Ladies-have you had a Hysterosalpingogram? What was it like?

[floridafam]

Have you had this special type of x-ray?

Was it quick? Painless?

I'd love to know how long it took and any other details you care to share.

Thanks in advance

 

[Snowysmom]

I had two, many years ago. It takes maybe 30 minutes from start to finish. The procedure itself is somewhat uncomfortable but not real painful. I did have some cramping afterwards and took some advil. I have heard from others who have had it done that if there is a blockage in the tube, it can be painful from the pressure of the dye going in. It was interesting to see the x-rays as they were doing the procedure. I think the position you are in and the feeling of "everything flapping in the breeze" is more uncomfortable than the actual procedure. For my second time, I took some advil before the test and that helped alot with the cramping.

 

[RadioFanatic]

I had one last August and it was the most painful thing I have experienced - I had a blocked fallopian tube which ended up being removed. So, my understanding is that, if you have no blockage, it's merely uncomfortable, but if you have blockage it hurts really bad. I would recommend bringing someone with you. I didn't b/c i thought it wasn't any big deal and really wished I had my dh with me b/c it was hard driving myself home.

 

[floridafam]

I was thinking it wasn't going to be painful.

I know (I hope) that both of my tubes will be blocked. I just had the Essure procedure (permanent birth control) done and this is a routine part of the follow up. It checks to make sure the tubes are blocked.

I guess I'll take some Advil when the time comes.

Thank you for the replies.

 

[mickeyboat]

I had one 8 years ago. My tubes were not blocked, but it was painful. I would not have been able to drive home because the cramping afterwards was so bad. I was in tears after the procedure, and could barely stand up straight.

They injected some oil after the dye, after some research indicated it could help speed things up a little bit. I wonder if that led to the cramping, not so much from the dye.

Good luck to you.

Denae

 

[Disney-Kim]

I would ask for something more than advil...to take during.

 

[LBAK]

I took Advil before I went. The dr. told me it would be painful if there was a blockage because they would try to shoot the blockage out. In you're case they're not going to want to do that so they will just use a contrast to see that it is totally blocked. It was just a little uncomfortable for me, nothing that I couldn't handle. Good luck and think positive!

 

[ZachnElli]

I had it done a few years ago and it hurt really bad for about 2 seconds. No cramping afterward, but some spotting. I did not have any blockage and have heard also, if there is a blockage it hurts alot more.

 

[skiwee1]

I had one years ago and it was very crampy. VERY. Cramping stopped afterwards though it seemed like an eternity at the time they were performing the test.

 

[floridafam]

Wow.

I guess I should plan on it being a little worse than I thought.

 

[CEDmom]

I've had it done twice and it wasn't too bad. You will feel some cramping type pain so I'd recommend taking Advil about 1/2 hour before your procedure. It doesn't take too long for the actual procedure - maybe 15-20 minutes. Good luck and try as best as you can to relax.

 

[tinaluis]

I took 3 Advil before the procedure (and then ended up taking 3 more because my doctor was running late and I was worried about pain) and it wasn't any more painful than a normal period. Good luck!

 

[bigbabyblues]

I had one attempted about 6 years ago, and it was very painful, but they never actually got it done. My uterus was tilted and they were never actually able to get the cath in. I did cramp alot afterwards, and I had really bad hot-flash type experience on the way home, it was NOT a hot flash, but I got really, really hot, and it lasted for about 2 hours. It was January and there were three inches of snow on the ground, but we drove home with the windows down anyway. I did not have anything before or during the test for pain, not until I got home. My SIL is a radiology tech and she has helped with several of these tests and she said most people have cramping, but it's not usually as bad as my experience.

Definitely take something before you go, and good luck. My new (former already) OB was trying to push me into the Essure, but after I heard about the HSG part of it I refused.

 

[SamRoc]

I also had this procedure done a few years ago. Had cramping too but nothing I couldnt handle. I had delivered a 10 lb baby a few years earlier naturally so this test wasn't too bad for me. I had this test to see if there was a blockage as I couldn't get pregnant, well right after that test, not exactly right after,but I got pregnant about 2 months later and was thrilled.I had tried many other things before this and it took 4 years before I had my daughter but this test was the only thing that worked, so for me it had great results. Good luck!

 

[floridafam]

bigbabyblues,

I guess they are working on some other way to test the success of the Essure procedure. The Essure procedure itself was wonderful!

samroc,

I did read that a lot of women experience a jump in fertility after the HSG because it kind of "flushes things out."

I've got a few months before I have to have it done so I gues I won't worry too much.

 

[bigbabyblues]

I think it would be great if they could find another way to test the Essure. Like I said, I think my trouble with the HSG was extreme to the side of awful pain, and now that I've had two kids, it may not be as bad, but I'm not willing to try yet. Glad to hear the procedure for the Essure wasn't bad, that was another concern of this chicken.

 

[Boo'sMom]

I had one 9 years ago...very painful....

but the pain didn't last beyond the procedure...once the xray was done, I felt fine.


AND I got p/g the very next month

 

[Disney Doll]

I've had two. I recall some cramping and discomfort, but not pain, per se. It was pretty quick.

 

[SamRoc]

floridafam, thats exactly what happened! My doc tried alot of other things, testing my husband, antibiotics, sonograms, but this test really did the trick. If there was a blockage in there, this test removed it and then I got pregnant right away. I was thrilled to find out the good news as I waited 4 years to have my daughter, now she is 16 and my son is 20.

 

[lovetheparks]

I've had it done 3 times and it hurt all 3 times. I would highly suggest taking 800mg motrin about 1/2 hour before. This was actually recommended by our RE.

Also I think someone mentioned that you are really fertile after. After 7 years of trying I got pg directly after my (2nd) HSG but ironically it was ectopic thus the need for the 3rd one.

Good Luck!