HyCoSy Tube Testing
A HyCoSy is a specialised ultrasound examination used to assess the fallopian tubes. It helps identify factors that may affect conception, including tubal blockage
What is a HyCoSy?
HyCoSy (Hysterosalpingo Contrast Sonography) is a fertility diagnostic procedure that combines transvaginal ultrasound imaging and specialist fluid to assess whether the fallopian tubes are open.
For natural conception to occur, the egg must travel from the ovary through the fallopian tube, where fertilisation takes place before the embryo reaches the uterus. If one or both tubes are blocked, conception may be more difficult.
Where appropriate, a HyCoSy can be combined with a Saline Sonography examination to provide a detailed assessment of the uterine cavity.
Following the HyCoSy examination, your results will be explained, and recommendations for any further investigations or treatment will be discussed where appropriate.
What to Expect During a HyCoSy
HyCoSy is a safe, well-tolerated procedure performed in the clinic and typically takes about 20 minutes. The examination is usually scheduled before you ovulate and after the menses have finished, typically between days 5 and 12 of your cycle. Timing may vary depending on the cycle. In some circumstances, a HyCoSy can be performed at other stages of the menstrual cycle, provided pregnancy has been reliably excluded. Our team will advise on the most appropriate timing for your individual circumstances.
The procedure begins with a transvaginal ultrasound scan. A fine tube (catheter) is then gently passed through the cervix into the uterine cavity, allowing a sterile contrast fluid to be introduced. Using ultrasound imaging, we observe the flow of the fluid through the fallopian tubes and assess whether they are open.
The contrast agent does not affect future fertility and is safely absorbed by the body.
Most patients describe the procedure as similar to, or slightly more uncomfortable than, a cervical smear test. Mild cramping during or shortly after the procedure is common, and some light spotting may occur for a short time afterwards.
FAQs
Will it be painful?
Most women experience mild cramping during a HyCoSy, similar to period pain. Discomfort is usually most noticeable when the tube is inserted and when the contrast fluid passes through the uterus and fallopian tubes.
Everyone’s experience is different. Some women experience only mild discomfort, whilst others find the procedure more uncomfortable, particularly if the tubes are blocked, or there is underlying pelvic pathology.
We recommend taking simple pain relief, such as paracetamol, before your appointment. Most women are able to drive to and from the clinic and return to their normal activities immediately afterwards.
It is common to experience mild cramping, light spotting or a small amount of watery discharge for a few days following the procedure.
Will the contrast dye affect my fertility?
No. The contrast fluid used during a HyCoSy is specifically designed for this type of procedure and is safely absorbed or expelled naturally by the body.
The procedure does not damage the fallopian tubes or reduce fertility. HyCoSy is generally very safe and is widely used to assess whether the fallopian tubes are open.
There is a small risk of infection following the procedure. To minimise this risk, we carefully assess individual risk factors and may recommend antibiotic treatment where appropriate. The procedure is not performed if there is any possibility of pregnancy, and you will be asked to perform a pregnancy test on arrival.
Unlike a hysterosalpingogram (HSG), which uses X-rays, HyCoSy uses ultrasound and therefore does not involve radiation exposure.
If one or both of my tubes are blocked, what happens next?
Finding that a tube is blocked is understandably worrying, but it is important to know that it does not mean the end of your fertility journey. What happens next depends on the nature and location of the blockage, and on your broader fertility picture.
If one tube is open, natural conception and IUI may still be possible, as ovulation alternates between ovaries and a single open tube can be sufficient. If both fallopian tubes are blocked, IVF bypasses the fallopian tubes entirely, as eggs are retrieved directly from the ovaries and fertilisation occurs in the laboratory. For many people, blocked tubes are the primary reason IVF is recommended, and outcomes are generally very good.
In some cases, particularly where a blockage is caused by a fluid-filled tube known as a hydrosalpinx, we may discuss surgical options before proceeding with IVF, as this type of blockage can affect implantation success. We will always take the time to clearly explain your specific findings and the options available to you.