Hycosy - reassurance needed

[Seo2022]

Hi All,

I know there have been multiple threads on this before, I’ve spent most of the Christmas period reading through them trying to put my mind at rest. I feel I need a little more reassurance on this because right now I’m climbing the walls and completely stressed out.

Im due to undergo a Hycosy procedure in February. Never heard of it before and of course I google it and lots of horror stories emerge about the procedure. I know lots of women have had positive experiences but I’ve only focused on the negative ones. I’m not someone who is good when it comes to medical procedures, I need numbing cream for needles (but generally okay with having them) and have endured smear tests but I’m not at all good with hospital procedures in general (shaking, crying,etc). My fear is that I’ll just back out of having it at the last minute. I’m okay with period pain type cramps, I used to get severe cramping during my period in my teens/early twenties (sweating, nausea, extreme pain) but not good with anything intrusive or sharp. I think the idea of the catheter going in is really bothering me. I saw one post that mentioned a pinch on insertion the thought of which I can’t handle.

I’m a big girl, I know I should get over this and get on with it but I can’t help how I feel. I really want to go through with it but I’m struggling with the thought of it right now. I think what would help if I heard other people’s experiences, specifically what pain they felt, nature of it, etc. Also lots of recommendations to take paracetamol/ibuprofen beforehand, did this actually help?

Hi :)
I had a HyCosy in November and it was no big deal for me. The most uncomfortable thing was me having to resist coughing due to a cold I had and being afraid everything would shoot out down there lol

In all seriousness, I didn’t really feel the catheter going in … it was like having a pap smear. It was fascinating when the contrast went it I immediately started feeling the pressure build up in the uterus and I got slight cramps. I had a BIT of bleeding afterwards.

My uterus was fine + tubes were not blocked.

I took painkillers about 30-40mins before the procedure + my husband drove me just in case I had horrible pain, but it was all good …

Good luck!!

Hey! I had mine in December and I’ll be honest, it was a bit more intense than I’d anticipated. I have been getting fertility treatment and regular internal scans to monitor ovulation and I just thought it would be something similar and didn’t read read enough beforehand. I found the whole thing absolutely fine (the speculum, the catheter) until the dye went in, that was the worst Bit for me. If I’d known I would have taken some painkillers beforehand so definitely do as previous poster said and take some just in case. Everyone is so different and some women find it absolutely fine and I’m sure you will. It’s over very quickly, the staff will be amazing with you and if you take some painkillers honestly I think you’ll be fine- good luck ❤️

Hi!
I had a Hycosy a few months ago and honestly it wasn't too bad. It's so quick, literally a couple of minutes for the whole thing.
I did find it painful - but definitely cramps, no sharpness. I used to have terrible period pains and it was just like that.
They open your cervix slightly to put the catheter in and that feeling for me was like period cramps, I didn't actually feel the tubes going in.
I felt them inflate the little balloon thing - again, like period cramps. Then the doctor reduced the balloon thing a little and the rest was more like mild period cramps...
It's very similar to having a coil put in, if you've ever had that?

Thanks for the replies, I feel slightly better about it now I think. I won’t be skipping in but at least I have some idea of what to expect. I just have this fear of something sharp being inserted that I won’t be able to handle. I haven’t had a coil fitted but my friend did mention some months ago that it was the most painful thing she has ever experienced and she is a tough lady. I have a smear test scheduled for two weeks beforehand which might be no bad thing, might get me into the right frame of mind for the Hycosy!

Anyway thanks again for your replies.

I barely felt it to be honest - it was totally fine and I'm a fainter. I expected it to be much worse. There were lots of nurses in there and one talked at me the whole time which I think is standard distraction procedure. I fell pregnant the following month. Best of luck x

Hi , don't stress yourself out. It's honestly not as bad as you've probably read.
Yes , in my experience it does indeed hurt but it's relatively shorted lived.
I had it done in Nov , you'll first be asked to change into a gown and then a nurse will take you to a table to lie down. They'll insert a spectrum ( what's used in a smear to open the vagina) then they will insert the tubes, its a little painful similar to period pains . Afterwards they will insert the dye into the tubes. This is the most painful part In my experience. It's how I can only describe as period pains accompanied by intense pressure from within. I thought my insides were going to explode lol very dramatic I know. It was horrible but one thing I will say is that it literally only lasts a minute. After that they will probably show you on the monitor or give you a verbal result. After I got up of table I felt a little tender for about 15 mins or so. They give you a pad as you will likely experience some bleeding. The whole procedure takes about 5 mins. It's really quick, your in and out and I had absolutely no recovery time. The bleeding lasted a few hours but I had no pain or anything. I went for a days shopping afterwards. Its truly over quicker than you'd expect. I couldn't believe that was it. Take some painkillers. Not sure how but since the test I've had 2 regular periods in a row ( i have pcos and have 1 to 2 a year! ) and I ovulated for the first time in my life last month following my procedure. Sadly still not pregnant tho :(

Hi all

Just thought I would follow with an update on my post from December. Had my Hycosy this afternoon, I survived! Honestly from start to finish I felt absolutely nothing and they had to insert the speculum and catheter twice because the catheter fell out the first time. They warned me that the injection of the saline solution was the most painful bit but again nothing, maybe a faint twinge but barely perceptible. And then it was over, couldn’t believe it! They told me I had a retroverted uterus also so was expecting far more pain and discomfort.

I did take two ibuprofen and some Xanax beforehand which I really think helped me a lot. I was more relaxed going in and during the procedure which I think makes everything easier. I’m obviously one of the lucky ones but just wanted to provide an update to thank everyone who was kind enough to provide positive words in advance and also for anyone who is due to have this procedure, it really isn’t at all as bad as some of the stories you may have read.

Hi ladies, I’ve just had my HyCosy scan following 2.5 years of TTC and one miscarriage. Can anyone share any success stories following the procedure? If you were successful was it from your left of right ovary? TIA 🙏🏽

@TTCRainbowBubs I posted above BUT yes! My daughter turns one this month. We are trying again and if no luck in the next 6 months, I'll have another one as I really do put it down to that. I didn't have any issues with my tubes. When I went for an early scan, they told me baby was the left ovary. Good luck - I know it's mega cliche but I had stopped tracking, had booked my dates for IVF baseline scan etc and that is when I fell pregnant... we had a busy eeek celebrating the jubilee and I had been to a few HIT classes. I would have loved to see my temp chart considering I tracked for ages. Believe it WILL happen, even more so if you've no other problems and are 'unexplained'.

@FlyOnTheWall89 thanks so much for your response! This gives me hope! 🙏🏽

Mine was ok, comparable to a smear
didn’t enjoy it at all but the staff were terribly nice and it was quick.
they showed me the result straight away, nothing wrong

there is anecdotal evidence or the procedure “flushing” your tubes and thus make it easier to conceive. I don’t think this happened to me but was I was pregnant a few months later.