Help with SIS

[rena]

Dear All,
Have you done SIS (saline infusion sonogram) before? What's the test for?
My RE told that it could see if my tubes are open or whether I have hydrosalpinx through this test. How the test is done? Does it painful?
Thanks for your help!
Rena

[anagator]

Hi,
I'm from Canada and out here, we call this something different, I forget what... Sono hysterogram or HSG or something...
Anyhow, I had this test done last year, and it wasn't bad at all. I had some anxiety because it involved an internal sort of check (ick)... Then the doc put some sort of catheter in me, and injected idodine or saline into the catheter. He watched on a monitor to see if the fluid went into the uterus, and up through both tubes (coming out where the ovaries meet the tubes). I experienced some very light cramping (period like cramps) for a few hours after, and had some light light spotting for the day, but was otherwise fine. I was advised by doc to take two tylenol or advil 30 minutes or so before the test to reduce discomfort during the procedure, which I did do, and I'm sure helped. Not the most pleasant test to have, but definately relatively quick and painless. My test revealved that the one ovary I do have, was functioning just fine, and was not blocked at all. If it had been blocked, I am told that sometimes the process of forcing the iodine through the tube can help to unblock them. I'm not sure what else they do though if the tube(s) are blocked. Good luck with this test... please let us know what happens. Also, check with your doc before you take the tylenol before the test... some docs will say this may hinder the test because your uterine muscles won't contract as strongly as they otherwise might (they are relaxed due to medication) and this could negatively impact the test results. My doc disagreed with this, but I know other docs who are not for the tylenol before the test...

[rena]

Dear Anagator,

Thank you for your help! Did they take x-ray or use u/s to look?
Did they insert a probe inside the virginal? Did they remove the chatheter before inserting the probe? Can they see if the tubes are blocked?
Sorry for so many questions!
Thanks!
Rena

[anagator]

I believe they viewed results by ultrasound.
I don't remember anything else about what exactly they did though... just the basic idea. I'm sure that other ladies on the board can better explain the actual procedure... and if not... google the term HSG and infertility... I think it pops up pretty quick...
Sorry... I was really scared and anxious at the time....
So its hard to recall....
Good luck.