What Should I Expect from a (HSG) Hysterosalpingogram??

I had this done years ago and do not recall any type of extreme discomfort...maybe some cramping. But, there was nothing unusual found and I actually became pregnant soon after...within the month. Maybe, my "female organs" were flushed out or something... who knows but 13+ years later I have 4 kids.

For me, the procedure went like this: You lay down and they put a catheter inside you. Then they squeeze dye through the catheter and look at the spill of dye through your uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries on a screen.

To me it felt like I had to go to the bathroom really bad but couldn't. The liquid dye creates a lot of pressure and the pressure lasts for a few minutes while they look at everything. I did experience some pain because one of my tubes was blocked and they used the catheter and liquid to try and flush it out. That was painful and I took some advil after I got home.

You are already more prepared than I was because you are asking and getting loads of advice prior to the procedure. My advise would be to take some advil with you and a pad as they provide are not the most comfortable. Don't plan a lot of activity for the rest of day as you will feel a little sore and crampy. During the procedure, deep breathing helped me get through the worst of the pain.

After that test I did IUI and now I have a beautiful 7 1/2 month old girl!

Best of luck!

I had the procedure done and had no discomfort or pain. I did take 2 Advil before, just in case, b/c I read it could be uncomfortable. I went alone and drove myself home and experienced no pain. I had read about other people having different reactions, but I was fine. Good luck! (BTW, I now have a baby girl via IVF).

Dear M.,
Different women have different pain tolerances. When I had my procedure, they gave me something, not so much for pain, but to help me relax so the dye can do it's thing.
They didn't give it to me in advance, they gave it to me at the hospital because I was too tensed up. My doctor had written in the orders that if that happened to give me a sedative. Being relaxed made a big difference.
I did have cramps, but I wasn't doubled over or unable to walk or anything.
I'd had a bunch of other surgeries and one of my ovaries removed so I didn't think it was all that bad.
LIke I said, once I relaxed, everything went quickly and I was really no worse for wear. I didn't find it horribly painful at all.
I took nothing for pain afterwards.
Relaxing makes it more smoothe. All around.

Let us know how it turns out.

I don't want to scare you but you asked...that was one of the most painful procedures that I ever had done and I have had a C-section and a VBAC. I did not have any pain killers or medicine before the prodedure, I don't recall being offered any. I believe a lot has to do with the doctors technique. I recall after the prodedure was done and I was visably in pain, the attending nurse said to me that "that Dr. X can be rough with this procedure". I think she was trying to tell me that she saw how rough he was and was acknowledging that I would be in pain.
It was done in the hospital first thing in the morning and I was prepared to go to work afterward but because of the pain, I did stay home and took the day off.
My suggestion would be to have some sort of pain killer or sedative before going in for the procedure.
I also want to let you know my sister-in-law had this done and she had a completely different experience than me. I remember her having some sort of pain killer given to her beforehand. She did not have the pain during or afterward that I had. Like I said, I think it depends so much on the doctor.
I did eventually conceive through IUI with a baby girl and then the next two children came naturally with no medical help!
Best of luck to you.

Its very different for everyone... i've had this procedure a few times as it took years for us to get pregnant.
The first time i was under general anesthesia for another reason and my doctors coordinated it so that i could be out for it.
The second time it was HORRIBLY painful... that being said, i have many issues in that area -- had aggressive cervical cancer and the surgeries for that led to horrible scar tissue that narrowed my cervical canal (so i'm sure that didn't help)... plus my tubes were blocked and with the dye they inject, they try to push the blockage out, so i hear that makes it hurt more... the basic pain meds they suggested definitely didn't help me! You may be one of those people who have no problem with it, but just incase i'd recommend taking the vicoden!
I think it has more to do with your anatomy than your pain tolerance because i have a very good pain tolerance with other procedures i've had, but for me this one was bad.

on average though i've heard most people just have bad cramping.

as far as how long it takes... it was fast, maybe 10-15 minutes or so...

and as far as fertility, i've heard it increases your fertility for the first few months because it clears and lubricates your tubes!

Good luck!!

I had this done 2 years ago - for the same fertility reasons. It took less than 15 minutes and felt like a pap-smear. There was some mild cramping afterwards - but nothing that a little Advil or Tylenol couldn't take care of. I was shocked when I read that your Dr prescribed Vicoden. But - to each her own, I guess.

My test revealed no blockage, but that I had a heart shaped uterus. We ended up doing strong fertility drugs for 18 months, and then our insurance dropped fertility treatment coverage. We took a month off, I saw an acupuncturist, and in 3 months, I was pregnant. I had my son in August 09, and I was 39 years old. He is 9 months old now, and we are actively trying for baby #2.

Good luck!!

I had one, and it hurt.

Take the vicodin before you go to try to combat the pain. All they told me was to take advil and that did not cut it. It is like really bad cramps, not as bad a labor but still painful. But a previous post was right, it really does depend on your threshold for pain i guess!

Also, bring a maxi pad with you to wear when you leave, you may leak some of the dye as you are walking!

Good luck

I applaud your Dr for warning you that it might be painful. My Dr. did not prepare me for that possiblility, and for me it was very uncomfortable. I almost passed out as I got off the table. The suggestion by a previous responder to bring a maxi pad is a good idea. I had this test done at the radiography department of the hospital, and the pads they had to offer were the ancient kind that need a belt to wear them. Having said that, Vicoden seems a little overkill, but you know yourself, if you have a low threshold for pain, take it. Good luck.

I had one done about 5years ago and it was very painful (more painful than any other procedure I have ever had including multiple surgeries)...but I had a blocked fallopian tube (I actually passed out and I have a very high tolerance to pain)...so it seems from everyone's response that the pain varies (if any). If they think you have some sort of blockage (which makes the all the dye unable to escape the uterus) I would take some sort of pain medicine. Good luck!

I had it done on my lunch housr and went right back to work--no big deal.

I had an HSG done a few years ago. It was uncomfortable but not that bad. It was really quick and it felt like bad cramps. By the time it started to get undcomfortable it was over. I thinnk the whoile procedure lasted 15 minutes from start to finish. I cant beleive he prescribed vicoden! Try not to stress about it but really it wasnt that bad at all. Most of all, good luck!! If you have any questions about any other procedures feel free to ask.

I had it done and had no pain or discomfort at all. I have heard a wide range of experiences from other women though. I think that it just depends on your anatomy and if you have a blockage or not.
I think that if you can stay relaxed during the procedure, it will lessen any discomfort you might have. That may be harder to do when you've heard that some have had painful experiences.
My doctor just told me to take some advil or motrin before the procedure just in case. I don't think that I even did that. Vicoden seems a little extreme to me, but given that other women have reported having serious pain and if you are really worried about the pain then maybe it is good that the doctor makes it available.
I wish you the best of luck getting pregnant.
all the best,
B.