Causes & Treatment
HyCoSy – A Fertility Specialist Answers All
Eloise Edington | 24 Mar 2022
If you’re finding it hard to get pregnant, you’re not alone. One in seven couples has difficulty TTC and approximately 30% of cases are a result of female fertility problems.
There are many reasons why a woman might experience fertility difficulties, such as genetics, lifestyle, conditions like PCOS or endometriosis, or structural problems that affect the reproductive system.
When you’re about to start fertility treatment, your clinic will conduct some tests to understand why you’re struggling to conceive and devise a treatment plan. One of the tests you might be offered is a hysterosalpingo contrast sonography – also known as a HyCoSy. Many people in our fertility community (follow our Insta) have questions about this procedure so we’ve asked fertility specialist, Dr Héctor Izquierdo, at IVF-Life Alicante to answer your FAQs about HyCoSy tests.
The teams at IVF-Life fertility clinics specialise in complex cases, and all patients have a personal assistant who speaks their language, making IVF-Life fertility clinics ideal locations for IVF abroad. Visit IVF-Life’s profile here and their website here.
Read on to find out:
- What is a HyCoSy and what is its purpose?
- When would a HyCoSy be recommended?
- How is a HyCoSy performed?
- Does HyCoSy help you get pregnant?
- How do I prepare for a HyCoSy?
- Is a HyCoSy painful and how long do you bleed for afterwards?
- What should I do if a HyCoSy shows I have blocked tubes?
What is a HyCoSy and when would it be recommended?
A HyCoSy is one of the tests we use at IVF-Life to check the fertility of our patients and its purpose is to assess whether fertility issues are a result of anatomical complications. A woman may have fertility problems because of structural alterations of the uterine lining, making it hard for the embryo to implant. If she has an obstruction in her fallopian tubes, it might stop the egg or sperm from reaching each other.
The HyCoSy test allows us to see (in real-time) if fluid can move from the womb to the tubes. It also shows if there are abnormalities in the lining (such as polyps or fibroids) that disturb the cavity and inhabit the place the embryo needs to implant and grow.
Knowing the status of your womb and tubes will help your fertility specialist to decide which type of therapy is suitable for you and whether surgery could enhance your fertility.
How is a HyCoSy performed?
A HyCoSy test can be performed in your fertility specialist’s consultation room and is often so simple that may be performed without sedation or anaesthesia. Knowing the simplicity of this test makes it a recommended first-time diagnostic tool for specialists in reproduction medicine.
Is a HyCoSy needed if you’re having IVF and can a HyCoSy help you get pregnant?
Patients who are having IVF treatment may still benefit from a HyCoSy to rule out any uterine pathologies that are reducing their chances of pregnancy. In fact, pregnancies directly after a HyCoSy are quite commonly reported, probably because the fluid moving through the tubes may have unblocked them, allowing an easier passage for the sperm to reach the egg.
How do I prepare for a HyCoSy?
Preparing for HyCoSy doesn’t require you to do much. Some doctors recommend using disinfecting vaginal pessaries to reduce the risk of infection, although it is usually enough for the doctor will clean your vagina before the test.
Is a HyCoSy painful and how long do you bleed for afterwards?
Bleeding after a HyCoSy shouldn’t be a reason to be scared and it usually doesn’t last long. If the bleeding is heavier than your regular bleeding you should consult your fertility specialist. If you experience pain after the HyCoSy procedure, your doctor can advise you about which painkillers you could take to help.
What should I do if a HyCoSy shows I have blocked tubes?
If the test shows a blockage of the tubes, it can explain why you are struggling to conceive naturally. Fertility treatment would be the next sensible step although IUI is unlikely to be suitable, so you could consider discussing IVF treatment with your fertility doctor.
The Ribbon Box would like to thank Dr Héctor Izquierdo at IVF-Life for sharing his expertise on HyCoSy tests. Understanding the different fertility tests available and the information they provide helps us feel more empowered on our journeys to building a family.
When you’re ready to discuss the next steps in your fertility treatment, contact the fertility specialists at IVF-Life here.
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