June 8, 2026
Adnexal Mass: What It Means, Types, and What Happens Next
An adnexal mass isn't a diagnosis: It's a descriptor for any growth near the ovaries or fallopian tubes. Learn what types exist, how doctors evaluate them.
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Know what happens and how to prepare. Go in calm.
Private by design, and general guidance to help you make the most of your visit. Not a substitute for medical advice.
A hysterosalpingogram, or HSG, is an X-ray that checks whether your fallopian tubes are open and looks at the shape of your uterus. It is usually done in the first half of your cycle. Knowing what to expect makes it easier. Here is what to prepare, what to ask, and how to follow up.
The test is scheduled after your period but before ovulation, so confirm the timing against your cycle. Ask whether to take a pain reliever beforehand, since mild cramping is common, and whether you need someone to drive you.
Note any allergies, especially to contrast dye or iodine, and any history of pelvic infection. List your current medications, and tell your provider if there is any chance you are pregnant.
A thin tube passes a small amount of dye into the uterus while X-ray images are taken, and it is usually brief, with cramping during and just after being common. You can ask the team to explain what they see as they go.
Take notes as the doctor talks, record the meeting (with their permission!) in myStoria, or add a quick voice note to myStoria as soon as possible afterward so that you are not relying on memory alone.
Before you leave the clinic, ask for copies of anything from the visit, like lab results, assessments, or referrals, and upload them to myStoria to keep your history complete. (If you aren't able to get copies, connect with Concierge and we can help you source them!)
Light spotting and mild cramping for a day or so is common, so plan an easy rest of the day. Note what the test showed and any change to your plan.
If you have a fever, heavy bleeding, severe pain, or a foul-smelling discharge afterward, contact your provider promptly, as these can signal infection. Otherwise, book a follow-up to talk through the results.
myStoria keeps your results, cycle timing, and questions in one private place, so your appointment starts from a clear picture and nothing gets forgotten. Everything stays with you between visits, so each step builds on the last. When you want to talk something through, you can schedule a video consult in advance with a member of our team, several of whom are nurses.
This page offers general information to help you prepare for and follow up on your hysterosalpingogram. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a fever, heavy bleeding, severe pain, or foul-smelling discharge afterward, seek care promptly. myStoria video consults are scheduled in advance.
