We've been told to get a HSG test but don't know whether to wait for the NHS or go private

[Erithhusband]

The NHS currently have a waiting period of 44 weeks in our local area, and we don't have any recommendations of private clinics at the moment either. Can anyone help? Or give some advice on what we should do?

[McQueeny]

Heya. It’s a tricky question as it’s all about your personal finances - 44 weeks sounds crazy long to wait, but only you know how much money you want to spend on testing….? Where are you based?

[Lizzielizzielizzie in reply to McQueeny]

44 weeks is crazy long. I assume you can’t get any other treatment whilst waiting for it?

[Erithhusband in reply to McQueeny]

We're in Erith Kent, south east london.

[Erithhusband in reply to Erithhusband]

I think this is next up before they can proceed to trying clomid etc. My wife has pcos, and doesn't really get periods unless induced with progesterone, so the HSG tes is to check the tubes...

[McQueeny in reply to Erithhusband]

Understood. It’s a really personal call, on whether you’re willing to wait for almost a year or not…. Have you found prices for a private option?

[Ivfgotadream]

HSG are difficult to come by privately as they require X-ray machines which most private clinics just don’t have rather than just standard ultrasound machines Have they said why you need one? If you are having IVF then I don’t see the need to have one as you will be bypassing the tubes anyway and all it’s really going to tell if you is if they are blocked or not? A HSG can’t determine whether your tubes actually work.

If they are looking for fluid then that should be seen on a standard ultrasound x

[Erithhusband in reply to Ivfgotadream]

Mainly to check if egg is being produced / getting through to ovaries. Due to a diagnosis of pcos and infrequent periods. We hadn't considered ivf yet. We're in our early 30's but having got married only a few years ago, we're still trying to work out all the procedures and the lack of info from our gp, and extreme waiting times for appointments with hospital gynaecology department is not helping.

[MrsOrangejuice]

When we had our initial referral this was one of the tests they said we could have that I hadn't had for general gynae issues already (and I've had a lot of tests). There wasn't a big wait at that point so we booked it but then the consultant said some women find it quite painful (no anaesthetic) and it wasn't necessary for us - she seemed to be saying that it was unlikely my tubes were blocked from scarring but one of the reasons women opt for an HSG is because the use of the contrast fluid actually flushes out any small blockages and fluid, or at least that's the theory because women often conceived naturally after having the procedure. I researched and got to the point of feeling it wasn't something that was necessary for me (having had a lot of investigations anyway and no scarring etc) and I have a pain condition so some of the stories about the procedure scared me (the consultant said when I asked it could be 'traumatic' for me). So we decided to just go straight into IVF. I think it will depend on what the suspected issue is for you and your age/if you feel in a rush. We were delayed by a year when the pandemic hit, and we still had successful treatment, but generally the younger you are the better the eggs etc. You can search for posts about the procedure on here and other forums and see success stories and not, which might help you decide.

[Erithhusband]

We've been looking at prices for private at the moment, and so far have found the cheapest to be £500 for a HSG test.

[Lizzielizzielizzie]

£500 really doesn’t seem that bad to me. But check with your GP or infertility consultant that if you have it done privately they will move you forward in terms of the next steps and not want to repeat it again themselves.