Hysterosalpingography

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.

• Discharge
• Inpatient
• Precare
• Español

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

Hysterosalpingography is a procedure to look inside your uterus and fallopian tubes.

HOW TO PREPARE:

The week before your procedure:

• Arrange to have someone drive you home after the procedure.
• Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines you currently take. He or she will tell you if you need to stop any medicine for the procedure, and when to stop. He or she will tell you which medicines to take or not take on the day of your procedure.
• Tell your provider about all your allergies, including antibiotics or other medicines.
• Ask your healthcare provider how many days before the procedure you need to stop having sexual intercourse.
• Your provider may tell you to shower the night before your surgery. He or she may tell you to use a certain soap to help prevent an infection.
• Contrast liquid will be used during your procedure to help your provider see your uterus and fallopian tubes better. Tell him or her if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast liquid.
• You may need to have an ultrasound. You may also need urine or blood tests to check for infection or make sure you are not pregnant.

The night before your procedure:

• You may be told not to eat or drink anything after midnight.
• You may be given medicine to drink or an enema that will empty your bowel. This will help the uterus and fallopian tubes show up better on the x-ray. An enema is liquid put into your rectum.

The day of your procedure:

• You or a close family member will be asked to sign a legal document called a consent form. It gives healthcare providers permission to do the procedure or surgery. It also explains the problems that may happen, and your choices. Make sure all your questions are answered before you sign this form.
• Take only the medicines your healthcare provider told you to take.
• An IV will be put into a vein. You may be given liquids or medicine through the IV.
• You may be given medicine to prevent discomfort. You may also be given antibiotics to prevent an infection caused by bacteria.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN:

What will happen:

You will lie on a table. Your legs will be put up in stirrups. Your healthcare provider will insert a gloved hand to check your vagina and cervix. A warmed speculum will be gently inserted to widen and hold open your vagina. A catheter will be inserted into your cervix. Your healthcare provider will then inject contrast liquid through the catheter and several x-ray pictures will be taken. After the x-rays are taken, the catheter will be removed. You will need to wear a sanitary pad to absorb blood or contrast liquid that drains after the procedure.

After your procedure:

You may stay in bed or sit until you are completely comfortable. Healthcare providers will monitor you closely for any problems. Do not get out of bed until your healthcare provider says it is okay. When your healthcare provider sees that you are okay, you will be able to go home. You will need to keep the sanitary pad in place after your procedure.

CONTACT YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IF:

• You have a fever.
• You get a cold or the flu.
• You have questions or concerns about your procedure.

Seek Care Immediately if

• You have blood, pus, or foul-smelling odor coming out from your vagina.
• You have sudden severe abdominal or vaginal pain.

Risks

You may bleed more than expected or get an infection. The procedure may not find the cause of your health problem.

Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions

Treatment options

The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.

• Omnipaque 350
• Omnipaque 12
• Omnipaque 240
• Omnipaque 9
• Omnipaque 140

View more treatment options

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

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