Timing of HSG - during fertile window

[Arya10]

I’ve finally got an NHS HSG appointment for 1 November (been waiting since July), which will land right in the middle of my fertile window.

I hate the thought of loosing a month of trying, as we’d need to not try that cycle due to the timing of the test, but I’m also desperate to know if my tubes are blocked or not. So far all tests have come back clear for both me and DH, we’ve been trying since Sept 2016 with no pregnancies at all.

What do you think I should do - stick with that appointment and ‘lose’ a month of trying, but potentially either find out what might be wrong/increase chances of conception for the following 3 months OR ask to reschedule the appointment (I don’t know how easy that is and how long I might have to wait).

Thanks!

[Sunshine92]

Im in a similar boat to you. Ive heard though that no matter where you are in your cycle they advise that you dont try that month anyway. Get the test and try and relax that month! Ive also heard a lot of women on here have the hsg and get pregnant the month after so let that be your focus ☺️ xx

[Arya10 in reply to Sunshine92]

I didn’t realise they advise not to try any time of that month, that’s good to know! Thanks Sunshine, I like the idea of focusing on afterwards. Are you getting an HSG test too?

[Sunshine92 in reply to Arya10]

I have an appt with gynae on 16th Oct to then be added to the waiting list. Like you all my other tests have come back as normal so unexplained also so I can really sympathise .. its awful. Let me know how you get on. Lots of luck & baby dust ✨ x

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Sunshine92]

Yes I was told not to try that month, as if you get pregnant before the test you’ll be too early for them to know and could lose baby, and they think there’s too high a risk of infection if you get pregnant after or something.

[Arya10 in reply to Lizzielizzielizzie]

The info they gave me says I can’t have the test if there’s any chance of being pregnant - but that I could have it right after my period before we would start trying. That’s what I meant about rescheduling (realising I didn’t explain that very well) to try time it at the beginning of my cycle. But hearing the advice you were given there’s no good time to have it done in the month. There’s nothing in what they sent me that says not to try after, but I wouldn’t want to risk it. Thanks!

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to Arya10]

I see, so there’s a really small window you could reschedule into, assuming your periods are very regular. You could see if they do have this available and if not just go for the appointment you do have? But as others have said, it’s a chance to move on so it’s good to get it done.

[Hidden]

I suspect rescheduling will be a pain. At some point, if you are not conceiving naturally, you are going to need to do this test before proceeding to other options eg clomid,IUI or IVF so you will always “lose a month” but it’s a personal decision as to when you feel ready to do that. There are stories of people who have conceived naturally the next cycle after an HSG- sometimes it can flush the tubes out

[Arya10 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Zoe, that’s a good point that it needs to be done at some point to go further. I guess the sooner I get it done the sooner we can keep moving forward, whatever the outcome!

[Arya10 in reply to Hidden]

I should add that they’d said to me if I could time it at the beginning of my cycle (after AF), then it would be fine to try that month after the test, so wouldn’t lose a month. But probs too difficult to time that with appointments being so scares.

[Hidden in reply to Arya10]

After I wrote my reply- I realised I couldn’t remember what the advice about intercourse was! For me, I found it a positive step as it felt like I was doing something to get closer to my goal but it’s different for everyone. It’s a tough journey but we get through it! Wishing you lots of luck xx

[genten]

From my experiences of waiting times with NHS I would keep the appointment. You will effectively lose a month but the appointment will add it's own value in one way or another. Xx

[Arya10 in reply to genten]

Thanks Genten, you’re right about it adding value in other ways.

Really appreciate everyone’s advice, I was already thinking I’d keep the appointment but was feeling a bit panicked about skipping a month, you’ve helped me see the bigger picture! Xx

[genten in reply to Arya10]

Aww I know, we don't know what to do for the best at times.

I think it's wise to keep the appointment. Hopefully you'll have no issues and if that's the case, that's one less worry to think about. And if it does highlight something (I hope it doesn't) then you'll have a plan of action... in any case you'll be able to move forward.

Xxx

[sarahharas]

When I had the HSG (in the beginning of my cycle though...) they explicitely told me that I can still try this month and that this would not affect the baby. They only dont do the HSG when you have ovulated as in case you would be pregnant you would harm the embryo.

However, rescheduling would be an option, but I think it depends on the clinic. In the clinic where I am, it is very easy to reschedule once you have an appointment. I got my period just the day before it was scheduled (which was very unexpected), and they would not do it when you are on your period, so I got an appointment for 1 week later. These departments have usually a very high cancellation rate, due to unexpected starts of the period, so sometimes it is very easy to reschedule, it might be worth asking. However, I agree with the comments above. Having it is not only an examination but also a kind of treatment thta is usually very positive, so stopping for 1 month might be worth it. But I know how bad that feels.

[Lyn84]

I made the mistake of having sex the last day of my period and they refused to do the test as they still thought there was a chance i could be pregnant even though i knew it was nowhere near when i ovulate they still refused that was in February so i have had to wait all this time just to get close to having it done again

[Arya10 in reply to Lyn84]

Wow that’s very strict of them. I’m

sorry to hear you’ve had to wait so long. I decided not to change it and just enjoy the break 😁 booked a massage too seeing as can’t get one of those either when ‘might be pregnant’

[Lyn84]

Im planning on doing the same sort of this as i will have to wait till at least the new yr to possibly try again I plan on getting more than a little merry at my xmas do