Sonohysterography may also be referred to as hysterosonography, saline infused sonography (SIS), transvaginal sonography with fluid contrast augmentation, and the abbreviation SHG (sono-hystero-gram). This same test with special attention to the fallopian tubes may be referred to as sonosalpingography.
What Sonohysterography Is
During sonohysterography, a very thin tube (catheter) is placed inside the cervical opening. Saline solution (a sterilized salt water solution) is slowly introduced via the thin tube. The saline solution gently distends the uterus, so that the uterine walls move slightly away from each other. Think of your uterus as a deflated balloon. If you would introduce a small amount of water or air, the walls of the balloon would move away from each other. This is what the saline solution does during sonohysterography. As the saline solution is being introduced into the uterine cavity, a transvaginal ultrasound wand is used to evaluate the uterine shape and walls, and possibly also the fallopian tubes. If you haven’t had a transvaginal ultrasound yet, a long, slender wand known as a transducer is used. The wand is inserted into your vagina by the technician. The traducer wand emits sound waves that bounce off your body’s tissues. The sound waves that bounce back are echoes, and the transducer records these echoes. Ultrasound is completely painless. Transvaginal ultrasound can be done without the saline solution. However, it’s more difficult to detect some uterine abnormalities and the true uterine shape and structure without the saline solution. When the saline solution moves the uterine walls away from each other, uterine problems are easier to see.
Indications for an SHG
Reasons for ordering a sonohysterogram include:
Abnormal menstrual bleeding (extremely heavy or unusually light periods) Abnormal menstrual cramps Before IVF treatment (to confirm there are no uterine problems that may interfere with embryo implantation) Infertility Mid-cycle spotting Pelvic pain or pressure Post-menopausal bleeding Recurrent pregnancy loss (two or more miscarriages in a row)
A sonohysterogram looks for and can detect uterine shape and congenital uterine abnormalities (like uterine septum, which is when tissue divides the uterus), polyps (non-cancerous growths) on the uterine lining, and fibroids (especially if they are protruding into the uterine cavity). The test may also evaluate uterine adhesions (scar tissue), abnormal endometrial tissue growths (which may or may not be cancerous), and the overall thickness or thinness of the uterine wall and endometrium.
Risks
Sonohysterography is a safe fertility test. There is a very low risk of infection. It’s rare, occurring less than 1% of the time. The test should not be done if you’re pregnant. If you think you might be, tell your doctor. It should also not be done if you have an active pelvic or vaginal infection.
Cost
A sonohysterogram typically costs between $500 and $700. If the test is combined with other procedures, the cost will be more. Your insurance may or may not cover the test. Coverage usually depends on why the test is being done. For example, if it’s for abnormal menstrual bleeding, your insurance is more likely to cover it. If it’s done in preparation for IVF treatment, it may not be covered. Be sure to talk to with the financial advisor at your fertility clinic and your insurance provider before the test.
Other Fertility Tests
Sonohysterography is one of a few tests that can be used to evaluate the fallopian tubes, uterine cavity, and endometrium. The other tests include:
HSG (which is specialized X-ray) Hysteroscopy (which involves placing an ultra-thin camera through the cervix to visualize the inside of the uterus) Laparoscopy (which is an invasive surgical procedure, required for endometriosis diagnosis) Transvaginal ultrasound (ultrasound without the saline solution)
You might be wondering why there are so many different tests to evaluate the same thing. The answer is that each test has its advantages and disadvantages. Depending on the cause of your fertility problems, one test may be better at detecting the issue than another. In some cases, like with hysteroscopy or laparoscopy, the test can also be used for surgical treatment.
HSG and MET
Some doctors prefer sonohysterography over an HSG. An HSG requires the use of X-ray. While the radiation levels are very low, sonohysterography avoids exposing your reproductive organs to any radiation. Other doctors may order a sonohysterography at the same time as an HSG. Research has found that the combination of tests may be better at detecting some uterine fertility problems. The advantage of having an HSG and sonohysterogram at the same time is the catheter needs to be placed only once. (Both tests involve pushing fluid through a catheter that is placed in the cervix.) This may mean less discomfort and anxiety for you. As always, you should discuss with your doctor the risks and potential benefits of any fertility test or treatment. Additionally, if you’re going to have IVF treatment, your doctor may schedule sonohysterography and the same time as a mock embryo transfer (MET/SHG).
Will the Test Hurt?
This is a number one concern and question for many women, and understandably so. A sonohysterogram should not hurt. While you may experience some discomfort (the same kind you may have during a pap smear), and very slight cramping when they introduce the saline solution, many report no pain at all. However, pain varies from woman to woman. Things that may impact whether the test is more uncomfortable for you include:
Anxiety: the more stressed you are, the more likely you are to experience discomfort. Remember to breathe Difficulty placing the catheter: if your cervix is narrow or your uterus is unusually tilted If there are blockages or uterine problems: if the fluid can’t spill out from the fallopian tubes as it should, this can be painful If you experience pain during regular gynecological examinations: if a pap smear is very difficult for you, this may also be uncomfortable The doctor’s technique
It’s natural to search the Internet for other women’s experiences. Keep in mind if you search fertility forums that women with the extra painful stories may be more likely to talk about their experiences than those who had no pain or discomfort—and that all the information may not be accurate. If you struggle with pain during sexual intercourse, pain during your yearly gynecological check-up, or have vaginismus, talk to your doctor about getting more than just over-the-counter pain relief for the exam. Many women report that sonohysterography is the least painful fertility test of this sort. Additionally, some women report not feeling anything except the placement of the speculum.
