HSG experiences please!

[twopinkies]

Hey!

Currently going through fertility treatments and I've been referred for an hsg , I've heard they can be really painful but also that they don't cause any pain! How long do the results take or do they tell you there and then?

Xx

I had one yesterday morning.

I went out of my way to avoid reading anything about it (although I had unavoidably picked up a clue or two in the past that it might not be good)!

I think it’s best to go knowing that lots of women say it’s no worse than a smear test.
But you also need to know that some women like me find it to be very painful indeed.

You can’t know what it will be like for you until you’re there and if you are one of the unfortunates where it is painful then paracetamol beforehand won’t do anything at all.

My top tips;

• Make sure someone drives you there and back.
• Expect to take the day off. (You might not need to!)
• Make sure you have eaten (you are more sensitive to pain when hungry) and take good painkillers an hour before.
• Pubic hair would have made the speculum less ouchy on the outside 🤣
• Don’t be embarrassed to show your pain level or cry if it’s bad for you.
• Make the nurse by your side hold your hands and squeeze the hell out of them if you need to.

Crucially. If it does hurt, the pain will almost completely subside once they finish so it is a short trial! Lol xx

Oh and you see the images on screens next to you straight away.

You should be able to see an inverted triangle filling up with dye, then a thin wiggly line coming off each top corner if the tubes are open and in a good position.
Don’t be afraid to ask

I think that’s good advice above. Go with an open mind. I’m someone who found it entirely painless, but recently had the coil fitted and was nearly sick it hurt so much and for others that is completely routine. I would plan for not wanting to drive and needing a rest afterwards just in case you are one of the unfortunate ones.

Yes go with an open mind.
I found it uncomfortable but bearable, it took a bit longer than expected (45 minutes, think it's usually quicker) as they kept trying again with one of my tubes and I was like a contortionist on the narrow little bed. They did stop at one point and said they weren't sure about one of the tubes but the consultant letter said both were patent. I did question that but one was definitely open and we were having IVF anyway.
They tilted the screen away from me so I couldnt see anything on the day.
For context I did it on my lunch break, got the bus there and back but mainly because the hospital carpark is a nightmare.
They gave me a pad for after, lots of clear liquid came out.
Good luck and hoping you'll be one of the lucky ones who gets pregnant after it!

I had 2, both confirmed blocked tubes and got results there and then (second was after 1 tube had been removed) pressure and slight cramping when the dye went in but over really quickly

Found it a tiny tiny bit uncomfortable, not bad at all and considering I got pregnant straight afterwards it was nothing compared to the pain of sweeps and examinations and labour 😂 good luck

I didn’t find it painful and it was actually really interesting to watch on the screen. They told me both my tubes were fine whilst I was there.

I found it absolutely fine. No pain, no bleeding. Had it done first thing and was at work by 9.

I got the results there and then, too.

Thanks everyone, really good advice! Appreciate it a lot xx