HSG testing...how bad does it hurt?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have to write this for all of you ladies who will need to have this test done and who are terrified, just like I was, from all the horrible experience we read about on various websites. Let me tell you that after reading about people fainting and screaming in pain, I couldn't fall asleep at all the nigh before my test. All I could do was think about how bad it was going to be for me, since I have a very low pain tolerance. I even brought my husband along, thinking that I would need someone to pick me up and drag me home after I faint!
I did take 4 Advil an hour before the procedure because I was told that was the maximum I could take. I really wanted to take at least 8 in anticipation of all that pain, but decided against it the last minute. My experience was- Absolutely NO PAIN and it was over in 30secs.!!! For me it was even less uncomfortable that a pap smear. I really didn't feel much of anything and I was really anticipating a lot of pain all along. Please do not worry and do not freak out like I did. My doctor told me that it is actually highly unlikely that you will be in pain during this procedure. But just like restaurant reviews, people rarely write about good experiences; it is almost always those with bad experiences that feel compelled to write about them. This is why I wanted to let you all know, that this test is really not a big deal at all. So, stay cool, bring a pad (I only have a minor leakage of dye and a few drops of blood) and good luck to you all!
BTW, turns out my tubes were not blocked.

You probably didn't feel the pain because your tubes were not blocked. If there is even a slight blockage, it hurts a lot. I had read good as well as bad experiences about HSG. I was initially very terrified but as the day came closer I started relaxing thinking it's a waste anticipating so much. I had taken Valium before the procedure. The test turned out to be the worst thing I had ever experienced. It hurt bad, I screamed, the nurse in training got terrified there and it was a big drama. The only calm person in the room was my doctor.
My intention is to not scare anyone but be prepared for the worst and then you may not find that as a big deal. Take Advil like this PP took.

[Anonymous]

My tubes are tied and I had this done at SG for my pre IVF routine testing. They already knew my tubes were tied but they said they do this routinely to look at fibroids and other blockages inside the uterus. This exam did not hurt me at all. It was a little bit more uncomfortable than a Pap smear but no pain at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Today is our wedding anniversary. And I'm going in for my HSG. DH has his SA test tomorrow. Not how we thought we'd be marking this milestone.

Thought I'd come back and say my HSG really wasn't so bad yesterday - for any future readers of this thread. One side didn't hurt at all. the other side did hurt a bit, but it was over quickly. Hopped on a bicycle afterwards and went straight back to work. No tears!

Me again. Not only was the HSG not nearly as bad as I feared, we did get pregnant on the 2nd cycle afterwards. The one tube that hurt a bit during the HSG and had a little blockage ended up being the tube that carried the successful egg for pregnancy (the doc could tell based on where the corpus luteum was located). So for starters, the HSG was not nearly as painful as i feared and also, it was well worth it.

Good luck, all!

[Anonymous]

My tube was wide open and the dye test hurt like hell. Only lasted 15 seconds or so, though, and I felt fine afterward.

[Anonymous]

I was freaking out before my appt today and almost didn't go through with it. Took two vicodin. It honestly wasn't that bad but I didn't have any blockage. I now feel silly for being so upset about it.

[Anonymous]

The anticipation was much worse than the procedure. I had mine done at Virginia Hospital with Dr. Gordon. It hurt a lot (I screamed) for about two seconds. But then it was over. Childbirth was much, much more painful.