Pregnancy rates after hysterosalpingography with oil- and water-soluble contrast media

Hysterosalpingography can be accomplished with either oil or water-soluble contrast medium. This randomized prospective study compared pregnancy rates in women who had hysterosalpingography with either water- or oil-soluble contrast material and were followed for six months. Fifteen of 60 (25%) patients who received water-soluble dye conceived compared with 14 of 46 (30%) patients in the oil-soluble group, a statistically insignificant difference. Furthermore, no difference in pregnancy rates within each subgroup of fertility diagnosis was detected. Intravasation was more common in patients administered oil-based contrast materials (six of 46 versus one of 60 patients, P = .02), although no serious consequences occurred. No difference in the amount of pain as assessed by pain scoring was experienced by patients in each group. The authors conclude that pregnancy rates are similar after hysterosalpingography with oil- and water-soluble contrast material, during at least the first six months after the procedure.