Tartaczna 2
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A HyFoSy fallopian tube patency test with ExEm Foam uses ultrasound to assess whether the fallopian tubes are open. It is one of the investigations used to assess difficulty conceiving. At Tartaczna 2 Medical Centre in Gdańsk, the examination is performed exclusively by Dr Marek Korożan.
Our medical centre is located at 2 Tartaczna Street in Śródmieście, central Gdańsk. Before booking, please contact our reception team to confirm the appropriate timing within your menstrual cycle and the preparation required.
HyFoSy, short for hysterosalpingo-foam sonography, assesses whether the fallopian tubes are open using ultrasound and a specially formulated contrast foam. The doctor introduces ExEm Foam into the uterine cavity through a thin catheter passed through the cervix, then observes its passage through the fallopian tubes.
The foam is prepared from the components of the ExEm kit according to the manufacturer's instructions. Its visibility on ultrasound allows the doctor to assess flow through each fallopian tube and observe the foam passing into the peritoneal cavity.
HyFoSy does not involve X-rays. It is performed under transvaginal ultrasound guidance as an outpatient procedure, usually without general anaesthesia.
Assessment of the fallopian tubes may be recommended during fertility investigations and when planning further treatment. Your doctor may advise testing even if another factor affecting conception has already been identified, as several causes of infertility can coexist.
Before the procedure, tell your doctor about any previous pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, abdominal surgery, or suspected or diagnosed endometriosis. This information helps determine whether HyFoSy is an appropriate investigation for you.
A standard transvaginal ultrasound scan cannot confirm whether the fallopian tubes are open. HyFoSy requires the additional administration of foam to assess flow through the tubes.
The examination is scheduled after menstrual bleeding has stopped but before ovulation. For the procedure using ExEm Foam, the manufacturer generally specifies cycle days 6–11. The first day of your period is day 1 of your cycle.
The timing needs to take account of your cycle length and regularity. Ovulation does not always occur on day 14. If your cycles are short or irregular, your doctor will advise on the appropriate appointment date.
HyFoSy must not be performed during pregnancy or if pregnancy is suspected. Avoid unprotected intercourse from the start of your period until the examination. For ExEm Foam, a negative pregnancy test within 24 hours before the procedure is recommended. A test may not detect a very early pregnancy, so you must tell your doctor if you have had unprotected intercourse.
If you take medicines to induce ovulation, discuss their use with your doctor for the cycle in which HyFoSy is planned. Do not change your treatment yourself.
Dr Marek Korożan explains the procedure, checks for contraindications and answers your questions. The examination takes place after you have given your consent.
The individual steps may vary depending on your anatomy and how you tolerate the examination.
Experiences vary. Some patients feel mild discomfort, while others experience stronger, period-like cramps, particularly when the foam is introduced.
Your doctor may recommend pain relief before the examination. The medicine and dose should be agreed with consideration of allergies, medical conditions and other medicines you take. Do not take several products containing the same active ingredient without medical advice.
If you experience severe pain, nausea or faintness during the test, tell the doctor immediately. The procedure can be stopped.
Assessment of the foam passing through the tubes usually takes several minutes, sometimes around 10–15 minutes. The full appointment takes longer because it includes preparation, an initial ultrasound scan and discussion of the results. Please confirm the time allocated for your appointment when booking.
Your results are discussed after the examination. The doctor assesses whether flow has been confirmed through both fallopian tubes or one tube, or whether the findings require further investigation.
A lack of visible flow does not always mean that a tube is permanently blocked. Temporary spasm, catheter position or limited visibility may affect the findings. If the result is inconclusive, a repeat assessment or a different diagnostic method may be needed.
Confirming that the tubes are open does not assess every aspect of their function or exclude other causes of infertility. The findings need to be considered alongside ovulation assessment, your other investigations and your partner's results.
Contraindications include pregnancy or suspected pregnancy, an active genital tract infection and an allergy to the ingredients of the preparation. The examination is not performed during menstrual bleeding.
A diagnosed hydrosalpinx, meaning a fluid-filled, swollen fallopian tube, may rule out the use of ExEm Foam and require a different investigation plan. Your doctor makes the final assessment of suitability, taking account of the ultrasound findings, medical history and product instructions.
Do not take antibiotics yourself “just in case”. Your doctor will decide whether preventive antibiotics are needed and prescribe the appropriate course. An active infection must be treated before the examination.
Temporary lower abdominal cramps, light spotting and some leakage of the contrast medium from the vagina may occur after HyFoSy. These symptoms should gradually settle. Use a sanitary pad rather than a tampon immediately after the procedure.
You can return to everyday activities when you feel well enough. Do not drive if you feel dizzy, faint or have significant pain. It can be helpful to arrange for someone to assist you if needed.
Seek prompt medical advice if you experience:
Infection after the examination is uncommon but requires prompt assessment. If symptoms are severe, attend a hospital emergency department. Rare complications also include an allergic reaction and injury associated with catheter insertion.
HyFoSy with ExEm Foam is primarily used to assess whether the fallopian tubes are open. Observational studies also suggest that the passage of the contrast medium through the tubes may have a beneficial effect on natural conception.
In a multicentre study published in 2023, 26.5% of the women followed up conceived spontaneously within 12 months of HyFoSy with ExEm Foam. This does not mean that the procedure increases pregnancy chances by that percentage: the study did not include a control group without HyFoSy, so it cannot establish how much of the outcome was attributable to the procedure itself.
HyFoSy does not guarantee that blocked tubes will become open or that pregnancy will occur. The findings help guide further care, taking account of the patient's age, how long the couple has been trying to conceive and other factors affecting fertility.
Following an uncomplicated examination, you can usually resume intercourse and try to conceive in the same cycle once you feel comfortable, unless your doctor advises otherwise.
Please contact reception at Tartaczna 2 Medical Centre to confirm the current price of HyFoSy with ExEm Foam and what the appointment includes. You can also ask whether any tests required before the procedure are charged separately.
At our medical centre, HyFoSy fallopian tube patency testing is performed exclusively by Dr Marek Korożan. When booking, please specify that you require a HyFoSy examination with ExEm Foam rather than a standard gynaecology consultation.
Call +48 58 719 10 25, visit our contact and booking page, or book with Dr Marek Korożan through ZnanyLekarz. Please select the Tartaczna 2 Medical Centre location in Gdańsk.
