Fallopian tubes are the passage through which sperm reaches the egg for fertilization. So existence of fallopian tubes without any damage or block is a prerequisite for pregnancy. Hysteroscopic tubal patency test is the test conducted to find out whether the fallopian tubes are obstructed or not and to find out whether the uterine cavity is without any deformity.
The first part of this process is gynecological examination of the patient and an ultra sonic scanning of the vagina. In this procedure a catheter is introduced into the uterine cavity through cervix. Now starch solution with millions of bubbles is pumped through this catheter to the cervix cavity. Tracking the liquid bubbles in the cervix will enable the physician to find out whether the fallopian tubes are blocked or not. If the fallopian tubes are without any block the liquid bubbles will travel through the tubes to the ovaries and spill out. If they are blocked the liquid will not move further. If the liquid is remaining stationery, discomfort will be felt. The need to increase pressure to pump the liquid is also a sign of block. The movement of liquid can be tracked by ultra sound scanning. Feeling of any discomfort or necessity to increase pressure and non- spilling of liquid through ovaries are signs of block or other contaminations in the path. The injection of liquid may cause shoulder pain and stomach pain. This is not very serious and may stop after some time.
Dr.Kalpana in a panel on PCOS infertility Indian fertility society conference