HSG

[36plusandtrying]

Hi all,

I'm booked for a HSG next week, has anyone had this. I've heard it's painful - so I'm nervous.

Tbh mine was very painful, but that may be something to do with the fact that I have a tilted uterus (or something... it was a while ago!). Make sure you have someone there to take you home afterwards and I’d suggest using a maternity pad rather than a normal sanitary towel.

It’s worth doing it though, I hope it’s all OK for you.

Thanks - good tip. Glad I've managed to book it to tie in with a day off work. Was dreading going back after it.

Hi mine was ok not painful, took paracetamol, there is nothing to worry about, even if it is a bit painful it was one of the most useful procedures I have had in regards to finding out abut the cause of my infertility which was one of my Fallopian tubes being blocked. After this procedure I was referred for IVF straightaway and now I am during my 2ww;-)good luck!

Mine wasn't like agony painful, more like a bad period cramp where you just want to hug a hot water bottle. Definitely take some paracetamol, and I brought one of those stick on heat patches and that helped too. I only had minor spotting afterwards and most of the fluid drained out before I got off the table. The nurses were absolutely lovely and kept me distracted. It was over fairly quickly and they showed me everything on the screen afterwards so there was no waiting for results. After that I was home for medicinal chocolate and duvet day!

Mine wasn't like agony painful, more like a bad period cramp where you just want to hug a hot water bottle. Definitely take some paracetamol, and I brought one of those stick on heat patches and that helped too. I only had minor spotting afterwards and most of the fluid drained out before I got off the table. The nurses were absolutely lovely and kept me distracted. It was over fairly quickly and they showed me everything on the screen afterwards so there was no waiting for results. After that I was home for medicinal chocolate and duvet day!

I had one about 8 years ago, it wasn't painful for me but I did take codeine before hand as I had heard it may prevent it hurting. If it is painful it could be due to a tiny blockage in a tube and some women find that just after they have some luck with conception just after due to the blockage clearing. I have an anteverted uterus ( tipped forward) and this didn't cause any problems for me. Want to wish you all the best, it is a difficult journey.

I had an HSG a couple of months ago and I would agree, it is uncomfortable (just feels like bad period cramps) but it's over so quickly and I just went straight back to work afterwards! I felt slightly crampy but I have an active job and it didn't stop me doing anything.
I have also heard that it can help conception as gives everything a good clear out, so fingers crossed!

Tbh mine was really bad, but like the previous posters, I think it was to do with a massively tilted uterus (it looked like a right angle on the screen). I was in there ages as the catheter kept coming out and having to be put back and then they only got dye in one tube after nearly an hour.
However having spoken to lots of others, everyone else has described it as a slightly more uncomfortable version of a smear test that was done in 10-15 minutes tops for the entire appointment.
I think my experience was extremely unusual and you will probably breeze through it like everyone else I know

Oh but to add as soon as it was over the pain stopped entirely. I just felt a bit bruised from the extra catheter insertions and emotional because it wasn't what I was expecting. I think I had a duvet day by fluke and it was probably for the best but I could've gone back to work if I really needed to.

Thanks all - been ttc for 14 months so want to explore all options as IVF will be private and husband has said previously that he doesn't want to go down that road.

Yes, quite painful but not unbearable. My only advice would be not to make plans afterwards. I looked like I'd wet myself about 20 minutes later and had agreed to meet H and a client. Super strength pads definitely required.

Mines wasn’t painful. I think the dye stung briefly but no pain. I found it pretty overwhelming emotionally for some reason. It came before treatment, a pregnancy and baby though so it all worked out on the end

Mine was pretty horrific, also have a tilted uterus.
I was worried at the time it meant there must be an issue but my tubes weren't blocked.
There wasn't really any pain once it was all over.

Oh god I'm nervous now .....

Two ibruprofen and two paracetamol an hour beforehand. Bring a pad just in case. Take a pregnancy test before you go just in case.

That's a great tip, practicing safe sex prior - but will do that regardless. Just desperate for some hope and to get it moving in the right direction. I'm 37 and worry time is well and truly not on my side 😞

My little sister is a mess student and got to assist with loads of HSG. She said that ladies with blocked tubes seemed to find it very painful but the ones with clear tubes tended to find it uncomfortable/a bit painful but not that much of a biggie.

Med not mess

@JoJoSM2 - my tubes were clear and it was the most painful thing I’ve experienced in my life. Even more painful than my smear tests which I find horrible.

Let's not terrify the poor OP.

Thing is, pain is totally subjective and some people tolerate different types of pain better. The nurse doing mine said that blocked tubes can be more painful, as can tilted uterus, as can those who never have period pain. I have the latter in bucket loads, and yes it felt like bad cramps but it wasn't an unfamiliar pain, I could breathe through it and it was over before long. It is assessing an important part of your fertility. Let's face it, no part of gynae is ever going to be fun for the patient but it will give you answers.

Try not to be too stressed about it OP as that won't help. And however sore or uncomfortable it is, it will end. Take painkillers in advance and don't commit to doing too much afterwards.

BTW at mine they did a pregnancy test for you when you arrive.

I had one and it was fine. I have a tilted uterus but didn’t find it painful. I thought it was really interesting to watch the screen as they did it. The nurses were so lovely.
I had to abstain from the period before and if I had had sex since then they wouldn’t have done it. It was one of the questions I had to answer.
Good luck and I hope it gives you some answers

I would describe mine as painful rather than uncomfortable, but in no way unbearable. Also the pain (if you have any) should be very short-lived. Afterwards I was quite crampy, but again nothing unbearable. The nurses for mine where great, the knew i was anxious, tense etc (which to be honest was the real cause of the pain) so one of them tried her best to keep me calm.

It isn't a pleasant experience but then is anything pleasant in this department?

Had the test yesterday, no blockages but total nightmare with the speculum- he just couldn't get a view of my cervix ! So after nearly and hour of prodding and poking we were nearly about to abort the mission. However dr and nurse were great, persisted and finally completed it ! Phew, been sore today but I guess trying to get my head around why we can't get pregnant ....

At least it is over now. Sounds like you are at the same stage of me. Unexplained infertility and the next step is IVF which we will be starting next year if I don’t get pregnant before then. Still trying to get my head round it all.

Owl good luck !! At least we know there isn't a major physical issue. We are just going to keep trying then tackle ivf in a few months - as we need to go private - good luck x