Has anyone had a HSG (hysterosalpingogram) ? Please tell me what it's like, I'm a bit scared

[MissFit]

I've got one next week and I have so many questions. Stuff like this doesn't usually bother me but I'm scared I'll get some bad news :(

So what happens?
What's it like?
Is it painful?
Is it embarrassing?
Can your DH be there when it happens?
Most importantly do you find out the results straight away?
Can you go straight back to work afterwards?

I would be sooooooo grateful if someone could answer any of them for me :)

I'm sorry you're having to go through this, but try not to worry, it's a fairly straightforward procedure. I had one done five years and, yes, I was told the results straight away. The results for us were devastating (total bi-lateral blockage) but knowing what we were facing did give us so many answers.

Dh stayed with me the whole time and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

I think I took the rest of the day off, but mainly because of the emotional rather than physcial effects.

Good luck, most people will get the all clear and either way knowing is better than not knowing.

description of procedure

I had one in 2008 and it was fine, like a long smear really.

The consultant was really nice and there was a nurse to chat to, but dh wasn't allowed in (tbh I didn't ask)

The consultant used a speculum and seemed to put a few bits of equipment in there (painless) then injected the dye and we all watched the result on the screen. He chatted me through what he was looking at and then it was over.

I had taken some light painkillers beforehand as I had read it was painful, but I was fine. I didn't go back to work but I could have.

It wasn't embarrassing at all. The staff were fantastic. Don't worry, you'll be fine.

Thanks for your replies :) Sorry to hear your results weren't good pickyourbattles. Did you get treatment for the blockages if you don't mind me asking? I agree with you it's better to know because then you can decide what to do next / move on. But part of me is scared of hearing bad news and would prefer to keep my head in the sand :(

It's good to know it won't hurt anyway. I think if I'm going to get the results straight away it would be best if I took DH and took the day off work (for emotional reasons like you say).

No, we looked into treatment but decided against it and went for IVF instead. After 3 cycles we had DS1 and then . . . . 6 mths conceived DS2 naturally !!

Don't ask! No one has been able to explain it .

They are gorgeous and have made up for all the years of heartache.

Hi Missy,

I had one just before Christmas and have sent you a PM.

I had one a couple of years ago (actually five, god how has that happened!) - it was uncomfortable rather than painful. No more embarrassing than a smear and from what I remember just like a long version of a smear. My DH didn't come - can't remember why but if I had my time again I'd take him because I felt quite faint afterwards (I often feel quite faint and have been known to pass out at blood tests). Also they do discuss the results there and then and I'm rubbish at taking things in at the time but I suspect most people are when they're lying on a table being prodded around! My results were disappointingly vague 'normalish, as far as we can see' was the gist of it and I think DH would have insisted that they clarify that a bit!
I hope it goes well for you

Sorry I've only just got back on the conception board today, I've been avoiding it all week
:(

Thank you for all your messages, they're really helpful. downonthefarm thanks for the PM it really helped and it's useful to know I may have to wait for my results, as I was all geared up to get them on the day.

My HSG is tomorrow and I'm awake worrying :(