Do hysterosalpingograms cause menstrual disorders?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor I Nguyen Dinh Hung - Radiologist - Department of Diagnostic Imaging - Vinmec Hai Phong International General Hospital.
And Master, Doctor Nguyen Le Thao Tram - Doctor of Diagnostic Imaging - Department of Diagnostic Imaging - Vinmec Nha Trang International General Hospital.

1. What is a hysterosalpingogram?

Hysterosalpingogram is an imaging method used to view the inside of the uterus, fallopian tubes, and surrounding structures. This medical technique is often performed in women who have difficulty getting pregnant (infertility).
When taking a hysterosalpingogram, the patient will be injected with contrast material with a small tube placed from the vagina to the uterus. Because the uterus and fallopian tubes are connected, the contrast medium will flow into the fallopian tubes. The scan is performed using a beam of X-ray radiation as the contrast medium is injected through both the uterus and fallopian tubes.
The images taken after the scan can show problems such as trauma or abnormalities in the structure of the uterus, fallopian tubes, or a blockage that will prevent an egg from reaching the uterus. The blockage can also prevent sperm from entering the fallopian tube and fertilizing an egg.
In addition, hysterosalpingogram is also a method to help find problems with the uterus that prevent the fertilized egg from attaching to the inside of the uterine wall.

2. Purpose of hysterosalpingogram

Hysterosalpingogram is indicated in the following specific cases:
Check if the patient's fallopian tubes are in a clear or blocked condition. The test is done for infertile women. Look for problems such as: irregularly shaped or structured uterus, polyps, trauma, fibroids, or foreign bodies in the uterus. These problems often lead to painful, uncomfortable menstrual cycles or repeated miscarriages. Assess whether surgical adjuvant therapy for tubal ligation is successful.

3. When to perform a hysterosalpingogram?

If you have the following symptoms, a hysterosalpingogram should be taken to control the situation:
If you have difficulty getting pregnant or have had multiple miscarriages, a hysterosalpingogram should be performed. Hysterosalpingography is an effective aid in diagnosing the cause of infertility. If you have had tubal surgery in the past, an ultrasound is indicated for the purpose of checking whether the surgery was successful or not.

If you've had a tubal closure (also called tubal ligation) procedure, your doctor may order a scan to make sure your fallopian tubes are closed. In case you have a "tubal ligation reversal" procedure, an imaging test is also indicated to check if your re-opening of the fallopian tubes is successful again.

4. Uterine and fallopian tubes can cause menstrual disorders

After a hysteroscopy, your doctor will recommend prescription antibiotics. Besides, you should not have sex for two weeks after the scan and avoid pregnancy during the month of the scan to avoid inflammation and abdominal pain because of uterine contractions. And if you get pregnant during this time, it can negatively affect the development of the fetus.
The phenomenon of heavy white discharge may be an infection of the appendix because you do not abstain from marital activities after the scan.
And after taking a tubal scan, the patient may experience menstrual disorders. Specifically, the cause of a missed period can also be due to the effects of the contrast medium and the side effects of the antibiotics you use after the scan.
In most cases, this menstrual disorder after the scan only happens within a few days of the next 1 to 2 menstrual cycles and will stop soon after, so you can rest assured.

In the case of prolonged menstrual irregularities and serious signs, you may have a gynecological disease, not the result of a tubal scan. Therefore, you should monitor the signs of missed periods and your menstrual cycle. If your period is delayed for more than a month, you also need to see an obstetrician for examination and treatment as soon as possible.
Hysterosalpingography is one of the most modern imaging methods today, plays a significant role in finding the cause of infertility in women. Hysterosalpingograms can cause menstrual irregularities, which are normal as a side effect of contrast media and antibiotics. Most of this phenomenon does not last long, but if you have unusual symptoms, you should go to a medical facility for a timely examination.
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