Is HSG a Safe procedure...I Also Need Natural Ways to Lower My Testoterone Level

To tell you the truth, my HSG was the easiest and probably the safest part of my infetility journey... radiation exposure, possible iodine allergy and infection are all risks, but these happen in very few people.

After 2 years of trying to do the natural route, I ended up combining western and eastern medicine with good results with acupuncture and IVF.

However, acupuncture is not going to help a woman get pregnant if her problem stems from something that needs surgical correction, such as a blockage in her fallopian tubes. But it can help some women, because it improves circulation to the ovaries — which makes for healthier eggs — and to the uterus, which increases the chances the lining will be strong enough to hold those eggs to full term.

I would see a practitioner to determine if they can help you with your hormone levels. My practioner helped with my low progesterone levels.

Good luck to you!
K.

I have done the hsg test. it was fine - a little uncomfortable but pretty straightforward. I know quite a few women who have had it and they all seem to have had the same experience - relatively easy but a little uncomfortable. This may just be me, but my general view on "natural" is "twice as expensive, half as effective if not ineffective." I wouldn't mess around with something generally unproven and unregulated by FDA. Instead, I would ask my doc what he/she generally recommends for high testosterone and then research on PubMed the NIH's web tool for medical research. Good Luck.

I've had an HSG. Yes they are safe and done all the time to make sure the fallopian tubes are open. Just remember to take Motrin before the procedure, as you will probably have some cramping and light bleeding.

Hi T.:

My husband and I were also trying to conceive with no luck. My gyno suggested I try this procedure, and scheduled me to have it done at a hospital. It's a pretty short procedure, I say it took about 1 hour, but it was a bit painful. I was back to work right after I had the procedure done; you're just a bit sore. For me it was worth it, because I had it done and a month or two later I found out I was pregnant. Now I have a beautiful, energetic 18 month old little boy. I would say definitely try it out, hopefully you get the same results! I really don't know about the testosterone levels, I don't remember whether I had a test done for this, if I did, they were probably normal. Good Luck!

Go see Dr. Karyn Mitchell in St. Charles-she is a Natural Dr. and you will get pregnant w/o expensive drugs and without side effects. She is wonderful and has helped several people achieve their health goals. Good Luck. ###-###-####. Maria

Hi T.,

I had an HSG when I was undergoing fertility treatments. It is pretty painless and very safe. The only thing that I felt was some pressure in my uterus when the dye was injected, otherwise, I felt fine. Some people recommend taking ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) about an hour prior to the procedure and that should help with any discomfort. The fertility doc needs to do the test to determine if your fertility problem stems from any tubal blockage (as mine did). They used In-vitro to get around my problem of blocked tubes and it worked twice so far. Best of luck to you with your fertility treatment. Hang in there, I know that it seems so difficult to deal with at times, but it is definitely worth the effort. Take care.

Hi T.. It was totally safe for me! Plus, there's a certain percentage of women who conceive naturally, after having the HSG. (I didn't.) My RE told me my testosterone levels were too high for my ovaries, but I don't know of any "cure" for this, natural or otherwise. I ended-up conceiving on my third round of IUI. If you have any specific questions, feel free to send me a message. Best of luck to you!

EDIT: After reading some of the other posts, I remember than my RE put me on a medication called Metformin. It's the same drug that Type 2 diabetics take to help counter their insulin-resistance. (If the body is less insulin-resistant, then your body will produce less insulin...thus possibly lowering the impact of the testosterone.)

The hsg is a safe procedure as far as I know. I had two of them when I was going through infertility treatments. However, I want to caution you that it can be painful, so take advantage of any pain medication they offer you. Sorry, don't know about the testoterone level thing.

I'm not sure what you've tried so far, but I recommend contacting Dr. Thomas Hilgers at the Pope Paul VI Institute in Omaha. Try the naprotechnology.com website. His success rate for infertility is over 80%, compared to the IVF rate of 23%. He will find the root cause of your fertility issues and has ways of correcting them.

