HealthUnlocked will undergo site maintenance on 8th April 2025 from 11:30AM (BST) / 6:30AM (EDT) for a few hours. We aim to restore the full service as soon as possible. Learn more
I went for my HSG today and I was absolutely hysterical, I found it extremely uncomfortable and couldn't calm myself. The doctor decided we could not continue😢
If I am this pathetic with this procedure how am I ever going to handle anything else. Plus l don't think my fertility doctor will want to know until there is no question mark regarding my tubes. Has anyone heard of doing the procedure under anaesthetic?
I feel helpless, I'm so teary and feel hopeless.
Hi Macavela. So sorry to hear that you had such a rotten time with the HSG. Try not to repair, you're not the first and you won't be the last to suffer like this. You need to ask for some extra sedation e.g. Midazolam. Also ask your GP for something too, to take an hour beforehand, to relax you. You can have an anaesthetic, but that is usually when the procedure is combined with a laparoscopy. Midazolam was fine with most of my ladies, so don't despair, there will be a way round it. It will delay any treatment cycle, but you need to be investigated properly before proceeding. Good luck and I shall be thinking of you. Diane
Thank you for replying Diane. I had 2 injections about half an hour before the HSG (not sure if thats the same as the UK) was told it was for pain relief. I think it's my mind that is the worst. I cannot do it again, I think I would freak out even more a 2nd time. I'm absolutely fine when I have a smear test done, I didn't expect to react so badly.
Hi. That's a shame, if you had a proper sedative, I feel sure you would cope. Hope all stil goes well for you, with whatever is decided. Diane
Diane do you think I should take the antibiotics still that I was given prior to the HSG? I think I probably should, thank you! 😙
Hi. Definitely, just in case there is a mild infection that could easily be cleared up. Diane
Don't feel like that there maybe a medical explanation for why you were in pain more than most women. I had HSG years ago and I was wincing in agony. It turned out I have endometriosis . Yes there is a way to have this done being under- its called a laparoscopy and dye test. It is considered gold standard for tubal assessments also unlike the HSG can detect any other abnormalities such as endometriosis that other tests wouldn't show. In march I had the choice- private IVF, HSG, or laparoscopy and dye +- ovarian drilling/ and looking for/treating endometriosis. I went for the lap. It was the best decision we made I am now 5 weeks pregnant. Big hugs being sent your way xoxo
Thank you jess1981! Congratulations on your pregnancy💛 I don't know how far the doctor got, felt like an eternity and there was dye under me when I got up. I was proper sobbing, out of control. I will look into the laparoscopy, the HSG is a dead end for me 😟
My hsg failed and so I had a lap and dye. I had to wait months though. I went through a private round of ivf in the meantime but have since learned that Fallopian tube problems can cause ivf to fail so I would not necessarily recommend that, also having ivf then delayed my lap further as I couldn't do the first appointment they offered due to being part way through ivf cycle.
I have had sedation for embryo transfers on both rounds so I don't have to remember the experience, but I've been fine with internal ultrasound scans which don't go through your cervix... well, I say fine, I had to take my mum with me for the first one, and I always take paracetamol beforehand and warn the nurses that I find it hard!
Thank you. Bless you that is horrible. Exactly how mine was. Just say to the consultant you would prefer a laparoscopy. It is surgery but it isn't as scary as it sounds! You rest up because I felt very tired for a few days after mine. I hope you feel better soon xoxo
You're going to make such a lovely mum! Thank you😚😚
Hi, I've had it done and it is uncomfortable but we all feel it in different ways. Are you going to try again xx
Hi Kelly-03! Right now I feel like trying again is impossible, I feel like I would freak out more now that I have a better idea of what is coming🙈 even if I wanted to I don't think I could stay calm enough for a doctor to go ahead with it. You're tougher than me, as I think everyone is!💪
Don't let yourself believe that... it doesn't hurt everyone as much. For me, my cervix is retroverted and was very tight (I've had it dilated as part of my lap). My hsg failing was not because I was weaker than other people and neither was yours. Other people are luckier and physically different too.
