A saline sonogram is used to look at the shape of your uterus and your uterine lining. A sterile fluid, or saline, is put into your uterus which will show the doctors an outline of its shape. This test allows your doctor to look for anything in your uterus that might be blocking an egg from living there, such as a fibroid, polyp, or cyst.

What the Test Involves

A small tool and a catheter are placed inside the vagina and into the uterine cavity. A sterile saline is slowly inserted into your uterine cavity through the catheter, and it fills the uterus. This allows the ultrasound technician to see the shape of your uterus during the ultrasound.

This test is often done at the same time as the pelvic ultrasound and the AFC test. The pelvic ultrasound is also looking at a number of aspects of your uterus, and a saline sonogram is a small addition to this ultrasound. Likewise, the AFC test uses the ultrasound procedure to look at the follicle count in your uterus.

Tips & Hints

A saline sonogram is usually done after your menstrual period, so schedule accordingly, if you’d also like to have your pelvic ultrasound and AFC at the same time.

Some women have minor cramping and spotting after the procedure. Your doctor may recommend you take pain reliever beforehand to alleviate discomfort during the exam. If no prescription or over-the-counter medicine is suggested to you and you’re concerned about discomfort, ask about it at least a day before so you have time to pick up the medicine and take it as prescribed before the test.