Give it to me straight--having a hysterosalpingogram

[lalasmama]

I'm scheduled to have an HSG in a few weeks. I'm scared to death. Seriously, in the line of "medical things I'm scared of," this is in the top 10, maybe even the top 5.

So, tell me about your experience having one.... Prep, actual procedure, afterwards. Tell me the good, the bad, and the ugly/scary.

[specialp]

Honestly, no big deal. I've done it twice (few years apart). Took less than 5 minutes each time.

Some women do experience bad menstral like cramps afterwards, but I never did. To prep, they told me to take an OTC pain reliever (can't remember which brand, but it wasn't tylenol) before and which I promptly forgot to do the 2nd time with no issue. The first time they told me to have a full bladder, the 2nd time they said I didn't have to. HAving it done with a full bladder was more uncomfortable. Anyway, you go in, change into the gown, hop up on the table, a machine moves over your ovary area. Doctor inserts a catheter, pumps the fluid in and you watch as it fills into the uterus & tubes. You're done. You may spot afterwards for a day.

[DualvansMommy]

it really varies, from my talks with women who have had HSG. Like you, I became scared and was actually dreading it much more than my labor! It is brief, that's the good thing. It was uncomfortable for me, but only a little bit, it wasn't the catherer or opening me up that hurt, but the dye hurt which surprised me. I took pain relievers which really helped me beforehand, and personally i also think it really comes down to the skill of the doctor and whether the woman has any blockage. It seems to me, the more blockage (if any) in your tubes or ovaries, the more chances it'll be painful.

All in all, it wasn't as scary or painful the way it sounded to me prior when my doctor explained what HSG involved. Best of luck to you!

[Minnifer]

For me, it was fine, no big deal - have had 2 (or 3, can't remember). Mild discomfort during, that was it. I can't recall if I took ibuprofen or not - I think so, an hour beforehand. I've had a variety of procedures relating to infertility including multiple IVFS so not sure if that impacted my pain threshold/tolerance. GL - I'm sure it will be fine!

[kaharris83]

Not exactly a reassuring story, mine was very traumatic and painful. The doc and nurse had never worked together before. They were not in sync and things took much longer than normal. It was very, very painful when they inserted the dye and I have a crazy high pain tolerance, rated transition labor a 4-5 out of 10 which the docs and nurses couldn't believe. I couldn't walk or drive after my HSG. My OB said my tube was blocked which caused all the pain, my RE read the same scan and said there was no blockage. So I'm still not sure if the pain was from a blockage or just an inept doctor nurse team. I insisted on getting Xanax when I found out I needed another one. Luckily I didn't end up having it done. Sorry if this scares you, I wasn't trying to scare you. I think a lot of women have a painless experience. Hoping it is quick and painless for you!!

[erosenst]

Mine wasn't bad. At all. BUT - I had a female ob/gyn, who prescribed a full dose of Vicodin before the procedure, which I took, and at least one following. After that, they were optional (and I didn't take them).

There appears to be somewhat of a correlation between female ob/gyns and vicodin before, in my very unscientific survey. If you're concerned, ask for some.

Good luck!

[candaceb]

I have had 2. The first time was with the head gyn surgeon at a smallish midwestern hospital. I was majorly uncomfortable, was able to drive myself home, but spent the rest of the night and half the next day on the couch.

The second time, I was at an ivy league hospital and a fellow did it. I was tempted to stop at the outlet mall on the way home, and had to fake it to get DH to cook dinner that night.

So, it varies. Not sure if my experiences were due to skill or luck, but neither time was a huge deal. Like Minnifer though, I have been to hell and back with infertility and gyn-related procedures and this one just isn't high on the list in terms of "bad".

[lalasmama]

Thanks for all the information, wonderful BBB'ers! I knew I would hear the truth here I'm scheduled to have mine in just about 2 weeks, as part of a work-up into my numerous miscarriages.

I'm scared, like I said earlier, but I've heard many people now say that the pain in momentary, and that afterwards they felt fine or, as one friend IRL put it, "that run down feeling like on the first day of your period." I'm having it done on a Thursday, and expected to be back to work the following day.

I imagine in the grand scheme of things, this is just the start of the invasive stuff--I might as well get used to it now, huh?

[brittone2]

I had one prior to starting injectables when we were ttc my DS1. It was not bad at all in my case. I had a female RE, and she joked that she was more generous with anesthetic for the procedure than her male counterparts. Perhaps that helped. She was a great doc.

It was a long time ago (9 years) but it was not a big deal at all for me. I do have a pretty high pain tolerance but I don't remember it being painful.

I did not get vicodin. Just whatever local they used, and I think they suggested ibuprofen or tylenol afterward...can't recall as it has been a while. eta: no blockages, so maybe that helped too.

[StantonHyde]

And don't forget--for half the women who have one, they actually get pg after the procedure with no further intervention. Worked for me!!