In the article, we will consider what is an x-ray on the patency of the fallopian tubes.
Metrosalpingography (MSH) or hysterosalpingography (GHA) is a diagnostic measure that is used in medical practice to assess the physiological state of fallopian tubes in women, in particular, their patency. Under modern conditions, x-rays are carried out using contrast agents, which allows to obtain a more accurate result about the possible development of obstruction, the presence of an adhesion process.
Indications for
The main diagnostic indication, according to which an x-ray is used for patency of the fallopian tubes, is the presence of a woman's problems in conceiving a child.
According to current WHO criteria, it is believed that infertility can be considered and a diagnosis can be made only after a year of unsuccessful attempts to become pregnant, and only if the woman is male and has regular sexual contact and does not use protective equipment.
Doctors examined a large number of women complaining of a lack of pregnancy. In the course of such studies, it was found that the main factor in the development of infertility today are various pathologies of the fallopian tubes. In this case, conception does not occur due to pathological disorders in the fallopian tubes that occurred after the patient suffered a certain inflammatory disease of the reproductive system of organs.
Commissures
A complication of the inflammatory process is adhesions of the walls of the fallopian tubes. They are able to provoke partial patency or their complete obstruction. With this problem, a man’s germ cell, heading to the egg for fertilization, does not reach it, however, if the merger still occurs, then with a partial obstruction, the fertilized egg does not enter the uterine cavity and the woman has an ectopic pregnancy.
Due to the fact that peritubular adhesions are quite common, gynecologists recommend conducting hysterosalpingography to check the fallopian tubes for patency by X-ray. This is one of the initial procedures for diagnosing infertility. The results of this study of the fallopian tubes allow you to quickly determine the main cause of infertility and begin treatment of this pathological process.
Other indications
In addition to difficulties with conception, there are other indications, taking into account which it may be recommended to conduct a diagnosis of female internal genital organs using x-ray studies. They are:
- deviations in the development of organs of the female reproductive system;
- genital tuberculosis;
- before in vitro fertilization;
- the patient's assumption of the development of endometriosis;
- suspected presence of neoplasms in the ovaries or in the uterus;
- in order to diagnose cervical insufficiency;
- to evaluate previous treatment to restore patency of the fallopian tubes.
An X-ray on the patency of the fallopian tubes allows you to get informative pictures of the fallopian tubes and the uterus itself, which can then be used to make the correct diagnosis, and if necessary, prescribe a woman a course of therapy to eliminate the existing disease.
X-ray preparation rules
Not all patients know how to conduct an x-ray on the patency of the fallopian tubes and how to properly prepare for it. If a woman does not have contraindications for the implementation of an X-ray examination, the specialist gives her some recommendations regarding preparation, which will ensure obtaining the most accurate images and comfortably transfer the diagnostic procedure.
Recommendations of gynecologists in preparation for an x-ray of the fallopian tubes:
- A few days before the hysterosalpingography, sexual intercourse is prohibited, and a month before the proposed conduct of this diagnostic procedure, contraceptives must be used in order to prevent pregnancy.
- 7 days before an X-ray, it recommends abstaining from the use of medications in the form of suppositories, and also do not treat the vagina with other drugs.
- The day before hysterosalpingography, it is not recommended to use products that contribute to the development of flatulence in the intestines - cabbage, sweets, fresh baked goods, legumes.
- Immediately before hysterosalpingography, a light snack is allowed. Bladder emptying is also necessary.
Lab tests
In addition to the above recommendations, the gynecologist gives the patient a referral to some laboratory tests. A woman needs to go through them in the process of preparing for hysterosalpingography. Such studies, as a rule, are general clinical and biochemical blood tests, a general urinalysis, a study for the presence of STDs. In addition, an analysis for hepatitis B and C is a mandatory study for patients before an x-ray of the fallopian tubes.
Rules for the diagnostic procedure
How do x-rays of the fallopian tubes on patency?
The study can be divided into two stages. At the first stage, the patient is injected into the blood a special radiopaque substance, due to which the patency of the tubes will be determined. The next step is the direct diagnosis of internal reproductive organs.
X-ray examination always begins with a consultation with a doctor - an examination is usually carried out without the use of special procedures. Subsequently, the gynecologist introduces a small cannula into the cervical canal of the uterus and injects a contrast agent under pressure. It is designed to delay x-rays and with its help it becomes possible to visualize the outlines of the fluid that fills the cavity of the reproductive system.
