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How you prepare
By Mayo Clinic staff
Different types of X-rays require different preparations. Ask your doctor or nurse to provide you with specific instructions.
In general, you undress whatever part of your body needs examination. You may wear a gown to cover yourself during the exam, depending on which area is being X-rayed. You may also be asked to remove jewelry, eyeglasses and any metal objects or clothing that may obscure the X-ray image, because these objects can show up on an X-ray.
You may be asked to wear a lead apron to shield your sex organs from exposure to the X-rays. At very high doses, radiation can damage a woman's eggs or a man's sperm. Because you're exposed to a small amount of radiation during most X-rays, the lead apron is used as a precaution.
At high doses, radiation can be harmful to a fetus. Always inform the X-ray technologist if there's any possibility that you might be pregnant. Your doctor may suggest that you either forgo the X-ray exam or, if one is necessary at the time, take precautions to minimize radiation exposure to the fetus.
Before some types of X-rays you're given a liquid called contrast medium. Contrast mediums, such as barium and iodine, help outline a specific area of your body on X-ray film. You may swallow the contrast medium, or receive it as an injection or an enema. The contrast medium appears opaque on X-ray film, providing clear images of structures such as your digestive tract or blood vessels.
If you're to receive a contrast medium before an X-ray, tell your doctor if you have a history of allergy to X-ray dye, such as iodine.
