HSG

abt8113

Since dearest AF came this morning, I have scheduledd my HSG for Monday.  I know so many of you said that you wanted to totally do that again (sarcasm), so what do I need to expect and prepare myself for?  My doctor told me to take 800mg of advil before it and said it was uncomfortable, so I'm sure it is going to hurt.  What kind of torture is coming my way???

sparklingdiamond

It did hurt for me, but it also didn't help that the thing he put in there fell out and then he had to redo it.  It freaked me out more than anything.  Just take the advil and that should help.  Once it was over I was fine!  Good luck!

ecinereb

The advil helps but it does hurt some. The good part is it's over quickly, mine was on the longer side but once it's over it's done.

Expect some cramping and leakage for the rest of the day, so take a pad with you.

nfp147

I had discomfort (cramping) for about 10 seconds during the procedure, but it really wasn't a big deal.

Good luck!

carcrashheart

i've had an HSG done and recently an SHG. they gave me pads both times so i didn't have to take my own. the HSG was far more painful/uncomfortable. it's mostly uncomfortable while they insert the catheter. 

thecuddleeffect

It certainly wasn't awesome, but it wasn't that bad either. The thing that hurt was when they injected the dye, it felt like an elephant sat on my stomach. The nurse talked me through it and instructed me to just take a few deep breaths, it was over in about 20 seconds. I hardly had any cramping after. But I agree with Drs and PPs, take some pain meds beforehand just to be covered. Good luck!!

mrshall1027

The good thing - it doesn't last long.  The crappy thing - the position you have to be in and it is slightly painful/uncomfortable.

It was a little more painful for me because she had to push a little hard to get the dye to go through on my right side, but that only lasted for a few seconds and she gave me a warning before.  Also, for about two days after, I had a lot of discomfort in my abdomen area.  I just felt super bloated with some cramping.

LooneyLife

For me, it was a little awkward but nothing painful. I took two Advil beforehand. But I also had no blockages, which probably contributed to it being relatively pain free.

They provided a pad after (and a helpful tip to waddle from the table to changing room), but I also didn't really experience any leakage. Not really sure where the fluid went to so quickly!

abt8113

carcrashheart said:

i've had an HSG done and recently an SHG. they gave me pads both times so i didn't have to take my own. the HSG was far more painful/uncomfortable. it's mostly uncomfortable while they insert the catheter. 

Wait, what?! A catheter? Ok someone walk me through what will happen like I'm 5. My doctor clearly didn't tell me anything about the procedure. Also, how long did it take?

sandollar1010

They put a catheter through your cervix to insert the dye, that part isn't bad - not much more uncomfortable than a pap.  Once they inject the dye, I felt some intense, but quick cramps.  The set up took maybe 5-10 minutes, and then the dye part only took about a minute.  It really isn't horrible, and most people don't have any major discomfort - unfortunately, a few do.  Good luck!

Edit - Also, the nurse had me put my hands under my bum, so I wouldn't have the urge to grab my abdomen. 

nfp147

It starts out similarly to a pelvic exam/pap...feet in stir-ups, speculum inserted, etc.  The doctor inserts a small catheter for the dye to flow through to check for blockages.  

Mine might have taken 10 minutes total.

LuckyAngel07

The catheter insertion was NBD for me. My dr had me cough and she just pushed it right through my cervix; I didn't feel it at all.

Injecting the dye/iodine through it hurt like severe cramps. And the only thing I want to do when I have cramps like that is curl up in a ball, but of course, you're lying flat on a table, so you just have to breath through it. It was really hard for me when she asked me to tilt my pelvis slightly one way and then the next to get the dye to run to my right and left sides. It really is over pretty quickly, and I had zero discomfort afterward. They gave me the biggest pad I've ever seen, but I hardly leaked at all.

RockABye

You'll get mixed answers on this. Some gals say it's a piece of cake. Others (like me) had horrible experiences. I think my experience was far from the norm though. Both of my tubes were blocked so no dye could get through. They pushed the dye really hard to try and get it through, thinking maybe there was just a blockage that could be flushed out as they can sometimes do, but alas... twas not my luck. The balloon catheter came out a few times. In the end, I had to have surgery to unblock the tubes, which was actually a miillion times easier than the HSG lol..

The pain didn't last long though so don't worry. The whole thing was maybe 10-15 minutes, with most of that being the time they were prepping. That hurt me too, but that's because even paps and IUIs are painful to me. The speculum and I are mortal enemies. Once all was in place, the actual severe pain was probably no more than 10-15 seconds at a time and they warned me before they pushed the dye. It was just when they were flooding the dye in. Since it had no where to go, it hurt and it was messy.

As soon as they were done, I really felt totally fine physical. I had zero cramping or anything afterwards.. heck, I went shopping!  BUT you will bleed for a few days most likely. For me, it was like a light AF, minus the cramps. Take some pain killer beforehand and a comfortable pad or two in case they give you those monsterous pillow pads to use!

It really sucked, but I still am glad I did it because otherwise, I'd have had no idea there was an issue. Most definitely a worthwhile test. And while I say i'd never do it again, if I needed to, I would. I would cry, but I would do it again I hope yours is a piece of cake and they find nothing significant! Good luck!!

Xan921

My HSG was painless. I took a few Advil before hand and I guess that took care of any pain I would have had. I had zero cramps during and no cramps after. The setting up part took the longest and the radiologist had a little trouble getting into my cervix then once the dye was in they had me tilt from side to side to move it around. The anticipation of it was so much worse for me than the actual procedure which was just like a pap. It's different for everyone though. Good luck!

islandmonkey8

Mine wasn't too bad, just like most previous posters. I hope yours is easy and you get the all clear! Try not to worry too much, you can handle it!

DangerMuffin23

I had cramping for about 10-15 seconds that I was able to breathe through. (Though I did take two aleve an hour beforehand). I didn't even leak afterwards, I just wiped up and went about my day. I wore a pad, but honestly didn't need it. (Prob depends on how much fluid they have to use in your case). I loved that the results were instant.

poppies717

Mine was awful. It was very painful. I hope yours is easy peasy!

Apollo11235

No advice, but good luck! I hope it's not too painful for you and that you get the all clear!