We’ve been doing IVF for one year now and have had 4 FET’s (well 3 technically as they were unable to access my cervix in the first one so had to abandon it and have a hysteroscopy) and I’ve seen a few posts in this time about HyCoSy. I always just assumed this was a test that was carried out after a few failed rounds or between collection and transfer but have literally just googled it and realised what it is!
Anyway…in our early test days I was told by the consultant that checking my Fallopian tubes was pointless as we are unexplained infertility (so ovulating and regular periods, no sperm or male fertility concerns) and therefore the next step would be IVF regardless of the HyCoSy test. As it’s a bit uncomfortable he said he would just refer us to the clinic. Is this something I should have had done or will it not affect our chances of a successful pregnancy? I have had 1 positive pregnancy test in the past which ended 1 week later. I have a virtual follow up appointment on Tuesday so just hoping I can be a bit more clued up beforehand.
Lots of love and baby dust to all x
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Alwaysbelieving
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I had a HyCoSy after my first unsuccessful transfer as my doctor said I had fluid in my uterus before the transfer and wanted to check my tubes were clear as if they were leaking, that could effect my transfer. So I think it’s worth a check.
It is uncomfortable but it’s over very quickly if you can grin and bear it 🤍 xx
Hello, I don’t know your exact history or condition but we could not fall pregnant naturally for a while. I chose to do HyCoSy first before jumping into IVF straight away as I felt IVF was too invasive. Well, after the procedure I fell pregnant straight away (which apparently is quite common) and then another time a few months later. It is an uncinfortable procedure but cost, affect and the whole process does not compare with one round of IVF if it would be what you need. You can take painkilkers beforehand too to help you get through. Maybe get a second opinion if it would be worth fir you trying that based on your medical history.
How bizarre! I had my my hycosy early on when they were testing, because we had unexplained fertility. She said sometimes the tubes are a little blocked and the hycosy works and increases fertility for up to 3 months after - I so I had to have this and try and in the end all tests on me were unfounded. We had a borderline male factor issue so were accepted for ivf on that basis. However, if your tubes were blocked but you’ve already had ivf, then having a hycosy won’t help you. You don’t need to produce eggs from your tubes to have have a successful ivf implantation. So I’m dumbfounded why they’d be suggesting that now
I've never had this and have had 4 rounds of IVF. However, I completely get where you're coming from. Because none of my IVF rounds were eligible to be done on the NHS I've done them all private and I do worry sometimes that because I haven't had any invasive tests outside of the normal IVF scans etc, that there is something not quite right somewhere. Unless it's just bad luck, there must be a reason we aren't conceiving naturally. There is no sign of a hydrosalpinx (which I think the IVF doctor CAN see on their internal scans) but I worry that I have something like silent endo somewhere, with no symptoms, which is causing problems ... xx
I kind of agree that if you are going with IVF it doesn't matter about your tubes, but there is a lot more a HyCosy can show = when I had mine my tubes were fine but we discovered I had a heart shaped uterus and it was split in two, and we didn't really know the severity of that until I had this procedure. However there are other ways of finding this out such as an MRI or a 3DSis. But then having said that if you have had a hysteroscopy and all looked fine then there isn't necessarily anything more you can learn x
I was never offered the HyCoSy either, I was told there was little point as we were having IVF anyway. I've also always wondered whether I should have had this. I had an early natural pregnancy about a year and a half ago (ending in miscarriage) suggesting my tubes must be at least partially open. But like you I have always wondered but when I bring it up I'm told there's no point xx
Sorry to hear of your loss it’s just heartbreaking!
Yeah I have always just wondered about it really and whether I have missed out on anything showing up. Seems like it won’t make much difference now though anyway. It i will still mention it in my appointment tomorrow x
Hi! I had a HyCosy as a part of the testing process with the sub fertility clinic.. this was a requirement to move forward with treatment and before we were referred to the fertility clinic. The procedure took a lot longer than expected and was uncomfortable, but when is anything ever comfortable when there's someone looking and poking at your bits with a big light! 😂🙈 The HyCosy came back inconclusive, so we don't know for definite if my tubes were blocked or not. (All other tests came back without any issues and we'd been TTC for 2 1/2 years without any positive pregnancy tests).
We were told based on all the test results, we'd be referred for IVF, whether they looked further at my tubes or not - as they advised it wouldn't make any difference. So we went ahead with the IVF!
Good to know, thank you for replying. “Someone poking at your bits with a big light” 😂😂 made me laugh! That must have been very frustrating coming back as inconclusive though! x
Yeah it was.. however i can imagine the frustration being worse if it found my tubes to be clear! We looked as it as it was giving us a potential reason why we'd never fallen pregnant.I'm happy to share if it can help in any way, even if it is just a giggle! ☺ To think i used to panic when going for a smear... it's got nothing on IVF 😂🙈 x
I’m surprised that they didn’t suggest a hycosy for unexplained infertility before jumping straight to ivf. I already have one child so decided not to go for a hycosy initially because I have low ovarian reserve and am 40 so didn’t want to lose too much time trying naturally before going for ivf. But when I spoke with an nhs consultant separately hycosy was his first recommendation…
I was being asked for hyCosy but I didnt go for it as I was able to conceive naturally but always had early miscarriage so after first failed IVF, I had dilation and curettage and second IVF was success
Hey, this is the first time I’m hearing about this test. I was never offered this or any investigation and was referred to IVF clinic straight away for unexplained infertility. I’ve never had a positive test and I always wondered about my tube. It’s very strange that they don’t offer this to some of us in the beginning. Seems to vary from one GP or clinic to the other. Best of luck to you xx
I had a Hycosy before before being referred for IVF. At the time It seemed to be standard practice for the hospital to do this before doing the referral. It was inconclusive, and I was given the choice between a laparoscopy to investigate further or going straight to IVF. They recommended IVF and said that it might just work whereas laparoscopy is more invasive. We chose the latter, but I regret not asking to be put on the waiting list for a laparoscopy. One year and 3 failed transfers later, like you, I've booked a follow up with the hospital to ask if they'd recommend a laparoscopy and so I can be put on the list. Blocked Tubes if they leak can prevent implantation.I'm also planning to do immune testing, and do another round. If it doesn't work one year on I plan to go for the laparoscopy.
If I was you I think I would push for the Hycosy. It was a bit unconfortable, but didn't bother me that much.
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