HSG - How uncomfortable is it?

[Anonymous]

As OP can see it is different for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Because I heard about how it's different for everyone ranging from fine to excruciating, I was very worried about mine. As I'd had previous tubal surgery, we expected some blockage and apprently it's blockage that can cause a lot of pain in an HSG. I was more nervous going into the HSG than I was the IVF retrieval!

I'm SOOO not one to do something like this in general--but I took a narcotic painkiller left over from my husband's dental surgery an hour before the HSG. Horrible, I know.

I did have a blockage and I did really feel it during the HSG. Just didn't care because I was doped up.

[Anonymous]

I had one a couple of months ago at SG in Rockville. Like one of the PPs said SG insists on it, which is why I had it done. It was only a little intense for the last minute or so. It really wasn't bad overall. I'd given birth almost 2 years ago, so I didn't think I needed it either. I happened to get pg on that cycle before having any of the fertility treatments. I'd heard that you're more likely to get pg after having an HSG and for me it was true. I just lost the baby though, so we're starting up again. Maybe I'll go get another HSG. : )

[Anonymous]

It's true - the experience ranges from totally fine to excruciating for different people.
90% of the people whom I know who underwent this had no pain, only slight discomfort, including me. It is uncomfortable when the cervix is "grabbed" with the instrument. Did not feel the injection of dye AT ALL. This is the part where it hurts when the tubes are blocked.
I had no cramping. This may have to do with the speed of the injection, or is individual. It's recommended to take 800 mg of Ibuprofen beforehand.

[Anonymous]

I'm another one with a septate uterus and it was awful each time I had it done....several during the TTC process. Several friends had it down in the months following and not a single person had nearly the experiences that I did (and I have a high pain tolerance). If a a septate uterus isn't your issue, it sounds as though it will simply be a little uncomfortable. I did take mild meds before. I actually took a valium before the first one (when I was with another doc) but it didn't seem to calm me down at all!

As bad as it was, it lasts all of 3-5 minutes. While it was a pretty miserable 3-5 minutes for me, I go through it which is what I kept reminding myself every time I had to go back in for another one!!

[Anonymous]

I had it done because SG insisted even though I was doing IVF for embryo genetic testing purposes and had no known infertility issues. I read about it in advance online and got scared by posts saying it would be painful. But I felt like there was no choice but to suck it up and be brave. I think I took the advance Tylenol or whatever was suggested. It turned out that for me, the experience was not painful at all. It did feel weird, in the same way that a pelvic exam and pap smear might feel weird for a first-timer. I took a deep breath during the procedure and focused my thoughts elsewhere so as not to dwell on any physical sensations, and I think that distraction helped. It was over quickly. Afterward I did not feel much if any cramping. I guess I was glad to be mentally prepared that pain was a possibility, because it would have been a shock otherwise if I had had a different experience. But for me it turned out to be a brief, slightly weird, but basically no big deal experience.

[Anonymous]

Mine was a little painful, but my RE prescribed me one valium to take 30 minutes prior.. It definitely helped! I would talk to your doc about it.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for all of the responses and advice. I had the HSG and I didn't feel a thing. I also loaded up on motrin prior to the procedure which I think really helped. I may load up on motrin prior to my next pelvic exam.

[Anonymous]

Not bad at all! My husband stayed with me almost the entire time--except when they took the actual x-rays. And, I asked for a female doctor, which helped me. To be honest, it was over quickly, and I hardly felt a thing!!! A routine exam is more uncomfortable than the HSG!!

[Anonymous]

I just came back from my HSG; scared about the procedure experience I began to look online. My experience was more unconfortable than painful. The Radiologist was attentive and cautious so I din't experience pain or cramping during the dilation. However, he was unable to insert the catether and tried a different one. This one went through and allowed him to insert the balloon and the dye. The inflation of the balloon fel a little like cramping. The dye went inside the uterus but it didn't reach my tubes. This was the painful part. He couldn't complete the procedure and indicated he would speak to my doctor to discuss a game plan and any anatomic abnormalities. This was more unconfortable for me than the procedure itself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just came back from my HSG; scared about the procedure experience I began to look online. My experience was more unconfortable than painful. The Radiologist was attentive and cautious so I din't experience pain or cramping during the dilation. However, he was unable to insert the catether and tried a different one. This one went through and allowed him to insert the balloon and the dye. The inflation of the balloon fel a little like cramping. The dye went inside the uterus but it didn't reach my tubes. This was the painful part. He couldn't complete the procedure and indicated he would speak to my doctor to discuss a game plan and any anatomic abnormalities. This was more unconfortable for me than the procedure itself.

Thanks for sharing. I have an HSG scheduled for Thursday and just pulled up this thread a few days ago to see what to expect. Always helpful to hear about others' experiences.

I hope your test proves to be a helpful step for you in TTC. Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just came back from my HSG; scared about the procedure experience I began to look online. My experience was more unconfortable than painful. The Radiologist was attentive and cautious so I din't experience pain or cramping during the dilation. However, he was unable to insert the catether and tried a different one. This one went through and allowed him to insert the balloon and the dye. The inflation of the balloon fel a little like cramping. The dye went inside the uterus but it didn't reach my tubes. This was the painful part. He couldn't complete the procedure and indicated he would speak to my doctor to discuss a game plan and any anatomic abnormalities. This was more unconfortable for me than the procedure itself.

Thanks for sharing. I have an HSG scheduled for Thursday and just pulled up this thread a few days ago to see what to expect. Always helpful to hear about others' experiences.

I hope your test proves to be a helpful step for you in TTC. Good luck!!

Follow up -- did my HSG at Washington Radiology this morning and it was a non-event. Basically the same as a pap with a little extra -- I could feel the balloon inflate, but it wasn't painful, just "full". And I didn't feel a thing with the insertion of the tube or anything like that. The whole thing was over in a few minutes, and it was good to get results on the spot.

[Anonymous]

HSG scheduled in a few days---would you recommend that my husband come in with me? Not sure what is typical? Granted he never goes in the room when I have my yearly gyn exam but it seems like everyone in the waiting room at my RE's office has their husband with them so I thought I'd ask.

[Anonymous]

It was really a piece of cake for me- not a big deal at all- you will be fine w/out husband-

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:HSG scheduled in a few days---would you recommend that my husband come in with me? Not sure what is typical? Granted he never goes in the room when I have my yearly gyn exam but it seems like everyone in the waiting room at my RE's office has their husband with them so I thought I'd ask.

I wouldn't bring him. My HSG was over before I realized it had even started -- didn't feel a thing! Good luck!