Do HSG tests hurt?

KTGush

Back from first RE appt. Doc ordered one.  Just wondering what to expect.

Thanks

krissyh21

Well, there are many other things I would like to be doing on a sunny after noon but in all honesty for me - the anticipation far exceeded any pain I felt. I had severe menstral like cramping for a few minutes, but then it was over. SOme people say it is worse, some no pain at all - so it is diferent for everyone. Goodluck.

Tryingtogetpregnant

Mine was very painful. I am not going to lie. Of all of the tests and procedures I have done (I've been through IVF), this is still the most painful test I have had. However, the positive side is that it is a very short test and only lasts for 30 sec. or so. If I had to do it again, I would ask for valium or a painkiller ahead of time.

I would strongly recommend taking 4 Tylenol before you go.

Good luck!

naflmj

I had mine today and it was so much better than I anticipated. My uterus was retroverted and she had trouble with my cerivx positioning and all I felt was some pressure...she was shocked I wasn't in pain. I got up and went back to work with no problem. I think the anticipated is worse than the test.

liturgicalgirl

I completely agree about the anticipation - it wasn't nearly as bad as I feared. That said, it hurt like hell for about 10 seconds. Definitely take 4 Advil (or tylenol, if Advil makes your stomach weird) about 30 minutes beforehand. I know several women who had pain-free HSG's too, so it might be nothing at all to worry about.

marcuej

I'm with Tryingtogetpregnant.  My HSG was horribly painful!  It's been the worst experience I've had in my IF journey so far too.  I think the reason it hurt so bad is that one side was blocked, so all the dye went to the right side, which caused me more pain.  Hopefully yours will be clear and you won't have any problems.  I'd take the Tylenol beforehand for sure though!  Good luck!

nrjf01

Mine was painful and had alot of pressure.  But it was very quick and I felt fine the minute the procedure was over.  The cool thing about it was my RE should me the the film immidiately after so I was able to see the dye in my uterus and watch it flow out.  By all means premedicate prior!  

SunMoon&Stars

You'll get many different opinions, but I've had two and honestly, they're not that bad.

You will have cramping for the rest of the evening, but that was really the worst of it for me.

livvielo

I didn't feel mine one bit. Seriously, that little cramping I get from a Pap smear was worse than my HSG.

Dr.Loretta

Pain ranges from nothing to excruciating, depending on the person.

You'll go into an x-ray room, they'll take a baseline x-ray, then set you up like a Pap with a speculum. They'll thread a catheter up to your cervix, close it off, and inject dye. They'll take pictures of the dye going through your uterus and tubes.

Some people cramp, some don't. Even if you feel pain, it won't last long.

Take some painkillers before you go, bring socks to keep your feet from freezing on the floor, and bring a pad in case you spot/leak dye.

Good luck.

prayin4ablssn

I'm not going to sugar coat this...mine hurt like someone had a vice grip around my uterus. I wanted to kick that stupid radiologist in the head, he wore this dumb little Superman scrub hat and he had a big honkin pony tail out the back and I could've yanked him by that pony tail and swung him across the room. BUT I went to a shoddy place, it was like a HealthSouth x-ray place that did maybe 2 HSG's a year. They didn't tell me I could take pain relievers before I went in or anything. So make sure you ask what you can take because that supposedly relieves much of the pain. I've only had the one.

Bun-Bun

Unfortunately, I was one of the unlucky ones and it hurt like a biatch. Definitely take some otc drugs, and hopefully they might give you something. I think it might be a crap shoot. Some people have a breeze of a time and others don't.. don't go in with a preconceived notion..I know easier said then done.

Good luck!

LadyRed7

sorry to say, mine hurt like He!! and back again. I had it yesterday and was menstrual cramps x100! Like all pp said, everyone's experience will be different so definately take some painkillers first and the positive side is that it is only about 8 minutes from start to finish. good luck!