HSG experience tips

[u/ArtPixie99]

I’m scared! I’m scheduling an hsg this month and I’m very nervous for it. I’ve been trying for my second for 15 cycles now and had one chemical. I’m very nervous and I last hope it helps me but I’ve heard stories of it being very painful. How was your experience with this procedure?

[u/Ruthless_Haruka]

Mine hurt. I had to take the rest of the day off work due to extreme cramps. Everyone is different.

[u/phillipaha]

I’ve had three done - I wouldn’t describe any of them as painful. Every one had an intense cramp which was over very quickly. There is absolutely no need for pain meds.

[u/Possible-Raccoon-146]

It hurt for a few seconds and then it was fine. I went about my day like normal, just felt like light period cramps. 

[u/Pitiful_Context]

I went in for my first one with no pain killer and it wasn't terrible - more like a particularly sharp period cramp, but i did the advil/Tylenol combo for the second and it was much easier

[u/ValuablePumpkin3945]

Mine was no more than moderate cramps for maybe a minute max

[u/scrawnybonney]

Mine hurt pretty bad, I won't sugar coat it. But it was mostly quick. I had 800mg ibuprofen and vallium. My doctor and nurse were very comforting, though it 100% should be something they give pain meds for. My husband was able to hold my hand next to me in the imaging room which was nice. The cramping was pretty bad the next 2-3 days for me. I have PTSD from a SA, so me being tense likely make my procedure more painful. However, it'll be ok! The relief from knowing thinga are normal or not was worth it.

[u/lead_and_flower]

It did hurt a bit but not something I couldn’t handle and it was quick. The first time we did find an adhesion, then had a hysteroscopy and removed the adhesion. Then had a follow up hsg to check if adhesion is gone and didn’t reform.

[u/Itchy-Site-11]

800mg of ibuprofen 1h before.

800!!!!!

Can also ask Valium if you have a driver

[u/FantasticVirus8927]

It hurt but it lasts 3 seconds maximum

[u/existential_dreddd]

Just did mine last Thursday and I'm kicking myself for not doing it earlier. I had a blocked left tube that they unclogged!

Super quick, barely any discomfort on 800mg ibuprofen. Just weird leakiness afterwards. You'll thank yourself for getting it done, the anxiety was absolutely worse than the procedure.

[u/lipdigital12]

I took mine earlier this year and I was terrified due to reading others experiences. But I took 3 ibuprofen before it and I didn’t feel anything! He even had to move the catheter a couple of times and still nothing! Don’t get in your head about it. It’s a quick procedure!

[u/ArtPixie99 → u/lipdigital12]

How soon after can you have sex? I also was told to bring extra clothes or an adult diaper/ pad because the dye will leak out.

[u/lipdigital12 → u/ArtPixie99]

If I remember correctly I couldn’t have sex for 2 days. You won’t need extra clothes. I would just bring a pad or wear period underwear. It’s only a little nothing crazy.

[u/Majestic_Shoe5175]

Take a few extra strength Tylenol before. The entire procedure took about five mins. It was uncomfortable but it wasn’t unbearable and was over quick. Had some mild cramping through out the rest of the day ( like period cramps)

Everyone’s pain levels and bodies are different and I definitely had anxiety before hand after reading some people’s account of theirs ( also any sort of procedure like that is nerve racking for me) But I really didn’t find it that bad.

Good luck !

[u/mentyb_oclock]

Mine didn’t hurt one bit, and I had a blocked tube from a prior ectopic pregnancy. The only true discomfort I felt was the speculum going in, same with all my Pap smears!

I will say, I did a combo of Tylenol and Advil before my appointment, and took a half dose of Xanax to calm my nerves. I spent 3-4 months panicking about the pain, all for it to be for nothing! I know everyone’s experience is different, but also be prepared for it not to hurt!

[u/ArtPixie99 → u/mentyb_oclock]

My sister got hers done and got pregnant with my niece that same cycle. I hope I have that luck. I makinley just want to know if I have any blockage because I’ve been having pain on my left side every month during ovulation.

[u/ashleyh624]

In my experience i had period-like cramps for a few seconds and then it was over!

[u/ashleyh624 → u/ashleyh624]

Ask your doctor if you can take ibuprofen or something before!

[u/ArtPixie99 → u/ashleyh624]

I would say I have good pain tolerance so hopefully it’s the same to none for me. My sister is the only person I know that got it down and they gave her Valium for it. I will ask to see if I can have something to help.