HSG - is it really that bad?

[HalfPenny28]

Looking for some experience with the HSG test? Google has given me some absolute horror stories so freaking out a bit!

Has anyone had one that wasn't traumatic?

I've had it done twice and really no more painful or uncomfortable than having a smear done. But both times my tubes weren't blocked I've heard it's more painful if you have a blockage

Just be aware it can give false hope - the rest can only tell you if the tubes are blocked or not - it can't tell you if they actually work. Ok my case both times tubes were clear but obviously didn't work as I ultimately lost them to ectopic pregnancies

I have to be honest and say that I found it quite painful - worse than a smear but not traumatic at all. The staff were lovely and did their best to put me at ease. To be honest, it's over quite quickly so if I had to have another one, I would. Both my tubes appeared clear and I did have my first and only natural conception the following month which is quite common I hear. Sadly ended in miscarriage for me and I had to go on to have IVF.

Best of luck and try not to worry too much, take your chosen painkillers at least an hour beforehand and try to relax, it really doesnt take long.

It was painful for me but I apparently either have two blocked tubes, or the test itself caused spasming.

Inconclusive for me so haven't bothered having at again, went straight into IUI (failed) and then to IVF

For me, the speculum is the painful part (I hate smear tests for this reason) - if you find those bearable then a HSG should be fine. I barely felt the catheter going in or dye going through (admittedly my tubes were apparently clear - like you, I've heard it can be uncomfortable if they are not). If you're really worried you could take painkillers and/or diazepam beforehand? I was told it's okay to do so.

Thank you all 💕 I think if I prepare for some pain/uncomfortableness it can only be better than expected!

Don't love my smear tests but they're definitely bearable.

The things we do hey!

I do think it’s worse than smear tests, similar to coil, although nowhere near as traumatic when that got lost in me!

I wish I’d taken afternoon off as I’d gone in expecting it to be like a smear and it wasn’t! I think the shock of it was more difficult than anything else!

I found it quite painful tbh when the dye was going in, like really intense cramping then as I thought "oh this is really starting to hurt" it was over. It's definately bearable! My tubes were clear

Hiya mine was not painful all but I think everyone’s experience is different take a few painkillers before it and that might help I had no blockages so that may be why I did not feel any pain xx

I've had two OP, I'm not great with pain at all but they were honestly fine! Quite painful period like cramps for about half and hour after, but definitely bareable just take some pain killers before hand. You'll be fine! Good luck x

Gosh I worked myself up in to such a frenzy about it - like to the point I almost talked myself out of going, after having read about it and watching YouTube videos. I'll be honest, it wasn't pleasant. I was getting quite anxious about the catheter part of it but I'd say that was the part I didn't even realise had happened. I do usually find smears a bit painful so the clamp was a bit - ooooh - and then the dye injection feels like bad period cramps. But it really is over in a matter of minutes and the nurses were so supportive. Its worth it to find out if theres anything wrong with your fallopian tubes and i tried to tell myself that, if I do go on to get pregnant, its a warm up for birth 🙃 😅 I bought the strongest ibuprofen I could from the pharmacy before x

Hi, I’ve seen a lot about HSG tests. Are they compulsory when going through the NHS for fertility issues? Are they expensive to get done privately does anyone know?

Hi @Hopefulgal85 🙂 for me it was complusory before we could consider clomid or ivf.

Our doctor basically said there's no point doing clomid if my tubes are blocked which is true.

I imagine most (UK) would ask you to have it done or the other version where they put you to sleep.

I don't know personally as we're fortunate to live in an area that is nhs funded but from what I've seen I think it around £350-£450 to have it done privately.

I had an HSG done in 2018. It was no more uncomfortable than a smear. I do yoga regularly and basically just lay there doing lovely calming yoga breathing. Very slight cramping afterwards, I had taken the day off work and just went for cake afterwards (as a reward!).

My tubes were clear, no damage or blockage.

We DTD twice in the following week and I got pregnant with our DS who is now 2 ❤️

We are incredibly lucky that we have DS. We are TTC #2 and I’m on the list for an HSG again after a year of TTC (I’m 37).

So I recommend not reading horror stories, learning some yoga breathing, and keeping positive that the HSG is one step further towards your goal (more information, if there’s an issue you can hopefully get it treated, etc).

P.S. I went private as couldn’t get an appointment at my local hospital after 4 months (they used to only offer it on Mondays, so cd7-11 had to be a Monday, it never was, whereas at the private clinic they could offer alternative days). It cost £450 at Nuffield.

Definitely agree that no horror stories are happening for most women.
My HSG went smoothly, it was unpleasant but not painful...and it lasted under 10min...definitely nowhere near as bad as my period cramps. The worst part for me were the side effects of the two types of antibiotics plus the painkillers i was advised to take. Had headaches, diarrhoea and couldn't sleep that night. But it was worth it, wouldn't want to risk an infection down there!
My tubes were all ok. Hoping to DTD this week to make sure we get the 'clear and wider' tubes benefit :) good luck!

My HSG was absolutely fine. I read all the horror stories & was worried about it. Took x2 painkillers 1 hour before & they did the job. Was uncomfortable & strange rather than painful. When dye was inserted my abdomen did feel full & felt slight cramps ( had worse period pain tbh). That evening & next day I had a few cramps but nothing to stop me going about my day. Hope it goes well.

Thank you all for your replies! About to go in for mine now - wish me luck! Xx

Good luck @HalfPenny28. Keep us posted!

@HalfPenny28 how did your HSG go? Hope it was ok

@Pregh hi lovely, didn't go well at all 🥺 couldn't even get the speculum in so they've booked my for a laparoscopy instead which I'm not wild about but the doctor was gone in a flash!

So no closer to finding out of there's any issues! But I'll just relax over Christmas now and wait for my appointment on January.

Aww sorry to hear that @HalfPenny28. Hopefully the laparoscopy will show you're fine! Exactly as you said, relax over Christmas and who knows what might happen ;)

I know this thread is from last year but I was looking for advice regarding the hsg. I have one booked in for thurs (cd7) I am currently at tail end of period. It's basically stopped but still a tiny bit of spotting/little when I wipe. They said can't go ahead if I'm still bleeding but will it be ok if it's this tiny amount? Hopefully will stop altogether before then...but seeking advice just incase it doesn't...

@dragonleo I think it should be okay by Thursday but I would just check with your clinic to make sure - Hope all goes well :) x

Thanks @2021babyhope ! They said they couldn't do it in the end. Needed to be 48 hours free from any sort of bleeding/spotting. Annoying but will do next week instead

Hi All,

Apologies I know this is a older thread but wanted to check in. I had HSG yesterday and feeling super uncomfortable today. I wondered if anyone else felt a bit rough following the procedure? X

@AmyLou28 I had mine last month and didn't have any pain the next day but have read that some people did. My next period was super heavy though...