Fertility Answers - Helping Build Families

What an HSG Test Says About Your Fertility

An HSG test for blocked tubes answers the question “Are the fallopian tubes are open?”

What an HSG test for blocked tubes can tell you about your fertility

When a fallopian tube is blocked, this inhibits the sperm from reaching the egg. This meeting of the egg and sperm is needed for fertilization during normal conception. A hysterosalpingogram, more commonly known as an HSG test for blocked tubes, is an x-ray procedure women can use to determine whether the fallopian tubes are open. An HSG test can give us important information to detect blockage.

Blocked fallopian tubes are one of the most common reasons why many women cannot get pregnant. Blockage is often caused by scar tissue that can form inside of the pelvis and around the fallopian tubes due to endometriosis or from past abdominal or gynecological surgery.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can also lead to scarring and cause blocked tubes. These types of infections, such as Chlamydia or gonorrhea, can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) which in turn damages the cilia (tiny hairs lining the fallopian tubes) that help to transport the egg. Without normal cilia, the egg may not meet the sperm, or if an egg becomes fertilized, it may not be able to travel to the uterus. This can result in an ectopic pregnancy, which can further damage your tube.

An HSG test is a quick outpatient procedure

hysterosalpingogram HSG test for blocked tubesAn HSG test for blocked tubes is an outpatient procedure and can be performed at either of our Lafayette or Baton Rouge fertility clinics. The entire procedure usually takes less than 10 minutes, can usually be performed at the time of your consult, and you will know your results immediately.

During an HSG procedure using the C-Arm Fluoroscopic Imaging System, contrast dye is injected into the uterus and tubes. As the dye is being passed into the uterus, x-ray pictures are taken. As the dye enters the tubes, it outlines the length of the tubes and spills out their ends if they are open. Abnormalities inside the uterine cavity may also be detected by the doctor when the fluid movement is disrupted by the abnormality.

Save time and money by having your HSG test for blocked tubes at Fertility Answers

If the HSG test shows that your tubes are blocked, you can immediately discuss this with our reproductive specialists at the time of your visit.  Our doctors will likely recommend either a surgical procedure to directly view the tubes (laparoscopy) and attempt to clear the blockage or to bypass the tubes and perform in vitro fertilization (IVF). The fertility doctors at Fertility Answers can provide you with all the information and options if your HSG indicates that your tubes are blocked.

Additionally, having your HSG test for blocked tubes performed in our facility typically costs much less than in a hospital setting. And since this procedure may not be covered by insurance, this may be an important factor for you. Please contact us to compare pricing before you schedule an HSG elsewhere. If you are concerned your infertility may be caused by blocked fallopian tubes, give our office a call to schedule your consultation with one of our esteemed reproductive endocrinologists. We offer two convenient locations in South Louisiana to serve you.

Let's Get Started!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Like Us on Facebook