What is sonohysterography?

Sonohysterography is a procedure to look at the inside of the uterus. It’s a safe, painless test that uses sound waves and a computer to create images. It doesn't use radiation.

The uterus is the organ where a baby grows during pregnancy. The bottom of the uterus is called the cervix. This is the opening into the uterus. The cervix sits at the top of the vagina.

During sonohysterography, you’ll be awake and lying down with your knees bent. A slim wand called an ultrasound transducer is placed in your vagina. This wand is covered with a disposable sheath and coated with a special gel.

Your healthcare provider will then insert a thin, flexible tube (catheter) into your cervix. A salty fluid called saline is sent through the catheter into your uterus. At the same time, the transducer sends high-frequency sound waves through the gel and into your body. The echoes from these sound waves can create a real-time image of the inside of your uterus. This can show the structure of your uterus. The saline fluid helps the ultrasound form an image with sharper detail. Your healthcare provider can use this information to diagnose a number of different health conditions.

In some cases, the procedure may be done without saline. For example, it wouldn’t be used during pregnancy.

Doppler ultrasound may be used at the same time, with the same transducer. This can give information about how blood is flowing through the vessels in your uterus.

Why might I need sonohysterography?

Healthcare providers use sonohysterography to help diagnose many health conditions, including:

• Uterine fibroids

• Uterine polyps

• Scarring inside your uterus

• Abnormal shape of the uterus

• Uterine cancer

Your healthcare provider might advise this test if you have symptoms that suggest a problem with your uterus, such as:

• Abnormal menstrual bleeding

• Infertility

• Repeated miscarriages

• An abnormal pelvic exam

You might need this test if a standard ultrasound test doesn’t show enough information to diagnose a problem.

Sonohysterography has some benefits over other tests used to get information about the uterus. Other tests include:

• Hysterosalpingography. This is a type of X-ray that uses radiation.

• Hysteroscopy. This is a surgical procedure that needs to be done with anesthesia.

• MRI. This is an imaging test done with large magnets and a computer. An MRI may not give as clear a picture of the inside of the uterus. 

What are the risks of sonohysterography?

Sonohysterography is a safe procedure with few risks. Some women feel discomfort during the procedure. In very rare cases, there is a small risk of pelvic infection. Your healthcare provider will take steps to help prevent this.

Women who have active pelvic inflammatory disease shouldn't have the procedure. Your provider might advise a pregnancy test before the procedure. This is to prevent any possible risk to a growing baby. Pregnant women should not have a saline sonohysterography exam.

Talk with your healthcare provider to find out what risks may apply to you.

How do I get ready for sonohysterography?

• It’s best to have the procedure in the week after your period ends. This will help the test be more accurate. It will also lower your risk of infection.

• You can eat and drink as normal on the day of your procedure. You will likely be able to take all of your medicines as normal.

• Your healthcare provider may advise taking an over-the-counter pain medicine ahead of time. This is to help prevent discomfort.

• You may be told to take an antibiotic before the test. This is to help prevent infection.

• You may want to wear an absorbent pad in your underwear on the day of the procedure. This is because saline fluid will drain from your uterus after the procedure.

Your healthcare provider may give you more instructions about how to prepare.

What happens during sonohysterography?

The test is done at a healthcare provider’s office or at a hospital. A technician or a radiologist may do the procedure. A radiologist is a healthcare provider who specializes in using imaging methods to diagnose and treat diseases. The test usually lasts less than 30 minutes. You can generally expect the following:

1. Before the procedure starts, you’ll need to empty your bladder. You’ll then undress from the waist down and lie on an exam table. You will be awake and alert for the test. You may have mild cramping during and after the procedure.

2. Your healthcare provider may first give you a pelvic exam to check for any pain.

3. The healthcare provider will cover the transducer wand with a thin sheath and a special gel. The wand will then be put into your vagina.

4. The healthcare provider may move the wand slightly to get different images of your uterus. These images appear on a video screen. This is a standard vaginal ultrasound.

5. After taking these images, the healthcare provider will take the transducer out.

6. They will then insert a speculum into your vagina. This is the same device used in a standard vaginal exam. This helps keeps the vagina open so the provider can see and reach your cervix.

7. The healthcare provider may use a swab to wipe and clean your cervix.

8. Next a thin catheter will be put into the opening of your cervix. You may feel slight pinching or cramping as the catheter is inserted. The speculum will then be removed from your vagina.

9. The provider then puts the wand back into your vagina. Saline will be sent through the catheter through the cervix and into the uterus. This may cause some cramping. When enough saline fluid fills your uterus, images are taken of the inside of your uterus.

10. After the images are taken, the healthcare provider removes the wand and catheter. The saline fluid will drain out of your uterus over the next few hours.

What happens after a sonohysterography?

You will likely be able to go home right after your procedure. In most cases, you can resume your normal activities right away. The saline fluid will drain out of your uterus over the next few hours.

For a little while after the procedure, you might have symptoms, such as:

• Cramping

• Light spotting

• Fluid leaking from your vagina

These are all normal. Most women don't have pain after the procedure. If you do, you can take over-the-counter pain medicine.

Let your healthcare provider know right away if you have severe pain or fever in the next few days. Also let your provider know if there is a change in the type or amount of your vaginal discharge. These might be signs of an infection. Your provider may give you more instructions.

After the exam, a radiologist will look at the images and send a report to your primary healthcare provider. Talk over these results with your provider. The results may confirm a health condition that needs treatment. You may need another test, such as a hysteroscopy. Your provider can tell you more.

Next steps

Before you agree to the test or procedure make sure you know:

• The name of the test or procedure

• The reason you are having the test or procedure

• What results to expect and what they mean

• The risks and benefits of the test or procedure

• What the possible side effects or complications are

• When and where you are to have the test or procedure

• Who will do the test or procedure and what that person’s qualifications are

• What would happen if you did not have the test or procedure

• Any alternative tests or procedures to think about

• When and how will you get the results

• Who to call after the test or procedure if you have questions or problems

• How much will you have to pay for the test or procedure