HSG honest experiences, please

[caline]

I have been referred for an HSG having been ttc for 18 months. I was expecting to be referred for a lap and dye under general anaesthetic, so this has come as a suprise for me. Having psyched myself up for the general anaesthetic, then being sparko during the actual procedure, I am now rather nervous about being conscious throughout.

I understand they put a catheter into the cervix. Does this remain inplace through out the procedure? Then they put dye into your uterus? How long does the whole thing take? And, most importantly is it very painful? PLease be honest with me.

Thank you

 

[DaisyDuke]

I had mine in November, it's not pleasant but its over very quick and the thought of it seems to be worse.

They say it takes 30 mins but that included the prep time, for u lay there legs a kimbo being fiddled with it's less than 5.

The catheter bit didnt feel any worse than a smear really, and when the dye first stated to go in it wasnt to bad, had some period type cramps. For me 1 of my tubes didnt open to quick, so they had to keep putting more and more dye in, that did hurt and poor dh did hear me squealing down the corridor. However most peoples tubes open up right away so if my tube wasnt being naughty it wouldnt b to bad.

It's not pleasant and u do have to leave ur dignity at the door but it is over very quickly. Take the day off work and get ur OH to spoil u. My tummy was really bloated after and i felt tender for a few days, but looking back it really isnt to bad.

Hope ive not scared u, good luck. Oh the best bit is they say ur more fertile after, and that month i fell preg. XXX

 

[TrixieLox]

I had mine on Thursday and it was super-quick and not really that bad. It's very much like a smear so the usual process. But instead of a swob, a tube thing is inserted. You can't really feel that at all, but when they pop the dye in, there's pain for, like, 30 seconds. It was a yucky pain, I must admit. I would actually say it's different from period pain, more painful but it was over with SO quick, it really wasn't anything to write home about. I took ibofuren an hour before but the appointment was a bit late so probably worn off by then.

To me, it was a small step up from a smear test in terms of pain. It's definitely worth it and one of less difficult procedures to have. Good luck and please don't worry. I found breathing techniques (eg. meditation, yoga) helped me with it. It was a lot easier than I thought. x

 

[Plus2]

I had mine done in June/July time, and honestly it wasn't that painful, but you always prepare yourself for the worst.
The worst part was lying there with legs open, lol.
You could take a painkiller half an hour before.
Good luck.

 

[twinkle]

Hi there, i had hsg test done in sept. I was told that both tubes were blocked and that my only hope was ivf...which i cannot afford and cant get it done on Nhs as i am too old...at 42. Anyway we were devestated as you can imagine, but a week befor our wedding in nov last year we saw our consultant who said that she wanted me to have a lap and dye done as she wanted to double check my tubes...i really didnt want to but i had it done on 15th Dec...and guess what...tubes are perfect!!!! apparently they can spasm which gives the appearance of blocked tubes. So i guess what i am trying to say is that even if they appear blocked...ask for a second opinion. i am now on first month of clomid as i am not ovulating...so fingers crossed...hope all goes well for you xxxx

 

[JASMAK]

I had one done last year, and it was quite painful. I didn't take any pain killers before, because I had forgotten. I passed out three times, and they had to keep me for observation for a couple hours afterwards. I am only telling you because I think it would have been way less painful if I had taken some Advil or Tylenol (or both) before hand. Plus, the DR couldn't get the things in to open my cervix. GL...hope you get great results.

 

[eckh]

I had one in November- Like most said, it is rather uncomfortable but it is over quickly! I had 2 days of tetracycline before hand and took 800 mg ibuprofen an hour prior to procedure.... they had some difficultly getting the device to "hook on" to my unterus and to be honest, i cried but it was over super quick (less than 20 minutes)! During mine, they found that i had a rather large polyp and i just had the lap on Friday to have it taken out....

 

[rachelle1975]

Hey, had mine just before Christmas.

Had about 15 mins chatting and the procedure lasted about 10 mins - doc said if you relax it's quicker.

I was a bit tense as was in an uncomfortable position but the most uncomfortable part was the speculum - just like a smear. The dye was squirted in and that didn't hurt - gave me a full cramping feeling. Sharp 1 second pain when the catheter went through my cervix and that was it. As soon as they took the speculum out, any cramping vanished!

Very light spotting after - had a nice bath to flush the yukky dye away and i was right as rain - didn't even need painkillers

Obviously told DH is was super ouchy.... got some flowers

 

[JK1978]

I was one of the ladies that found it awfully painfull. I did take 600 mgs of Ibuprofen first, but it only helped with the post procedure pain. The painful part for me (and I was told is not the case for the majority) was the cath. She said "you will feel a pinch" and I felt it and cried out. I stupidly thought it was a shot of a numbing agent or something and at first the pain eased up but then it came in waves.

Also, the dye part was uncomfortable and hurt liek bad AF cramps.

