IMAGING TESTS

Assessing the health of your fallopian tubes and uterus is an important part of your fertility evaluation. To do this, we use a number of imaging tests.

Hysterosalpingogram

What is a Hysterosalpingogram?

A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) is an X-ray that examines your uterus, fallopian tubes, and the pelvic area around them.

A hysterosalpingogram shows:

• Abnormalities in the uterus or fallopian tubes
• Blockages preventing the egg from moving through a fallopian tube to the uterus
• Blockages preventing the sperm from moving into a fallopian tube and fertilizing the egg
• Problems on the inside of uterus preventing a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterine wall

What happens during this procedure?

During a hysterosalpingogram, the gynecologist injects a dye through a thin tube that is inserted through the vagina and into the uterus. The doctor takes pictures using a special X-ray (fluoroscopy) as the dye flows through the uterus and into the fallopian tubes. If there is any blockage or problems with your uterus, this will show up on the x-ray.

Some women find this test to be quite “crampy,” so we suggest that you take 2 tablets of Advil, Ibuprofen, or Motrin about one hour prior to the procedure.

Hysteroscopy

A hysteroscopy is a procedure that is used to examine the inside of your uterus.

What happens during this procedure?

The procedure involves passing the hysteroscope–a narrow telescope-like instrument with a light and camera at the end–through your vagina and cervix and into the uterus to see if there are any fibroid tumours, polyps, scar tissue, or other problem with your uterus. A sterile saline solution is injected into the uterus so that all the surfaces of the uterine interior are visible.

You don’t need to have an incision with a hysteroscopy and most women recover quickly. The procedure only takes a few minutes. Any discomfort can be minimized by taking 400 mg of ibuprofen one hour before the procedure.

Laparoscopy

A laparoscopy is a procedure that involves inserting a laparoscope–a hollow tube equipped with a tiny camera and light source—through a small incision in your belly in order to examine your uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.

The laparoscope can help your doctor diagnose uterine fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian cysts, and other fertility problems. These problems can often be treated during the laparoscopy. In some cases, you may need follow-up surgery.

What happens during the procedure?

After giving you a general anaesthetic to block the pain, the doctor makes a small incision just under your belly button to pass the gas that expands your abdomen. Then a laparoscope is inserted into the abdomen, making it easier for the doctor to see certain organs like the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. If there are any abnormal findings, the doctor may remove a small sample for further examination. Most women recover within a few days. The incisions are normally made at the belly button and at the pubic hairline, and rarely leave any scars.

Transvaginal Ultrasound

A transvaginal ultrasound is an internal pelvic examination that allows us to examine women’s reproductive organs, including the uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix, and vagina. It can also help us determine your ovarian reserve (the number of eggs you have in your ovaries).

What happens during this procedure?

This procedure is performed by inserting an ultrasound probe internally through the vagina, allowing us to see problems like cysts on the ovaries and fibroids on the uterus. In addition, we may perform an antral follicle count to assess your ovarian reserve by counting the small bubbles in the ovaries that contain the immature eggs.

The procedure only takes a few minutes and is very safe.