My HSG experience

[FakeHappy]

Hi all

Before my hsg last Friday I did a lot of research (aka reading every account I could find online), which mostly included horror stories so i was really freaked out about mine and in fact had been dreading it for ages. My experience was not as bad as i expected so I wanted to share it for anyone else who is in the same situation.

I checked in at the reception desk in the xray department with over half an hour to go before my appointment time and was then send down the corridor to 'special procedures' which did little to help my anxiety!

A lovely nurse gave me a gown (and dressing gown which was a godsend - why on earth do gowns have a split down the back showing my bum?). Trying to make light of the situation i posed for quick photo taken by DH before being whisked off to another room with a nurse explaining what I'm in for - as if I hadn't done hours of research!!

Then it was straight off to the xray room itself with another, really lovely, nurse, a radiographer and a trainee. They get me comfortable-ish on the bed with a pillow under my head and one under my (bare) bum as the dressing gown was just too much combined with my nervous sweating.

The radiologist comes in and kindly puts a sheet with a strategically placed hole over my lower half 'on the count of three' as i lift up my gown.

She puts the speculum in, which i never find comfortable, before feeding the catheter through my cervix. Cue more sweating and the kind nurse holding my hand. I had a fairly unpleasant stabbing pain in my pelvis so although I'd fully intended to watch the image on the screen, I closed my eyes and tried to breathe deeply and remain calm, all the time waiting for when it *really* hurts.

She starts pushing the dye in and it hurts a bit more, i definitely gave the nurses hand a big squeeze but no tears, screaming or unbearable pain like I'd imagined!

Before I know it, all the pain has gone and Its over. I don't even remember her removing the catheter or speculum but went light headed after, and started crying! I think my blood pressure dropped with the relief after all the adrenaline that had been coursing through my body!

They told me the dye went straight through, my tubes were clear and let me lay down for a bit until i felt better. I couldn't believe it was over so quick and definitely didn't hurt as bad as i expected. I don't think I have a very high pain threshold and was soo tense which didn't help but it was fine.

No leakage or bleeding after (well until I had sex 2 days later) and no cramps either. All the staff were so caring, it really wasn't as bad as I anticipated - so if you have a hsg coming up hopefully this will help you stay a little calmer than I did!

[Hidden]

So good you posted this - I read lots online before my hsg and had myself worked into a right state! 😄

Was very quick and pain for only a few seconds.

Wish I had not worried so much.

Xxx

[FakeHappy in reply to Hidden]

Yes me too - not as bad as i expected! The nurses were honest with me and said some ladies fine it v painful, some nothing at all and some in between. So relieved. Glad yours went well 😊

[Lilli79]

So good of you to post this, I had one last year and you'd think reading some of the stories online that it was like having major surgery or something! I have a relatively high pain threshold and it was no worse than a smear test for me. I went by myself, left by myself and got the bus home after. The nurses were super and made sure I was ok throughout and after the procedure.

[Redrum1984]

I have one booked for the 30th of this month. I believe if the tubes are blocked or prehaps swollen for some reason then it may well be excruciating for some women particularly if they try to push the dye through to try to flush out the tube. My tubes are almost certainly blocked, either that or my uterus is very scarred. Im terrified but it needs to be done and I will try my best to relax so I dont spasm up there. Just want my results. 😔 Waited years for this.

[FakeHappy in reply to Redrum1984]

Oh bless you. What makes you think your tubes are blocked? It was all over very quickly so even if it is painful I'm sure it'll be over very soon xx

[Redrum1984 in reply to FakeHappy]

I have secondary infertility. All blood test results are normal. Been unable to conceive since the birth of my daughter 12 years ago. Had left over placenta after birth which caused me to haemorrhage blood. The doctor put her hands up my uterus to remove the placenta which is believed to have caused scar tissue (the most painful and horrific pain i have ever experienced in my entire life). My boyfriend also cheated and gave me chlamydia so that doesn't help either. However they've yet to confirm if it definetly is scar tissue and hopefully the HSG will confirm the problem.