Thankfully the procedure was over quickly.. about 5-7 minutes total. She also told me that blocked tubes can cause cramping that is worse then in the women who's tubes are not blocked.

My sister in law had it done and said she felt no pain at all, that it just felt like a longer pap smear.

I think each women is different, but I would for sure take 600 mgs of ibuprofen first and eat a light snack too because I felt so dizzy and naseaus on an empty stomach after.

 

[Ruthie1]

Hi Caline,

I had mine in Nov, it was exactly like a smear. It felt uncomfortable but not at all painful. It was over within 10 -15 minutes. I felt a bit bloated and sore after, but went straight back to work. I had no bad side effects.

All they do is open your cervix, like in a smear, and insert a catherter into your vagina and up into your womb. They hold it in palce with a little inflated ballon and push the liquid into you. Once they have you in the right place and the tube in, they place the x-ray machine over your abdomen and take a seies of pictures, I was lucky i could see exactly what the Dr saw on the screen, and i could clearly see the dye spilling out of both my tubes . I had been referd because under a Lap & Dye they thought one tube was blocked.
I was given the results then and there by the Dr.

Good luck, hope it all goes well for you.

x

 

[caline]

Hi All,

Thank you so much for your honest experiences. I have to say I am a bit of a wimp and not looking forward to if at all! However, it does help to hear other peoples experiences and that way I can go in with a realistic expectation of what its going to be like. They said I can have the lap and dye under GA instead if I'd prefer but for the sake of some pain for a short while I think the HSG is the way to go.

I guess like everything, some people are going to be more sensitive to it than others. I have had an internal exam before where the doc was having a good old route about (sorry)! I found it only uncomfortable, not painful, so I am hoping I am not too sensitive up there! Anyhow, its the only way forward so I would be stupid not to have it.

Thank you so much for your posts. It really has halped me.

 

[Jan34]

Hi Caline,
You seem to have a good response already, but I'll add my tuppence worth anyway! I found the insertion of the catheter painful - but tbh the whole thing was over so quickly that the pain was more than bearable. In fact, the worst part was the anticipation and worry beforehand - in hindsight, I didn't need to worry so much.
And as for the loss of dignity thing, to be honest, I found it heaps better than a smear as they cover you up with a sheet with a hole in and I felt so much less exposed than I do during a smear.
Good luck.

 

[BizyBee]

I had one in January and had a similar experience to most. It was definitely uncomfortable when they inserted the tube, painful for a few seconds when they put in the catheter, and I had some cramping when the dye was inserted. It was not unbearable, but it did hurt a little. It was a relatively quick procedure (15 minutes prep, about 5 to insert the dye and take x-rays.) I felt fine afterwards, but I did have spotting for a few days. I hope yours goes well!

 

[todye4_24]

Hey there Trixi!! I was doing a search on the Web and came across a post from you back in May 2008 regarding lengthening of the lp by taking vit b6! The question then was, how does it lengthen it, by o'ving earlier, or by prolonging the actual cycle? For me this question has never been answered by anyone to date, at least this is my conlcusion from all the searches I have done! I started taking b6 at the beginning of February along with prenatal vitamins. My cycle is 33 min and a max of 35 days, my luteal ranges from 6 to 8 and 7 being the median. Anyhow, I started my vitamins at the beginning of Feb. and currently I am cd 37. I have taken a hpt but it read -! So of course my question is, do the vitamins lengthen the cycle and when you will start AF, or do you O earlier? Also, I had cramping like AF was going to happen on the projected day of cd 35 that lasted on and off all that day and cd36 and 37 as well, I seem to be fine right now but only time will tell. Could that have been implantation cramping or is AF on it's way from a delay due to the vitamins? Thanks a bunch,,,,,and wishing you all the baby dust there is!

 

[TrixieLox]

Hey there Trixi!! I was doing a search on the Web and came across a post from you back in May 2008 regarding lengthening of the lp by taking vit b6! The question then was, how does it lengthen it, by o'ving earlier, or by prolonging the actual cycle? For me this question has never been answered by anyone to date, at least this is my conlcusion from all the searches I have done! I started taking b6 at the beginning of February along with prenatal vitamins. My cycle is 33 min and a max of 35 days, my luteal ranges from 6 to 8 and 7 being the median. Anyhow, I started my vitamins at the beginning of Feb. and currently I am cd 37. I have taken a hpt but it read -! So of course my question is, do the vitamins lengthen the cycle and when you will start AF, or do you O earlier? Also, I had cramping like AF was going to happen on the projected day of cd 35 that lasted on and off all that day and cd36 and 37 as well, I seem to be fine right now but only time will tell. Could that have been implantation cramping or is AF on it's way from a delay due to the vitamins? Thanks a bunch,,,,,and wishing you all the baby dust there is!

For me, it added a coupla days onto my cycle so didn't make it O earlier, just made me get AF later, I've stopped taking it now and my AF is regular and still same length so worth it for a few months. Good luck! x