T.,

I've had 2 HSG procedures and to my knowledge it is safe. However, I would highly recommend that they provide pain medication. I've had it with and without and it was excruciating without, when I had it with, it was no big deal. The first was an OB/GYN and the second was a reproductive endocrinologist. Mine turned out fine, but you do need it in order to ever move to any infertility drugs (Clomid, etc.)

I'm not familiar with your hormone levels, but was 34 when we tried to conceive our first child and finally had him at 36, and started at 36 for the 2nd and had her at 39. My recommendation is to be proactive--we had no known fertility problems other than being a bit older and do live a healthy lifestyle, exercise, diet, etc.

We also did natural treatments, such as acupuncture, herbs, etc. in combination with medical treatments. We are thankful for holistic medicines, IUI and IVF as it gave us 2 gorgeous, healthy children.

A. E

I had HSG done as well and it's totally safe. There is some minor discomfort, though ~ just like cramps. My doctor had given me some pain meds to take. Also, make sure you tell them if you have mitral valve prolapse as the bacteria can make it's way to your heart and cause serious problems. A lot of people I know got pregnant after the HSG (not me), so hopefully that will help you. Good luck ~ I know how hard infertility can be.

Testsoterone can run high with a thing called PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) - which can also cause fertility issues (ask your fertility doc if this is a problem for you). If this is the case - getting your insulin levels lowered can help get your hormones more normal. New Glucose Revolution Guide to Living Well with PCOS is a good book to help you understand the relationship.

I agree with all the other posts - safe, interesting, can unblock clogged tubes. For me though, it was really painful. It didn't last long and was fine, but I was surprised how much it hurt. I was glad a friend was there to drive me home as I was shaky afterward. So, I would definitely take pain meds prior to the procedure. I think it's not too painful for most, but my doc said sometimes the tubes spasm and a lot of pressure builds trying to get the dye through. I don't mean to scare you, but just want you to know that pain is a possibility. It's quick lived, though and worth it!

T.,

I had an HSG and it as one other mentioned pretty easy, yes there is always a risk of complications as with anything. But I have to tell you I was watching on the screen as my doctor did the procedure and actually thought it was kinda neat to see. This really is the easeist things that I did for fertility issues so please don't worry everything should be fine & if you get lucky if there is a blockage it might just be flushed thru. Best of luck!!

Niacinamide (a form of the Niacin) is a natural remedy for lowering testosterone. My dermatologist recommended it as a natural alternative to going on the pill to reduce the excess testosterone that was causing me adult acne. However, I don't know how it would fit in to a fertility treatment. I wasn't trying to get pregnant, so I don't know if it's safe for pregnancy/pre-pregnancy.

I would totally recommend the HSG procedure. I just had it done in January and found out both of my fallopian tubes were blocked. The dye itself was able to unblock them and I actually got pregnant that month. I am due in October. You will get a better idea if there is a problem with your fallopian tubes or your uterus. The procedure itself is a little uncomfortable, but well worth it. My ob-gyn said this is the first step that should be taken when going through infertility problems. Good Luck!

I had the HSG done 4 times prior to having my children. Other that some slight discomfort from air, the first time, it was painless. I was told many women get pregnant soon after having the procedure although they are not sure why. Both of my pregnancies were soon after have the procedure, even though my tubes appeared to be open. I also had fertility help. Good luck.

I had an HSG. I have had two kids since, so apparently it was safe for me. BUT, just so you know, in my experience it was VERY PAINFUL. During the procedure I kept thinking, "forget it, I don't want kids this bad!" I did make it through the precedure because I couldn't even speak to tell my doctor to stop! I have one friend that didn't think it was painful at all and two who like me thought it was awful and one even fainted from the pain, during the procedure. Of the four of us, three of us have had kids since. Best of luck to you!