Radiology: the eyes that look into our inner body

Hysterosalpingography

What is a hysterosalpingography?

A hysterosalpingography is an X-ray exam of the uterus and the fallopian tubes.

How do I prepare for this exam?

It is important that this exam is scheduled seven to ten days after the first day of your last menstrual period.

There are no dietary restrictions.

For maximum comfort, we recommend that you take 400 mg Mortrin one hour before the exam. Motrin (ibuprofen) is available at your local pharmacy. It is also available on request in the radiology department.

What will happen in the X-ray room?

A radiologist and a technologist will administer the exam. You will be placed in a position similar to a routine GYN exam. The radiologist will clean off your skin with a sterile iodine solution to prevent infection, cover you with a sterile towel, and insert a speculum. The radiologist will place a small catheter into the cervical canal and inject an X-ray "dye" to visualize the uterus and fallopian tubes. The radiologist will watch on a special X-ray television screen. At intervals, the radiologist will ask you to hold your breath, to breathe out, or to change your position so that "snapshots" or spot films may be taken.