A 'quickie' (ho ho) about sperm test procedure, if it's not too icky!!

[emeraldgirl1]

Sorry for TMI, but I have a question about the procedure for DH's 'sample'... I'm totally ignorant about all these matters at the mo, and don't know if the idea is for me to go along to the appointment to, ahem, help him out...? Or if he manfully gets 'there' on his own? Excuse me while I die of embarrassment, sorry for the stupid question!!

emerald,

No question on here is stupid.

He will manfully get "there" on his own. There is usually a room with porn magazines in it. He will be taken there and given a sample bottle. This will then be further analysed.

BTW such tests often have to be repeated as one "poor" result is not fully conclusive of there being a male factor problem.

Thanks Attila!!

I do feel for him, he's great of course and appreciates that I'm the one who has to have somewhat more invasive tests, but I do think it can't be easy to have to go into a private room somewhere and 'produce' to order!! Though maybe I'm underestimating him!!

I think the best attitude to take is just to be ho-hum and business-like about it all! It's certainly the attitude I'll be taking when I head off for my internal US and then the fallopian tube etc X-ray (can't remember the name). Sigh.

You will stand at the door egging him on.

emeraldgirl

When have they scheduled the HSG (tubal x-ray) for?.

Would suggest you take a couple of painkiilers beforehand (these should be given to you anyway by the clinic) and bring along with you too some sanitary protection (the dye they use leaks out!).

I dreaded the HSG but the fear was far worse than the reality. Have also had more internal ultrasounds than I care to mention.

Not scheduled in for the HSG yet, think it might now be after Xmas at this rate.

Is it quite painful? Is that why you suggest the painkillers? Or is it more an uncomfortable sensation? More or less painful than a smear test, for example?

I'm being given a prescription for an antibiotic to take on that morning in case of infection - is that pretty standard?

Internal US is tomorrow, slightly dreading that even though I'm sure it won't be too bad in the end.

Thank you!!

emeraldgirl,

The HSG should not be painful provided the dye is injected both carefully and slowly. Mine felt like more of an uncomfortable sensation than anything else. Think the whole thing took about 10 or so minutes.
It is a useful test to have done as it can give information not easily accessible by other methods like a lap for instance. Deformities INSIDE the tube can only be seen on x-ray.

Was not given any prescription for an antibiotic beforehand (but my HSG was done several years ago now), they seem to be covering themselves.

Please do not worry unduly about the internal ultrasound. The phallic like probe felt cold mainly due to all the jelly like clear stuff they lather on it!. Again it was not painful and it can give a good picture of the uterine cavity and ovaries.

Good luck for tomorrow!!