Hi,
I had the same problem a couple of years ago. In the end the hospital had to do a laparscopy (keyhole surgery). It was fine and I was asleep. Recovery for me was only a couple of days, but it depends on your body. Good Luck !
Hello ditsy999! Comforting to hear it's not just me! Sound advice from you and jess1981, going to see if it's possible with our provided health care. Going to look into into privately to to save time. I'm on school holidays just (teacher) and the more I can get done just now the better.
I was the same found it horrendous and passed out. They didn't offer any sedation before hand at my clinic. Good luck if you try again. xx
Your not on your own lovely, I was referred for a lap and dye as I couldn't tolerate the procedure. I also recently had a smear and my GP prescribed me some diazepam to take before hand which did help take the edge off. Main thing is that your comfortable x
Cute doggy in your pic Shanks_21! I'm relieved to hear people have found a way around the dreaded HSG, I'm going to see a GP tonight, going to explain and fingers crossed he will refer me for the lap. Did the diazepam help with the smear? I had a smear last week and I was absolutely fine, I'm a complete baby with needles but I thought I would be ok for the HSG, which makes me think A. I've got an extremely low pain freshhold or B. Something is wrong for it to of been so painful.
The diazepam did take the edge off it definitely helped. Im due to start my first round of IVF a bit later this month and I had a conversation with the hospital about finding these things uncomfortable and they said they can do a mock transfer to see if my cervix is difficult to open or if it's my anxiety that makes it harder - there's a possibility it could be something that's wrong but nothing they can work around x
Shanks ask if they'll give you gas and air (entonox) when they do the trial... helps reduce anxiety.
Thanks sweet I'm going to try and speak to the hospital before I start treatment to try and get this sorted as it's the only thing that's concerning me now x
You're not the only one who struggled with the hsg test...I wasn't expecting much pain as I didn't have endo but omg....as soon as the procedure started...the agony! I've never felt pain like it!! I was climbing up the bed saying "ooh that's a bit uncomfortable!" (I'm not one to make a fuss lol) Anyway straight after, the pain ceased. Great! I thought. But oh no...roughly 1 hour later when I was in a restaurant for lunch, the pain came back with a vengeance. We had to leave mid course and come home. I ended up on every pain killer under the sun (thanks to a wonderful pharmacist) but still spent all night not being able to sit or lie down...Basically all I could do was stand rocking from side to side for hours whilst my insides contracted...it was horrendous! I always said if I had to through that again for ivf I wouldn't bother! Sorry if this doesn't make you feel better. I suppose what I'm trying to say is we all feel and cope with things differently...and I certainly get why you wouldn't want to do it again xxx
PS - I don't mean to scare anyone still to go through this. I believe mine was a more extreme reaction than most and I'm no wimp!
OMG Oakey80! So sorry you went through that, sounds horrendous! Your comment actually makes me feel better, if you rate HSG as one of the sorest (is that a word?😄) points on this journey then bring on the rest!💪
Good luck with your pregnancy, I am crossing everything for you that ypur next scan will bring reassuring news🤞🤞💜
Hi I had this done last month under anesthesia.
I really struggled with my endometrial biopsy and had to stop mid way. So I knew this would be difficult. It was a little complex to arrange but it can be done!!
My Dr. Said some women just spasm and suffer extreme pain when it comes to their cervix.
Don't panic, just insist on having anesthesia.
Good luck !!
Believe me this procedure is the worst part of the whole ivf procedure. I found it very uncomfortable, you can have something stronger for the next time. The nurses in my clinic told me that they went to watch a HSG being performed. They wanted to understand why it was so uncomfortable.....well they do now.
This whole journey has its ups and downs don't dispare you will be ready next time. Good luck xx
Hello .
Sorry you had a hard time with the hsg . Your not a failiure . This journey and the tests can get very challenging and emotional . Your not pathetic you are brave and courageous for going through this journey . They may book you in again for another attempt and there may be a chance to under anesthetic xx
HSG DONE!
HSG booked
So disappointed ☹️ 
Had a HSG and feeling very hopeful 😊