When X-ray television hysterosalpingography, iodine-containing liquids are used under the name "Verografin", Urografin "," Ultravist. These drugs are absolutely safe and do not have a negative impact on women's health.
After a certain period of time, the gynecologist takes pictures and removes the cannula. The radiopaque substance subsequently enters the general bloodstream, after which it is excreted through the excretory organs without any complications.
Do I need pain relief?
When conducting x-rays of the uterus and fallopian tubes, anesthesia, as a rule, is not required. The sensations during this diagnostic measure are not very pleasant, however, they are quite tolerant and look more like a gynecological examination. If necessary, a woman may ask you to give her local anesthesia if, when a cannula is inserted into the cervix, she feels severe pain. This can occur, for example, in acute inflammatory processes in the reproductive system or other female diseases. After an x-ray, discomfort quickly passes. In rare cases, drawing pains in the pelvic area can be noted.
How do x-rays of the fallopian tubes, it is important to find out in advance.
Possible complications
Hysterosalpingography in most cases takes place without complications, but sometimes patients experience undesirable consequences of this procedure. Often after this diagnostic examination of the reproductive organs, exacerbations of chronic pathologies develop. X-rays provoke activation of local immunity functions, and existing chronic diseases begin to proceed more acutely than before an x-ray.
If, before the diagnosis, a woman suffered from inflammatory diseases of a chronic course, then the soreness can increase, the amount of discharge increases, sometimes an increase in temperature is observed. All such symptoms are features of the transition of a pathological condition to the acute stage.
Chance of infection
Another adverse effect of this diagnostic procedure is the probability of infection of the uterine cavity. However, this is extremely rare, since gynecologists usually follow all the rules for carrying out such an X-ray examination and treat the instruments and hands with disinfecting solutions. Nevertheless, the possible risk of such consequences after hysterosalpingography always remains.
If the patient has prepared to check the fallopian tubes with an x-ray incorrectly, then the following adverse events most often occur:
- aching sensations in the pelvic area;
- the appearance of nausea;
- the development of bleeding or spotting spotting from the genital tract.
The gynecologist should warn the patient about the possible risk and the onset of complications after an X-ray examination, therefore, if you feel worse, it is recommended to contact the clinic.
If the complications after hysterosalpingography are remote in time, then the adverse effects of an x-ray examination of a woman are felt, as a rule, immediately, immediately in the process of this diagnosis. Among the complications, the development of such situations is possible:
- perforation (rupture) of the fallopian tube or body of the uterus with an incomparably high pressure of the X-ray contrast or when performing rough instrumental manipulations;
- filling with a contrast agent of the lymphatic system or blood vessels, which threatens the occurrence of thrombosis;
- the development of an allergic reaction to a contrasting drug associated with the iodine immunity, which is observed in extremely rare cases.
Contraindications to the study
The main contraindications to the implementation of hysterosalpingography are:
- the presence of an inflammatory process in the body;
- the onset of pregnancy;
- recent inflammatory pathologies of the fallopian tubes or uterus of an acute nature;
- allergy to iodine-containing contrast agent;
- unsatisfactory results of laboratory studies, which showed deviations from the norms of the composition of the vaginal microflora.
If the above contraindications are found, this diagnostic measure must be postponed. As soon as the pathological process is eliminated, hysterosalpingography (GHA) is allowed.
Where to make an x-ray of the fallopian tubes? Where should I go?
Where to do
Today, hysterosalpingography is one of the most effective diagnostic methods for detecting obstruction of the fallopian tubes, which allows visualizing pathologies of the reproductive system in the form of endometriosis and adhesions that prevent conception.
You can make an x-ray of the fallopian tubes in various medical institutions of the diagnostic type, public or private. In order to get a high-quality diagnosis, a woman initially needs to come to the gynecologist's office to give her a referral.
Reviews of x-ray fallopian tubes on patency
On sites and forums on the Internet there are a lot of reviews of women who have undergone hysterosalpingography. They note that such a method is usually enough to make a diagnosis and prescribe further treatment for infertility. Patients in reviews of the x-ray of the fallopian tubes for patency report that during the study unpleasant consequences are extremely rare. A common occurrence is slight soreness in the pelvis, due to instrumental intervention.
We examined how the X-ray of the fallopian tubes is carried out.