We have received a request from your referring doctor for you to have a Hysterosalpingogram.  This leaflet is designed to give you some information about the procedure, to help you prepare for your examination and to give you some idea of what to expect when you attend.

A Hysterosalpingogram is an x-ray of the womb and fallopian tubes. This procedure involves injecting a clear x-ray dye through the womb and into the fallopian tubes to see if there is a narrowing or blockage. This is carried out in an x-ray room in the Leazes Wing of the RVI.

If your appointment time is not convenient please telephone the department on 0191 232 4428 (9.00am – 5.00pm), so that a more appropriate time can be arranged and the original appointment can be offered to another patient.

We need to find out if your fallopian tubes are blocked.  This is to determine whether or not this is the cause of your infertility. The result of this test will be used to determine the next stage of your treatment for infertility.

The appointment will be arranged up to ten days from the start of your last period.

It is very important that you are not pregnant.  We advise women to use a reliable contraceptive or refrain from sex until after the appointment.

You will be asked to sign a form to declare that, to the best of your knowledge, you are not currently pregnant.

Women who are in any doubt about this will be asked to have a blood test at the place they were referred from, with the GP or the Centre for Life.  The procedure will not be carried out until the result is known.  A urine pregnancy test is not reliable enough at the very early stages of pregnancy.

The procedure can be done after the 10th day from the start of your last period, however, you will need another blood test to ensure that you are absolutely not pregnant.

If you are still bleeding on the day of your appointment, please telephone the department for advice as the test may have to be postponed.

X-ray Nurse on duty:      Telephone  0191 2325628 or 2329360 between 9.00am – 5.00pm

Please telephone the above number if you have any other concerns about the procedure.

You will be met by one of the x-ray nurses (female) who will check your personal details and explain the procedure to you. The nurse will: 

• Need to know the first day of your last period.
• Ask you to undress and put on a gown. 
• Ask you to sign a consent form, (occasionally the doctor does this) which is a legal requirement. You may ask questions at any time. 
• Ask you to lie on the x-ray table, the camera will move over you but will not touch you. It takes a few minutes for the doctor and nurse to prepare the equipment.

During the procedure we try to maintain your privacy and dignity at all times. There will be a maximum of three members of staff in the room. We sometimes have a medical or nursing student who would only stay with your permission.

We always try to ensure your procedure is carried out at the appointed time but we carry out many specialised procedures and you may have to wait if there is an emergency. If this happens we will try to keep you informed.

The procedure is similar to having a smear, knees bent up, ankles together and legs open. You will only be uncovered for a short time while the nurse or doctor cleans the vulva with warm antiseptic solution.

• You will be covered with a sterile cover.
• Next, a speculum is inserted into the vagina to provide access to the cervix (neck of the womb).
• A small catheter is inserted into the cervix, which is held in place with a small balloon, (you may feel some pressure at this time). Once this is in position you will be able to straighten your legs out.
• The dye will be injected while x-rays are taken. When the dye is injected you may get period type pains. This will be quite uncomfortable but will not last long.
• The nurse or doctor may ask you to raise your hips to allow the dye to flow into the tubes.

The procedure usually takes 15 minutes, but you may be in the department for approximately one hour.

The dye used is clear and sticky and may take a couple of days to pass from the vagina. We advise you to wear a panty liner (do not use tampons due to the risk of infection) for a few days.

You may experience a small amount of bleeding or period type pains. This is quite normal. If you have any pain, take your usual painkillers, e.g., Paracetamol (you may want to bring some with you – or some people take them beforehand). If you develop severe pain or very heavy bleeding or a high temperature, you must contact your GP urgently.

The risk of perforation of the cervix, uterus and fallopian tubes, or an infection occurring, is very small, less than 1 in 1000. This has never happened in Newcastle in the last 20 years.

Sexual intercourse may be resumed following the procedure.

• This is a non-surgical test that is done without the use of either local or general anaesthetic.
• You will attend hospital as an out patient and only be in the x-ray department for approximately one hour.
• The results are given to you immediately.
• There is a very low complication rate.
• The results of this test will be used to determine the next stage of your treatment.

Once the procedure is finished, a large pad is used to soak up the dye until you can get to the toilet. We will provide you with a panty liner to use for going home.

You will be offered tea or coffee before you leave the department.

It is usually a female nurse who carries out this procedure.  A male consultant radiologist will be available for consultation if necessary.

You and your partner (with your consent) will be given an initial verbal report immediately after the procedure is finished. A written report will also be sent to the person who has referred you for this test.

Yes, if you feel well enough. If you have someone with you who can accompany you home, you may be able to leave the department earlier.

If you need an ambulance, you must ask your GP surgery to arrange one. You will need to give them three working days notice.  Please inform the department if you are arriving by ambulance as we will arrange your appointment time to fit with ambulance arrivals.

Should you have any suggestions or concerns, please make these known to the person conducting your examination, or by letter addressed to:

The Departmental Manager            

Leazes Wing XRay Department                           

Royal Victoria Infirmary                                          

Richardson Road                                                    

Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP                            

Tel: (0191) 282 5624                                               

Language Problems

If you do not speak English, please ensure you have someone with you who can explain things to you. If you need someone to interpret for you or use sign language, please telephone the department as soon as possible on: 0191 232 4428 and we will do our best to ensure this service is available for you.

If you need to turn to someone for on-the-spot help, advice and support, please contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on:

Freephone 0800-032-02-02

All Newcastle Hospitals: Switchboard Tel: (0191) 233 6161