HSG - How uncomfortable is it?

[Anonymous]

I'm having this test done as part of my initial work-up with RE. How uncomfortable is it and has anyone experienced complications? Is this test really necessary if you have given birth less than two years earlier? TIA.

[Anonymous]

I had one and it was not nearly as bad as I expected. I did mine at Washington Radiology on K Street and they recommend that you take some Advil (I can't remember the exact dosage) a couple of hours before the procedure. It was certainly uncomfortable and more embarassing than anything else, but not painful. They don't have a table and stirrups, so you're lying flat but you have to have your knees up and your feet on the table. I had a little bit of cramping off and on for the rest of the day but went back to work right after the procedure and I was fine. Thankfully I brought a thin pad with me, as you probably will have some leaking afterwards and they give you a big, thick pad. Good luck!!

[Anonymous]

Here is a link to an earlier thread on the same topic: http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/48038.page#331868

[Anonymous]

Most women don't have any problems except for slight cramping. Unfortunately, I was one of the unlucky ones. I tried my first HSG at Washington Radiology. They couldn't get the catheter through my cervix, and gave up after 15 minutes of trying for fear that they were going to tear something. After that, my RE decided to do it personally, and scheduled me to come into GWU Hospital (she was at GWU). Although a top-rated doctor by Washingtonian, she was unable to do it either. Needless to say, both experiences were painful and upsetting.

I switched REs, and went to SG in Rockville. Dr. Stillman there was able to do it. It wasn't easy, but he managed to do it. Cramping during the procedure, but not much pain afterwards.

[Anonymous]

dr. abbasi did mine at vhc and it HURT!!! of course she told me that it was a very simple, easy, quick, no pain procedure, so i was very surprised. she couldn't get the thing clamped on my cervix to hold it open or something and it hurt so bad my legs were shaking.
maybe she is just bad at doing HSG's, but it was terrible during the procedure. i didn't however have any problems after it.

[Anonymous]

Mine really hurt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had one and it was not nearly as bad as I expected. I did mine at Washington Radiology on K Street and they recommend that you take some Advil (I can't remember the exact dosage) a couple of hours before the procedure. It was certainly uncomfortable and more embarassing than anything else, but not painful. They don't have a table and stirrups, so you're lying flat but you have to have your knees up and your feet on the table. I had a little bit of cramping off and on for the rest of the day but went back to work right after the procedure and I was fine. Thankfully I brought a thin pad with me, as you probably will have some leaking afterwards and they give you a big, thick pad. Good luck!!

This was my experience as well at WRA in Bethesda.

[Anonymous]

I had mine done at SG in Rockville. I only had it done b/c SG insists on it.

My dr. said women who've had children have an easier time with it, and that it's easier if the tubes are clear since they don't have to force the dye through a blockage. So I was expecting it to be no big deal (since I've given birth 3 times & felt confident my tubes were clear, which they were), but man, it HURT! It only took a few minutes, though. So you'll get through it. Afterwards I was 100% fine, no cramping, no discharge, etc. I took the Advil before as recommended but I wished I had taken something stronger.

[Anonymous]

Take 800mg of Advil one hour before the procedure. I have had an HSG 3x. The two with a blocked left tube were painless and the one with the left tube open was painful. Here's hoping that yours is painless...

[Anonymous]

I didn't have any pain at all and believe me, I'm a big chicken when it comes to medical procedures. I think if you don't have any blockages, you are less likely to experience significant pain....

[Anonymous]

I was totally freaked too, before mine. But it turned out totally fine. The procedure itself was a bit of a pinch. And then some cramping. And a little bit of cramping afterwards. The cramps I got were totally nothing compared to my period. It was a breeze. All I took was two advil, before.

[Anonymous]

Going to the dentist was a worse experience than my HSG. It is not a big deal at all, don't let anyone scare you. Just lie back, close your eyes and try and relax. Relaxing your body as much as possible will make the procedure seem easier. Expect maybe a little cramping (I didn't) but if you have to think the worst, then expect cramping and take some Tylenol right before the procedure. Its an important test and you will be fine. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

It is uncomfortable but not too painful if you take ibuprofen about 1-2 hours prior to getting it done..otherwise you will have serious cramping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Going to the dentist was a worse experience than my HSG. It is not a big deal at all, don't let anyone scare you. Just lie back, close your eyes and try and relax. Relaxing your body as much as possible will make the procedure seem easier. Expect maybe a little cramping (I didn't) but if you have to think the worst, then expect cramping and take some Tylenol right before the procedure. Its an important test and you will be fine. Good luck!

Um... I was one of the PP who had a terrible, painful experience. I was under the impression that OP wanted people to share their experiences. I wasn't trying to "scare her". I'm glad that your HSG went well for you, but please keep in mind that not all women will have your blissful experience. I, for one, would take a root canal over an HSG any day of the week.

[Anonymous]

Mine was excruciating. I would never agree to one again without pain medicine and sedative. They found a septate uterus and blocked tubes though so this would surely account for my experience.