Contrary to the popular belief, HSG is not a very painful procedure when it is performed correctly. The pain experienced is similar to or slightly more than that of your period pain. You may experience more pain only if the tubes are blocked or if the mouth of the uterus-cervix is tightly closed.

Though it is routinely not done under anaesthesia, if you are very sensitive to pain you may request your doctor well in advance to get the HSG under anaesthesia.

The procedure can take anywhere between 15 minutes to 30 minutes

You can ask your doctor performing the HSG and know immediately if your tubes are blocked or not. The reporting might take a couple of hours to couple of days based on individual centre.

There is no harm in trying to get pregnant in the same month.

The dose of radiation used for X ray in HSG is very minimalRadiation exposure from these small doses is not known to injure ovarian tissue and there have been no demonstrated ill effects, even if conception occurs in the same month.

Pregnancy rates in several studies have been reported to be very slightly increased in the first months following a HSG. This could be due to the flushing of the tubes with the dye and opening a minor blockage or cleaning out some debris that was preventing the couple from conceiving.

The negative findings on a HSG are not always 100% accurate. Hence all abnormal HSGs should be followed up with a Diagnostic Laproscopy.

Other methods for assessing tubes include HyCoSy or SIS(Saline Infusion Sonosalphingography) which are done using the same technique as a HSG, but a Ultrasound imaging is done instead of an X Ray. HyCoSy or SIS are traditionally considered less painful than a HSG, however HSG is the most accepted testing method.

There can be a possibility of an allergic reaction to the dye, which is uncommon. This usually causes a rash, but can rarely be more serious. So do make it a point to inform your doctor performing the HSG if you have had a history of allergic reactions.

Some amount of cramping, vaginal wetness from the dye and minimal spotting is common. (You may want to carry a sanitary napkin)

Take the full course of prescribed antibiotics and pain killers to prevent any infection.

You may resume work and all other regular activities immediately.

Diagnostic laparoscopy is a day care surgical procedure during which we can directly visualize a woman's reproductive organs. A laparoscope, a thin telescope, is passed through a small incision (cut) in the abdomen(usually umbilicus). Using the laparoscope, the doctor can look directly at the outside of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and nearby organs.

A female pelvic laparoscopy is often recommended when other diagnostic tests, such as ultra soundand X-ray, cannot confirm the cause of a condition.

Laparoscopy is done under General anaesthesia and you will completely lose consciousness. Anaesthesia is given as an injection to your hand.

You are required to come to the clinic 2 hour before the scheduled surgery time on empty stomach. (Not to consume even water on the day of the surgery).

The surgery may take about 30-90 minutes.

A DL is usually combined with a diagnostic hysteroscopy to assess the insides of the uterine cavity.

The cuts on the abdomen are just about 5mm and hence don’t leave big scars.

You may leave the clinic 3-6 hours after the procedures. Mild giddiness and discomfort is common post procedure. Hence it is advised that you take off from work that day.

All regular activities can be resumed from the next day. (No need of prolonged rest)

Any intervention done during a laparoscopy other than just visualizing the uterus, ovaries and tubes constitutes operative laparoscopy.

Endometriosis: An Ovarian endometriotic cyst larger than 4 cm needs to be removed surgically before trying for pregnancy. Endometriotic spots seen in the abdominal cavity should be burnt or removed to prevent the release of substances (cytokines) that are toxic to the egg, sperm and embryo.

Fibroids: Fibroids that are protruding into the uterine cavity or those forming the base of uterine lining should be removed as they form a not only a hostile environment for the embryo trying to attach to the womb, but also can cause recurrent abortions by interfering with the blood supply to the baby.

Hydrosalphinx: Toxic fluid is collected inside the tubes. The opening of the tubes into the uterus is blocked and the both tubes are separated from the uterus. results in decrease in chance of pregnancy.

Adhesiolysis: adhesions between various organs in the abdominal cavity may prevent the natural release of egg and the decrease the ability of tube to pick up the egg and transfer the embryo into the uterus. Removing these adhesions may not only improve the natural conception possibilities, but also decrease the abdominal pain routinely noticed in women having adhesions.

You can resume sexual activity one week after surgery. Mild spotting may be expected.

You can resume sexual activity one week after surgery. Mild spotting may be expected.

Laparoscopy is very safe. About three out of every 1,000 women who have laparoscopy have some form of complications. Women undergoing an operative laparoscopy should keep in mind that indifficult cases the operating surgeon may decide to convert the laparoscopy into an open surgery.

Based on the type of surgery the cost can vary between 30,000-80,000 Indian Rupees.

A Hysteroscope is a thin telescope that is passed through the cervix (opening of the uterus) to directly visualize the interior aspect of uterus. As this is the site of attachment for the embryo, it is of utmost importance to ensure that the cavity is normal and adequate to support pregnancy.

Any intervention done during a hysteroscopy other than just visualizing the uterine cavity constitutes operative Hysteroscopy.

The preparation is similar to that of a laparoscopy, the only difference being that hysteroscopy might take much lesser duration.

Two main factors are crucial to have a good testing sample. First, the semen must be kept at body temperature. If it gets too warm or too cold, the results will be inaccurate. Second, the semen must be analysed within 30 to 60 minutes of leaving the body. If both these parameters are fulfilled, you may collect the sample at home after prior intimation to your doctor and the diagnostic centre.

Medications: Certain medications like steroids, Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), ketaconazole, spironolactone, cimetidine, nifedipine, sulfasalazine, viagracan affect the semen parameters. Make it a point to let your doctor know of any medications that you are on currently or have taken in the past 3 months.

Illness: Any kind of fever or illness you have suffered in the past 3 months can affect the report.

Stress: Severe stress or depression can result in an abnormal report.

You may have the report in 2-24 hours based on the centre policy.

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