What to expect after HSG

[Anonymous]

My HSG is scheduled for next week. What can I expect after the testing? The doctor commented that many women experience cramping. I'm planning on going to work immediately afterwards. Is this possible or will I be too uncomfortable? Thank you for your help!

[Anonymous]

I had minor cramping and light bleeding. Bring a pad and take a few advil.

My HSG wasn't routine (had to use different equipment) and in the course of the test, my shirt was stained. I'd bring a change of clothes if I were to do it again (just in case), especially if going back to work.

[Anonymous]

A little bit of discomfort, which can be mitigated if you take ibroprofen before the procedure. Bring a pad.

[Anonymous]

I got bad news during mine. It was clear there was a major blockage. I didn't go back to work because I just couldn't process it.
But the procedure itself wasn't painful at all.

[Anonymous]

I had intense cramping when the dr was pushing the dye through but it immediately subsided once it ended. I then leaked the fluid all the way home. So gross. My period was delayed by about a week.

[Anonymous]

I took a day off so I could process any bad news. Best decision ever.
The procedure was painful, like an awful cramp. Afterwards, not so much, but my results were not so good so
I had a hard time. Called my mom (who lives out of state) crying, went home really sad, so I'm glad I took the day off.

Hope all goes well for you! Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Took the day off the for my first one as I didn't know what to expect. Horrible cramping during the procedure. Definitely needed a pad afterword and more than just a liner. Bring a good pad the ones in the offices are often awful. Some minor discomfort later in the day, period like. My one tube was send to be blocked or spasming.

Second HSG two years later, very little pain. Done a Saturday, since didn't have to worry about work. I went out to lunch afterwards and did a bit of shopping. I did need a pad. Both tubes open so the earlier issue must have been a spasm or pregnancy opened my blocked tube somehow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: I got bad news during mine. It was clear there was a major blockage. I didn't go back to work because I just couldn't process it.
But the procedure itself wasn't painful at all.

I also got bad news. But, like an idiot I didn't take the day off work. Thankfully it was toward the end of the day, so I made up a headache and went home to bawl my eyes out.

I also did not find it all that painful (physically). The emotional pain of the results was searing.

[Anonymous]

Sorry to be a downer, but with my first one, I would not have been able to work afterwards. The pain was excruciating. I sobbed and shook from the misery of it - it like being operated on without anesthetic, not like a "little cramping." With the second one, I was a wreck due to nerves and didn't feel a thing. No blockages either time.

[Anonymous]

I've had 2 HSGs. First one hurt for about 5 seconds and the second one didn't hurt at all. I went back to work after the second one, but not the first. I only had minor cramping. Take 2 advil before.

[Anonymous]

Procedure didn't hurt AT ALL for me. I could have had a ice nap during. Nothing major after either. felt pretty much fine, a tad bit of leakage.

[Anonymous]

Cramping was barely noticeable, but the leakage afterwards would make me think twice about returning to work. You can do it, if you really have to though.

[Anonymous]

For both of mine, took double dose of acetaminophen an hour before. Was maybe 2/10 on the pain scale, but only while they were putting the tube through, after that, it felt a little funny but not painful (like a long pap). Went back to work after, bring your own pad, the one they gave me sucked both times. Agree with the others though, if I'd gotten bad news or it had been painful, would have called in sick/gone home for the rest of the day.

[Anonymous]

I posted previously about getting bad news, and wanted to add this: get the procedure done by an ob-GYN, not a radiologists. The radiologists are not as skilled at it, and that's often why it hurts.

[Anonymous]

My RE did the procedure (just to address the above) and I took the day off to be cautious. My DH and I ended up going to lunch and walking through Georgetown because there wasn't anything much to recover from.

Hope this is the case for you too.