HSG Test - Framingham,MA

Hi, I had a hysterosalpingogram about 8 years ago. I think the pain level depends on a few things. Of course, your individual pain threshold is a factor, but also the condition of your fallopian tubes. My tubes had some slight blockage, so they basically used a bit of force with the dye in an attempt to push the blockage through. It was pretty painful, but it was only for a few minutes. I would recommend taking advil beforehand. I do have friends that did not have any blockage, and they did not seem to have too much pain at all.
It was worth it for me, though! I got pregnant a few months after, and now have four little ones. Good luck!

Hi - I had it done about 8 years ago and it was AWFUL! However, the doc never told me it could be painful so I was totally unprepared. I would strongly suggest taking motrin before you start. I must have had a blockage because I was pregnant the following month, so it was worth it in the end. And I went on to have 2 more babies without needing the test again!

I had an HSG a few years ago & I remember it being slightly painful. The pain for me wasn't like cramping, it was like a series of sharp pains in the ovaries more than anything. (On a scale of 1-10, I'd say like a 5 on the ouch factor.) It's not stabbing pain per se & I didn't find it to be an aching paine either, but it's uncomfortable for sure. Not the kind of discomfort that you're going to jump of the table or ball up and cry though. If you've had a child & ovarian cysts, you'll do more than fine - to me, nothing hurts worse than that! Take some Tylenol before, take a good support person to hold your hand and relax.

Hi B., I had the test done it is painful, but for me it was more emotionaly painful. The nurses I had were very nice and supportive during the procedure. Good luck. S. G

Hi B.,

Yes I have had the HSG test done twice. Quite frankly it is very painful and uncomfortable...and thought (to myself) while it was happening..."why am I doing this". Good news is it does not last very long. If you have a family member or a friend who can drive you I'd recommend asking your doctor for a very low dose Valium to take just before. You can also take 4 over the counter Ibuprofens an hour before (please know I am not a doctor...this is totally my "recommendation").

I was very fortunate I had a great nurse in the room and she put a cool wash cloth on me head and held my hand. You just have to keep in mind (difficult during the event) the reason you are having this fertility diagnostic test...To hopefully have a family...and to get some answers as to what is going on. In the grand scheme of things this is one the best diagnostic tools that is the "least" invasive to see what is going on.

I wish you all the best!!! I'm a mom of twins now! Hang in there..I know this journey you are on. Warmly, C.

B.,

I had the HSG test done about 2.5 years ago when we were trying to conceive our daughter (2nd round IVF). It wasn't comfortable but it wasn't awful. Take a couple of Tylenol (or your favorite over the counter pain reliever) before and you should be fine. I had it done and went to work (very physical job)right after having it done. There was cramping immediately after but it passed within an hour or so. Definitely worth it to get our angel. If you have any other questions (I've pretty much been through it all), send me an e-mail. Good Luck!

I've had it -at Beth Israel hospital. it didn't hurt a bit. Not even a little. It wasn't too big of a deal. Go for it!

Hi B.,
I had this test about a year ago. It was not really painful at all. A little uncomfortable, that's it. That's my personal experience...but I did have natural childbirth for our son 7 years ago so my pain tolerance may be up there. I did not think the proceedure was painful at all.
Good luck and don't be nervous, it could be just the test to help you out!
E.

I had this test done 6 years ago after three miscarriages to try to figure out what could be the problem. The test was painful but I went into it thinking it was going to be "mildly uncomfortable" so I was mentally not prepared. It wasn't horrible, but it was a surprise! Taking Tylenol before would be a good idea. I got pregnant the next month and have two little ones now so it was certainly worth it!!

Hi,

I had this test with minimal discomfort. There is some cramping but it's more an uncomfortable feeling than a painful one. Also it takes very little time so it's over quickly. Good Luck!

Barb

Hi B., I myself have had this test done, honestly, not that big a deal. Yea there was SOME cramping, but nothing to even bring a tear to my eye. Of course everyone is different, I thought maybe it was because I have a high tollerance for pain, then I vaginally delivered my daughter and discovered I have NO tollerance for pain!!! HA! It is all so well worth it!! Take care and best of luck to you!!!

hi B.~
i had two hsg tests... the first one was extremely painful, but i think it was b/c the dr i had could not "plug" my uterus to keep the dye from "falling out". i had to have it done again... i took a valium beforehand and i was fine. i had some slight cramping. i believe i took some pain reliever before the procedure. hope this helps. i have spoken to a few women who had this done... majortity had minor cramping.

Hi B.,

I had this test done the first time I was trying to get pregnant. It wasn't pleasant but I saw it as a neccesary means to an end. I now have a beautiful little boy who just turned 4 (conceived through IVF) and I'm expecting baby #2 in March, also conceived through IVF. Everyone's pain tolerance is different. I did cry during the procedure...partly because of the discomfort but mostly becasue of why I was having this test. I really didn't know what to expect beforehand so I went alone. If possible, have your husband or a really close support person with you, especially if you are nervous. It is a procedure done in radiology so just remember that if your support person is female, she will not be able to stay in the room with you if she is pregnant.

