HSG test

[Anonymous]

Yes, my HSG was by far the most painful thing and we had every kind of fertility treatment-- for me progesterone shots didn't hurt at all, while other women think they are awful. Do I think they are over-exaggerating? No, because every body is different. I also never mentioned emotional pain-- the physical pain sucked but I certainly wasn't depressed about it or even really bothered by it. I am still pregnant, so I can't relate it to birth (nor did I compare it to birth in my original comment). It was for me a big deal and I have had surgery several times in my life, so I am not a whining drama queen. It HURT! Any doctor will tell you the pain level varies greatly for women-- some people have no blockages and for them it is nothing, for others it does hurt.

I see no reason to make other women feel guilty because they have pain, just because you didn't. Just because it was easy for you, doesn't mean it will be for everyone. I don't think it is fair to tell someone who hasn't had the test it will be "no big deal" because for some people it is. I think it is only right to make sure someone knows that everyone's reaction is different. Being prepared for all outcomes is never a bad thing in my experience.

I genuinely hope that the original poster has an easy experience and wish her all the best.

[Anonymous]

Your last line of your most recent post should have been the only thing that you should have written to the OP. Its by far the most helpful to her. Poor girl, I wish her the best...your post discussing the horrors of your HSG test certainly didn't help to calm her nerves...calm is what she needs to be in order to help make the test an easier experience. Only the calm win and you are correct in saying that everyone's experience and pain level is different so its best to just stay positive for people who are looking for advice and be supportive, not dramatic. Telling a person your horrors isn't going to help her get through the test any easier. In fact, it may only worry her more. She may be 100% fine after the test and wonder what all the hoopla was about, which I hope is the case. You'll be fine OP!

[Anonymous]

new poster here--

I had an hsg and drove myself to work immediately following the test. Having a speculum inserted (which is done for the hsg) is never my favorite thing but this is as bad as it got for me. I actually didn't realize the physician had done the test. I was waiting for him to begin and he was done! I was in and out of the exam room in 10 minutes max. I did take ibuprofen beforehand but I can't imagine it made that much of a difference.
I've also been through 2 IVF retrievals and didn't have any pain with those either.

Now childbirth, that was another story entirely. Ouch.

[Anonymous]

I just had my HSG today. A test that was supposed to take 10 minutes took over 45 minutes. They couldn't find my cervix, so imagine about 30 minutes of the speculum, in, out, left, right, freezing cold, no KY. It was by far the WORST medical procedure I have ever had.

HOWEVER, I recognize that I was completely unusual. The easiest part was the part that hurt the worst for me BECAUSE they couldn't find my cervix. It SHOULD have only been like a pap smear - which aren't usually that bad. The dye injection was not bad. The pain was about as bad as an IUI, but the pain didn't last as long.

[Anonymous]

I had mine at Virginia Hospital center and I can't say enough good things about the radiologist and nurse. I hardly felt anything at all. The procedure was over before I even knew it. Personally, I thought it was a lot easier than my annual PAP test. OP, breathe deeply and load up on motrin before the procedure. You'll be just fine!

[Anonymous]

What I was said was that if you think the HSG test is the most painful part of your "fertility journey" then you should stop your journey there because the road that you continue on to have a baby only gets worse.

This is just completely obnoxious. We're all here for the same reason. Who are you to tell someone else she should "stop her journey" because she found a procedure to be painful.

Anyway, back to the original question. I have also given birth 3 times and I have a pretty good threshold for pain, but I found the HSG to be REALLY uncomfortable. I was ok afterwards, but it was a really miserable 15 minutes, even though I had taken advil before.

My doctor said that for some people, the uterus contracts against the dye being forced in, and for other people, it doesn't. I definitely was having uterine contractions during my HSG - I was breathing through them just like during labor. So if you had no pain, be glad, but realize that your body reacted differently to the procedure than someone else's body. It's not a question of who's a wimp and who's not, or who can handle childbirth and who can't.

I also don't think anyone was trying to scare the OP. She asked about our experiences with HSGs - some of us had good experiences and others not so good.

[Anonymous]

I was fine. Could've gone back to work, but had already taken the day off. Dh and I went for ice cream afterwards. The whole thing was pretty quick for me. Hoefully you'll be just fine.

[Anonymous]

I recommend 4 advil beforehand. But, don't accidentally take 4 advil pm like I did. I went back to work, but I don't really remember the rest of the day. Almost missed my metro stop because I feel asleep on the way home. Only late that night did I think to look at the bottle of advil I bought that morning before the test. My lesson of the day was to check bottles closely before purchase and consumption! The HSG hurt a bit for me at the time, but it wasn't bad. And I experienced no pain afterwards at all.