fertility. I got pregnant two cycles after my HSG. My OB reported that this seems like a common occurrence.

You're going to have to have one for any fertility treatment, so why not give it a shot?

[Anonymous]

OP here. The pregnancy thing after HSG worries me a lot too. You're getting radiation right to the ovaries and then getting pregnant right after. I recently had a mammogram and they shielded me from the waist down with a lead apron and asked lots off questions if I could possibly be pregnant and if so that I should not have the mammogram. It makes no sense to me that it's ok to get pregnant on the same cycle as the HSG re: radiation to ovaries.

[Anonymous]

OP, you need some science in your life.
https://www.asrm.org/FACTSHEET_Hysterosalpingogram/

[Anonymous]

I'm 20 weeks pregnant with a baby conceived 2 weeks after hsg...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unexplained secondary fertility. I got pregnant two cycles after my HSG. My OB reported that this seems like a common occurrence.

You're going to have to have one for any fertility treatment, so why not give it a shot?

+1

Same story here

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Okay but if you are unwilling to have any kind of surgery to repair something found on the HSG then is there any point in getting this test?

Why are you even bothering with an RE then? If you won't get anything fixed that the test shows...you don't really want to get pregnant it seems...

[Anonymous]

There's a difference between getting radiation while already pregnant - when cells are rapidly dividing - and getting an HSG. I tried for a year with unexplained infertility. I'm currently pregnant with a baby conceived 2 weeks after HSG. My sister had the same thing happen! If you're scared about conceiving after the HSG then you can use protection. But you also expose your eggs to radiation when you fly, go out in the sun...

[Anonymous]

OP, just so you know, it's very painful and pretty invasive.

[Anonymous]

I'm the poster who is pregnant from HSG. I think pain levels vary tremendously based on what I've read. My doctor told me to take 800 mg if Advil an hour before. When the doctor said "this part might be uncomfortable" I felt some pain similar to cramps for a few seconds. Otherwise it was not painful for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, just so you know, it's very painful and pretty invasive.

Mine did not hurt at all. I don't think I have a particularly high pain tolerance and I went into it expecting the worst. I would describe it as uncomfortable, but that was mostly because hey, hanging out with your lady bits out in a medical context is never very comfortable.

I have only had one, but from others who have done it multiple times, it sounds like experience level of the techs seem to be a factor in whether it hurts. I had mine at SG's surgical center where they do tons of them every day. Others who had them at places where techs do them less frequently reported that it was most painful. I've also heard that if your tubes are blocked, it is more painful, which makes sense when you consider what you are doing.

Good luck!