How to Prepare for the Test
As always, talk to your doctor about what you should do before the test. This test should be done after your period ends but before you ovulate. This is to avoid accidentally doing the test in early pregnancy. If you don’t get your periods, your doctor may prescribe Provera or another medication to bring on menstruation. You may be asked to take antibiotics prophylactically. This is more likely if you’re at a higher risk for infection. Many doctors recommend taking over-the-counter pain relief about 30 minutes before the scheduled test. Typically, 400 mg of ibuprofen is suggested. If you can’t take ibuprofen, talk to your doctor about your options.
During the Procedure
First, you will be asked to use the restroom, if you haven’t done so yet. Unlike some other kinds of ultrasounds, you should have an empty bladder for this test. In the exam room, you’ll remove your clothing from the waist down. You may be given a gown or sheet to put over your legs. You’ll lie on your back on the exam table. If there are stirrups, you will put your feet in them and slide your bottom forward to the edge of the table. If there are no stirrups, you’ll be asked to bend your legs at the knees, placing your feet on the table, in a sort of frog leg position. (Don’t worry, the nurse or technician will help you.) Most likely (but not always), the technician or doctor will do a regular transvaginal ultrasound. The transvaginal ultrasound wand (or transducer) will have a condom placed over it and some lubricant. They will either gently insert the wand vaginally or hand you the wand and ask you to insert it vaginally as far as it goes. Then, they will move the wand around to get ultrasound pictures. This is may be slightly uncomfortable but should not at all be painful. After this, the transducer is removed. Next, the doctor will take a speculum (usually a metal or plastic device that is used during gynecological exams) and place it into your vagina. Your doctor will use a cotton swab to disinfect the cervical area. This may feel like a pap smear. Next, your doctor will take an ultra-thin plastic tube (the catheter) and place it into your cervical opening. You may have slight cramping or you may feel nothing at all. Now, your doctor will place a tiny balloon next to the catheter and fill it up with either air or water. This balloon holds the catheter in place. Your doctor will remove the speculum. They will then either hand the transvaginal ultrasound wand to you to place into your vagina or insert it themself. While the transvaginal ultrasound wand is in place, your doctor will feed saline solution through the catheter. The saline solution will go into your uterus and through your fallopian tubes. You may feel cramping or not feel anything at all. Your doctor may also want to take some trans-abdominal ultrasound images. In this case, gel will be applied to your abdomen and a differently shaped transducer will be moved over the gel. Your doctor may press down with slight pressure over on your abdomen. If you’re having a sonosalpingography (which checks the fallopian tubes), a very small amount of air may be introduced through the catheter. This is to create bubbles that can be seen on the ultrasound machine. The technician hopes to see the bubbles move through the fallopian tubes. After your doctor has gotten all the images they need, the wand will be removed, the catheter and balloon are removed, and you’re done. When you sit or stand up, expect to feel some of the fluid leak out.
After the Procedure
Assuming you only had a sonohysterogram and no other procedures, you should be able to go right back to work after the test. If you had the exam in the morning, you can resume your normal daily activities that afternoon. You may experience very mild cramping the day of the test. Whatever pain medication you take for regular menstrual cramps should relieve your discomfort. You may find yourself leaking out the saline solution from the exam over the next 24 to 48 hours. You may also have some light spotting. Be sure to bring some menstrual pads for the leakage. Don’t use tampons or anything you put inside your vagina. This is to avoid increasing the risk of infection. If you had a sonohysterogram combined with other procedures, your recovery may be slightly different. Talk to your doctor about what to expect.
When to Contact Your Doctor
You should not have sexual intercourse for two to three days following the procedure. This is to avoid infection. Also, contact your doctor if you experience:
Anything that feels worrisome to youCramping or pain that continues past the first dayFeverIncreased bleeding (more than just light spotting)Sudden severe pain the day of the test
Interpreting the Results
The doctor or technician who does the sonohysterogram may or may not be able to tell you the results. You will likely schedule a follow-up with your doctor soon after the exam. If the test was normal, your doctor may:
Approve your upcoming IVF cycle (if this was part of IVF preparation)Create a fertility treatment plan, using the information gained from your entire fertility evaluationOrder additional testing
If a sonohysterogram finds abnormalities, the next step partially depends on what the doctor found and your goal in testing. For example, if polyps or fibroids were found, your doctor will discuss with you the pros and cons of removing them. (They may not need to be removed.) Polyps may be removed via surgical hysteroscopy. This is done under general anesthesia. Small fibroids may be removed with surgical hysteroscopy as well. However, larger ones may require laparoscopy (an outpatient procedure) or even abdominal myomectomy (surgery that requires an overnight stay or two in the hospital.) Uterine septum may be diagnosed with sonohysterography. Uterine septum is when tissue that should not be there separates the uterus down the middle. This separation may be partial or it may go all the way down to the cervix. It can cause infertility and repeated pregnancy loss. This is a rare congenital problem (you are born with it), but it can be corrected with surgery, usually a surgical hysteroscopy.
