A hysterosonography is a new and innovative technique that helps doctors see inside the uterus in a new and accurate way. A hysterosonography actually involves a slow infusion of sterile saline into the uterus during an ultrasound. Infusing the uterus with the sterile saline allows doctors to see and really evaluate abnormal growths within the uterus, abnormal tissues lining the uterus, and also to keep tabs on disorders affecting deeper tissue layers. Sometimes an ordinary ultrasound just isn’t good enough, so a doctor will use a hysterosonography because it’s non-invasive but can give doctors the images and information they would normally get with surgery or other invasive procedures.
A hysterosonography is not used for all women because most women can undergo a regular ultrasound and provide their doctor with all the information that they need. But, in some situations a doctor really needs more information to make decisions about treatments or surgical options. A hysterosonography is typically used on peri or post menopausal women who are experiencing unexplained bleeding. Women with abnormal endometrium with a typical ultrasound are often sent for a hysterosonography because it will give the doctors some more information about exactly what is going on inside the uterus. Women who are experiencing fertility problems are often sent for this procedure when many things have been tried with no success. Infertility is often caused by polyps, fibroids, and adhesions, which are usually easily found with the help of a hysterosonography. Another group of women that regularly undergo a hysterosonography are those that are being treated for breast cancer with Tamoxifen therapy.
As you can see, there are many groups of women who can benefit from a hysterosonography but this is by no means the only circumstance in which your doctor might order such a procedure. Luckily, the hysterosonography is very non-invasive and will allow you to get back to your life quickly instead of recovering from exploratory surgery or other more invasive techniques that were employed before this technology came into play. Technological advances have helped women and doctors work together to gain more accurate information as well as devise a treatment plan.
If your doctor has scheduled you for a hysterosonography, you might feel a little bit nervous, but you don’t need to feel nervous about the procedure. A hysterosonography is very non-invasive and won’t feel much different from your average, every day ultrasound. So, temper your anxiety with the idea that you’ll be getting the best information you can without actually cutting into your body. No one wants to have a hysterosonography done, but it’s technology that will help women recover more quickly and may even save lives.
