Let's talk HSGs

babygirlpriest

I CANNOT believe I am asking the following:

1. Why am I getting this done? Yes I'm serious. Dr. Google indicates this would make sense for someone with 'structural' issues in the lady bits and I've never had a problem getting pregnant or 'hanging on' to the pregnancy.
2. What kind of pain are we talking about here? How long does it take, am I out for the day, is it really sucky but just while they do it?
3. Anything else I should know going in?

eminbmore

I don't know the answers to the last two, but for me - I don't have a problem getting pregnant either (although I do seem to have a problem staying pregnant) and I'm having both an HSG and a SHG done.  My RE said it would be irresponsible to do all of the other testing and not do this - if we later found something down the road on an HSG that we could have found now, we would have wasted a bunch of time and resources by skipping what is a pretty simple test.  He also said there were a couple things he wanted to look for (ovarian cysts, and other things I don't remember) that could be indicative of underlying conditions. 

babygirlpriest

eminbmore:

I don't know the answers to the last two, but for me - I don't have a problem getting pregnant either (although I do seem to have a problem staying pregnant) and I'm having both an HSG and a SHG done.  My RE said it would be irresponsible to do all of the other testing and not do this - if we later found something down the road on an HSG that we could have found now, we would have wasted a bunch of time and resources by skipping what is a pretty simple test.  He also said there were a couple things he wanted to look for (ovarian cysts, and other things I don't remember) that could be indicative of underlying conditions. 

Thanks - I know that's the dumbest question imaginable.

I when doc. was ordering it she said, "Well, I guess let's do the HSG..." When I asked why she just said, "Oh let's just see" or something.

Kinda felt like she was just crossing another thing off the list (not that I'm against exploring every long shot option to figure out what the hell is going on). I just couldn't get a clear answer of what she expected to find given my loss history.

rjl07

1.  The HSG will check out your ute and tubes to make sure there are no blockages, polyps, fibroids, or septums.  I think it is one of the basic tests they do to rule out any issues.  I had no symptoms of anything either, but they found a polyp and wanted to remove it just in case.

2.  I really had no pain at all.  One of my friends had me so worried about it and told me I should take someone with me and not drive myself.  I had no problem and could have gone back to work, but I had already taken the day off so I didn't bother.  The test itself is pretty quick and you can see the dye on the screen which is pretty cool. 

3.  I took 3 or 4 advil about 45 minutes before the test and I highly recommend that.  It's mostly just uncomfortable because you have the big speculum shoved up there and they might tell you to tilt to either side to make the dye flow.  It didn't really hurt, but it was awkward.  If you do get any pain, just remember it is a very quick test and it will be over by the time you feel anything.  Good luck!

carebear08

I had an HSG done a few months ago. I didn't have a problem getting pregnant either - just staying pregnant. They weren't so much looking for blocked tubed, but mainly looking for scar tissue, and other abnormalities.

I was at the radiology center for all of 45 minutes - most of which was prep. The actual procedure was 2 minutes, seriously. It wasn't painful for me, but more of an odd sensation. I also had no pain after the procedure. I did take the whole day off though!

If they'll let you, take 800mg of Ibprofen before you go. It worked wonders for me! Also, bring a panty liner with you. What goes up, must come down.

Good luck!

CarrieLeigh84

babygirlpriest:

I CANNOT believe I am asking the following:

1. Why am I getting this done? Having a look for blocked tubes, clubbed tubes, general deformities in the 'lady bits' area.
   
2. What kind of pain are we talking about here? Mine hurt. A lot. Like really, really bad cramps. Take a few Motrin ahead of time, and it will help
3. Anything else I should know going in? Bring a pad, in case you spot, or leak out some fluid. I didn't have a lot in the way of cramps for the rest of the day, but that 10 mins on the table sure as hell sucked.
   

dondraandluis

1. I haven't had one but I asked my RE why he is doing a saline u/s instead of that one. He said that the HSG is more for problems in your tubes like blockages because they dye will show that and that he doesn't think I will need that because I have had no problems getting pg. He said the saline is more accurate in checking for septums than the HSG.

I can't answer number 2 or 3.

All this is based on what my RE told me, so I'm definitely no expert!

Orchard27

Like you've heard from others, my RE thought it was worth checking to see if the pipes were clear. 

Unlike what you've heard from others, mine hurt.  The test is short, so it didn't hurt for long, but it did hurt quite a bit.  The doc had me set-up, but then had to take things out and start again for some reason I couldn't hear because I was screaming inside my head.  I also cramped a lot for a day or so after.  I seem to have a disagreeable cervix (also had a miserable IUI experience), so please don't get totally freaked by my experience.  I do think the suggestion to take a couple of advil before is a good one.

good luck

cintim

rjl07:

1.  The HSG will check out your ute and tubes to make sure there are no blockages, polyps, fibroids, or septums.  I think it is one of the basic tests they do to rule out any issues.  I had no symptoms of anything either, but they found a polyp and wanted to remove it just in case.

2.  I really had no pain at all.  One of my friends had me so worried about it and told me I should take someone with me and not drive myself.  I had no problem and could have gone back to work, but I had already taken the day off so I didn't bother.  The test itself is pretty quick and you can see the dye on the screen which is pretty cool. 

3.  I took 3 or 4 advil about 45 minutes before the test and I highly recommend that.  It's mostly just uncomfortable because you have the big speculum shoved up there and they might tell you to tilt to either side to make the dye flow.  It didn't really hurt, but it was awkward.  If you do get any pain, just remember it is a very quick test and it will be over by the time you feel anything.  Good luck!

This exactly. I had slight cramping afterwards, even after taking 800mg of Ibuprofen 2 hours before the procedure.

 

SweetieD21

1.  I didn't have any symptoms, but it's one of the basic tests that's done to figure out why someone can't get pregnant.  6 months after my hsg, I had a lap done, which found polyps and endometriosis, so there are things that an hsg won't pick up on.

2.  I just had some cramping while they did the test but it only lasted a few seconds.  I drove myself and drove home.  I took the rest of the day off work since it was a Friday, but I could have easily gone to work afterwards.  I took 4 advil about a half hour before the test so I'm sure that helped with the cramping I felt. 

 

JuJuBe3

I think you got your answer for #1, so I won't reiterate.

I think it hurt and just overall felt weird and pressury.  It went by fast and that is the good part.  My two best tips (might also be reiterative) are to take your antibiotic and pain medication before you go and bring your own pad, unless you like those hospital 1950s ones.  The best part is that you'll get the results while you're still on the table.

Afterwards, plan on chilling out, taking more pain meds and drinking lots of water.  Good luck!

LMichelleG

1. Same answer as PP's - check for blockages, etc.

2. Mine did not hurt at all. I had a super gentle Dr. who made it his personal mission to ensure patients were entirely comfortable. Honestly, I had zero pain. I took the day off, but could have easily gone back to work. The whole thing was done within 15 minutes.

3. I thought it was going to be a much bigger deal than it was. It was on the same level as a regular vag u/s for me. But if you're nervous pop a couple of ibuprofin's before you go.