What is a Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)? Fertilitycommunity.com defines the test as follows:
HSG is a test used primarily to determine if a woman’s fallopian tubes are open or blocked. HSG also gives some idea as to the integrity (condition) of the endometrial cavity (uterine interior.) It is known as the most uncomfortable of diagnostic procedures for females. – Hysterosalpingogram or HSG
So, how “uncomfortable” is the test?
When my doctor told me I needed to have this test done, he said that I would experience discomfort but that the test would not be painful. He said that if my tubes were blocked, I would feel no pain, so discomfort would actually be a good thing. He really downplayed how big of a deal this would be.
When my doctor stepped out of the room, the nurse told me that some women find the test to be rather painful, so she suggested that I take four Advils one hour before the test. That way, I would have some form of pain medication in my body to alleviate the pain. I figured that it must not be too bad if all I needed was over-the-counter medication to endure it. Just to be on the safe side, I brought my sister along to the hospital with me so that she could drive me home if I did not feel up to it myself.
The test itself was not comfortable but also not too terribly painful for me. I had taken the day off work in case I was in too much pain that afternoon. I felt well enough to drive myself home, so my sister and I had a blast that afternoon watching a movie together. Overall, I remember the test being uncomfortable but not that big of a deal.
I talked with a man whose wife was fearful about having an HSG performed. I told him about my experience, and he passed the information along to his wife. The next time I saw him, I asked how the test went. He relayed a message from his wife: “That woman is crazy!!” She found the test to be quite painful and spent the rest of the day feeling poorly.
I have another friend who had the same test performed. Her experience was more like this other woman’s than mine. However, I also think that giving blood is no big deal while this friend of mine found it to be a painful experience.
Why was my experience different? I do not know for sure. Different people seem to have different levels of pain tolerance. I get weekly allergy shots, so shots are not a big deal to me. I joke that I am a walking pin cushion because I have had so many shots in my life. I do not even consider shots to be painful because I am so used to having them. However, other people would vehemently disagree, with my six-year-old son being at the top of the list!
So, I believe that your own level of pain tolerance will factor into how painful this test will be. Err on the side of caution and take the day off work. If it winds up not being a big deal, you can enjoy a well-deserved break.
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May 1st, 2009 at 12:42 am
Hi
Thanks for the details on the procedure.
I just had mine on Tuesday, I wasn’t at all worried, took my antibiotics the night and morning before, and took some painkillers 30 minutes before the exam.
But how painful was it!! I have never felt pain like that before, yes be it short-lived. When he asked me to move to the right, I was in so much pain, I couldn’t think what my right was. I couldn’t imagine over the counter drugs numbing that pain. I didn’t even see the screen, I was just concentrating on getting it done.
And like you, I consider myself to have a high pain tolerance.
Afterwards the doctor did an ultrasound, and then I bled a lot, first a rush of blood on the doctors bench, then bleeding that day and the morning after. So make sure to bring a pad.
The whole experience felt so violent and it was like a shock to my system, but I did return to work afterwards, the rest of the day felt like I’d period pains etc.
Anyway the good news is he said everything looked perfect down there, no blockages etc..
I guess everyone’s body is different, that is why infertility affects people in different ways and can be such an unknown.
Don’t be nervous after reading this, I think the majority of people find it ok, and maybe I am in the minority. At least if you do feel alot of pain, it is short-lived.
Best wishes to all you ladies
September 14th, 2009 at 4:05 am
hi
i wanna share my experience , ive been trying to get pregnant for about 8 months now, my doctor said that i had late ovulation so she put me on clomid for 4 months & duphaston as well as choriomon but with no luck, then she changed me into femara last month and asked me to do an HSG, by far it was the worst experience i have ever had!!! the pain was really unbarable,first the doctor spent 10 minutes trying to insert the speculum which was the begining of my pain, then when she injected the dye it was a pain that ive never experienced and when i got home the pain was persistant for the whole day,contineous cramping and i couldent even pee coz it was painful, and i also had fever for a short period so i took an antibiotic for that fearing from infection, anyway my tubes were perfectly open with no blockage and now im wondoring what to do else since nothing is wrong with me!! and my husband did his sperm test and it was ok, so anyone knows what the next step should be coz i really wanna have a baby so bad