As far as the pain is concerned, to me it felt like really bad menstrual cramps. I think I took a couple of Motrin both an hour before and right after the exam...double check with your doctor. The pain is only temporary and again it's a means to an end.

Feel free to contact me if you have any more specific questions or concerns.

Good luck and try not to stress about it...I know, I know, easier said than done :)

D.

This test was not bad at all. I have had every test procedure under the sun in order to get pregnant. The first HSG was like moderate cramping with a period. However, since you have given birth already, your uterus is stretched. My second HSg (after my first child) was nothing. Didn't even need ibuprofen. My doctor said it was because the uterus was stretched from the first.
Your a Mom....you can handle this...I assure you. 5 IUI and 3 IVFs later, it was all worth it for us! Godd luck whatever your decision.

I had this done before having my first child. I too was concerned about the pain, it was indeed uncomfortable, I can't lie but it was just for a short time. Once the proceedure was over most of the pain went with it, I was able to go back to work. I got pregnant 2 weeks later!! Good Luck

Hi B.,I was having trouble getting pregnant years ago and had this test done to see if my tubes were blocked.  The test was not painful at all. I was anticipating the worst and it turned out to be very easy.  Good luck, I hope everything works out for you!

I just wrote a long email and it didnt save it!!
email me if you want to talk, ____@____.com but I had this test done in August at Uconn in Farmington and I truly thing this HELPED us get pregnant. I am now 14 weeks pregnant! The test itself is the most uncomfortable feeling in the world, well ... it is uncomfortable I dont want to scare you or anything but just know I THINK it worked to help blow out anything that was in there! Expect cramping and bleeding afterwards as well.
Good Luck!!! I pray that this works for you as well.

HI B.- I had an HSG test after after many months of not getting pregnant, and a prior miscarriage. It did show that one of my fallopian tubes was blocked, cutting my chances of getting pregnant without "assistance" in half. They were surprised that I'd gotten pregnant at all before.
Anyway, to get to the pain part-there was a moderate amount of cramping about halfway through the procedure, that subsided several minutes after it was done. It wasn't pleasant, but it wasn't the worst. Finding out the info. about my tube being blocked made it worth it, because then we knew, considering that, and my age at the time, we had to try IVF. We did, and had a successful pregnancy of twin girls on the first try! They're now 9, and arguing as I write this to you.
Some other women I met during the prep for the procedure/IVF process said they had no pain at all, other reported severe cramps. So, I guess you don't know what you'll experience until you go through it. But the info. you'll gain from the test results will likely make it worth it. Best of luck.

My daughter-in-law had it done because she was having trouble with her pregency but she lost the baby.When she finally got pregant they did it again and when the child came, a loving boy that's the apple of my eye,he still came down with down sedome(??)Now 8 years later they had their 3rd child and no test this time because they put it in God's hands because either way, they weren't gonna terminate the birth.I have a super loving beautiful baby girl,perfectly healthy, normal and smart as a whip.I have 8 grands 4/4 each.I'm not sure if my kids are finish but my grands are old enough to make me a greatgrand.Let life begin,I'm ready..........R.

Hi B.,
I had the test done to check to see if I had any blockages when I wasn't getting pregnant. The pain is like a really bad cramp and it lasts for about 30 seconds.
I didn't have any blockages. As soon as it was done, the pain was gone. And after 6 months of fertility treatment, I am now 6 mos pregnant with twins through IVF. You can handle it.

I've had 2 - one in 2005 and the 2nd about 6 months ago. The first one was incredible painful but only lasted a minute. The 2nd one didn't hurt at all - I took 4 advil about an hour before the test. I think the advil must've done the trick. You had a child, you can handle this pain - if you have any. Good luck! And take advil beforehand.

Hi B.. I've had this test done in the past and only had minimal cramping during it. They will probably advise you to take some Tylenol before the test to help with that. Best of luck to you!

Hi, I have taken the test and it was not painful at all. My best friend had the test and I actually went in with her for support and she was so nervous that I think it hurt her a little more beucase she was so rigid. Really try to relax when you have it done and I think it will be less painful. I mean it when I say it was not painful at all for me. I have heard that if there is blockage, that is usually when it hurts a little more. Just know that there is hope it will not hurt, and just try to relax and know it will be over soon. If you can, bring someone with you so that you can hold their hand and squeeze it really hard instead of tensing up your body. Good luck!

I am not sure about this test, but i did have an IUD inserted, which is the same way they perform this test. It was crampy and made me somewhat light headed for about 5 minutes after, but not at all UNBEARABLE. Probably worth it to find out what this test could tell you.

I had it done. It definitely hurts, but the test doesn't take that long and the pain is over as soon as it is over. Don't worry, if you"ve had a child already, you will be able to handle the pain.

B.,
I just had this done as we have been trying to get pregnant and are now going through fertility treatments. THIS TEST IS NOT AS BAD AS PEOPLE SAY IT IS!!!! Just relax take the 800 mg of motrin an hour before and you will be fine. I was so worried that it was going to be unbelievably painful and I felt nothing and had a blockage. A little cramping when they put the dye in but nothing to fear.