Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)

What is a hysterosalpingogram?

If you’re having problems with pregnancy, such as infertility or miscarriage, your doctor may use an imaging test to look at your uterus and fallopian tubes. A hysterosalpingogram (HSG) lets your doctor check for conditions that could keep you from having a healthy pregnancy.

Your doctor will schedule your hysterosalpingogram for a few days after your period. This ensures that you are not pregnant during your test.

What happens during a hysterosalpingogram?

Before your test, your doctor may give you a sedative. The sedative helps keep your uterus from cramping during the test and helps you relax. After the test, you may have cramps similar to period cramps and some light vaginal bleeding.

For your hysterosalpingogram, your doctor will insert a dye called a contrast liquid into your uterus through a small tube in your vagina. An X-ray will record the movement of the dye as it moves through your body. The test takes about 15 to 30 minutes. The dye gets absorbed by your body after the test is done.

The dye then creates a silhouette image of your uterus and fallopian tubes on the X-ray. Your doctor can look at this image to find uterine fibroids, polyps or an abnormally shaped uterus, each of which can cause miscarriage or infertility. Your doctor may also see if your fallopian tubes are blocked, which will keep an egg from entering your uterus, or sperm from reaching an egg.

After you have your test results, your doctor will talk with you about treatments that may help you, or any other tests you need to find the cause of pregnancy problems.