Day 11

Yesterday was day ten of my cycle. My doctor ordered an HSG test this month to ensure my tubes are not obstructed. There is a lot of information on the net about the test some accurate, some not. I will attempt to report my experience in the most accurate way I know how. The test is a special type of x-ray whereby the radiologist injects a special type of dye directly into the opening of the cervix and the liquid flows backwards into the tubes and spills out into the cavity. The liquid is supposed to be harmless and is either absorbed by your body or exits though the vaginal opening. I was asked to wear a sanitary napkin after the test and did experience some leakage. The amount of liquid used in the procedure is small and did not present a problem for me. The test was short in duration, about five to ten minutes from start to finish. The test begins with the radiologist inserting the speculum in to the vaginal opening. He then began to clean my cervix with iodine to prevent infection. This was done a total of three times - the standard. he then inserted a small - think size of a ball point pen head - catheter into the opening of my cervix which he then inflated to form a seal. He then injected the liquid into my cervix all the while I was under the x-ray machine. the liquid flowed through both of my tubes, he removed the equipment, and the test was over. The catheter was painful and the inflation of the balloon was even more painful but it was extremely short lived - a few seconds of pain and three to five minutes for the test. My doctor prescribed doxycycline for three days to prevent any infection. I got nauseous that morning from the doxycycline because I did not eat with the medication. All in all, I am glad I did the test. My tubes are open and that is great news. They are smaller than I has imagined. The test was put on disk and I brought it to my fertility specialist that afternoon. I will have an ultrasound and maybe a shot on Sunday and we will see if this round nets results.