Seeking Opinions from Others Who Have Been There...

I personally didn't think it was that bad, absolutely nothing compared to labor pains! Just some cramping. I took Motrin beforehand and it helped. Good luck.

M.- I don't know about the pain. But I had a friend who had this done after trying for years to get pregnant and she was pregnant within a few months after. Good luck.

I had this test done. It was not bad during the test but the entire next day I was in so much pain that I could not even go to work. I did return to work the following day. Good luck.

PS I had no blockages.

I had this done when we were trying to get pregnant with my son almost 5 years ago. I can honestly say it was a fairly painless procedure, both during and after. I had some mild discomfort during, while the dye was being injected. Afterwards, they'll have you remain lying down for a short while, but afterwards, I drove myself home and even managed to stop and pick up something to eat.

The only thing I will recommend is to take any pain medication that they prescribe both before and after. Also, just an FYI, some women DO get pregnant pretty quickly after this test is performed. Especially if even minimal blockage was part of the trouble you were having conceiving.

Good luck to you and your family. Hoping all the best for all of you!

Hi M.,

I had this same procedure done in 2006, when preparing myself for pregnancy. The nurse aides forgot to give me a pain pill before the procedure (yeah..they forgot), so I felt pain similiar to a very hard pinch. My doctor had no idea that I didn't get any meds and I didn't know that I was suppose to have any. The pain didn't last very long. If you can get a pain pill of some sort, you may not feel much of anything. The procedure was well worth it.

Hope This Helps

I had this done twice and both times thought it was only really uncomfortable for a minute or two, followed by minor cramps. Both times I went back to work afterwards, so it couldn't have been TOO bad!! Just make sure to take motrin before and after.

It's not bad, uncomfortable but not unbearable. Good luck with getting that new baby.

M.,
Yes....this is different for each person. For me, it was MORE painful than ANYTHING I've done in my life, including childbirth. Once it was done, though, the intense pain lessened. And I would say you can handle the rest of the day or so, going about your normal activities. Sore, but functioning fine. What you need to know is that while you cannot determine the pain of it while it it happening, you can DO something about it. Take some Ibuprofin before the test is done, as close to the time as you can. It will help to avoid most of the pain you might have experienced otherwise. I wish someone had told me about this before my test. I found out on Fertilty Friend afterwards. "Sigh."
My pain, hopefully your gain.
Praying that your test will go smoothy, and that there are no blockages shown. They say you can be more fertile for about 3 months after this test, as just the pressure of the dye alone can open parts of the tube that might be a little bit closed. It's not a sure thing, but it can help. Hope you get that little baby you want so dearly. Hugs.

Hi M.:
I had that done a few years ago...they were checking for blockage. It's very uncomfortable. They told me to take two Tylenol an hour before the procedure which I did but it did not help any. Once the dye goes through your tubes it's a really sharp cramping pain. Once the test was done I had minor cramping for the remainder of the day and by the next day I was fine. You will be fine! It's just uncomfortable and not a very plesant experience but it's over in about 10 minutes! Good luck.

They told me that also, but I didn't find it that painful, just a kind of warm burning cramp for about a minute. that was it. hope this helps...

It is an uncomfortable feeling. First it is typically day 3 so that whole part of it made me uncomfortable and then the pressure is painful....but lasts no more than a minute and then it is gone. Well worth it for the reason! A friend of mine just had it done and I had warned her. She was glad her hubby went with her.

I had this same thing done a few years back and was told the same thing. However, for me the pain was intense, and I already had two kids and knew what to expect. But that's just me. You might get through the procedure with nothing more than a light cramp. It only lasts a few moments, just long enough for the dye to make it through and the technician to capture images. It really is a great tool when checking for tumors or blockage in the tubes.

M.,
I had this test done a few years ago and will be going to have it again soon. For me, it was horribly painful. It stands out more to me then labor with my daughter. Maybe it is just because I was expecting labor to be painful. I too was told by many that it was just like cramps, no big deal and I totally disagreed. I regretted not having my husband take me after I had the procedure. For me, it was a sharp shooting pain that only lasted a short time but it was long enough. I thought for sure I had blocked tubes because of the pain but they were clear. I was able to finally get pregnant 3 months later.
Hopefully your experience will be easier than mine. Just know it is different for everyone and could be painful. Wishing you the best!

For me it was just uncomfortable, no sharp or severe pains. I did feel a little pinching while they manuvered in there, but again nothing unbearable. It was no where near the experience of contractions for me. Contractions were WAYYYYYY worse!!! Good luck.

I had an HSG done in April. I won't lie...It is very uncomfortable, but it doesn't take very long. I would make sure to have someone to drive you home afterward; I had some cramping. And be sure to bring a pad to wear; there can be spotting and you may leak some of the dye.
FYI: My doctor found a blockage in one of my fallopian tubes during my HSG, which she told me can frequently be cleared up following an HSG. I became pregnant two weeks later and I am now expecting my third child in January! Don't give up hope - I know that is easy to say, but just try to stay positive!

I had cramping with this procedure. It felt very much like menstrual cramps - twisty and hot. Nothing horrible, but it was uncomfortable. It only lasted a few minutes - it doesn't take long for the dye to travel through the tubes. I can't remember if I was allowed to take some Motrin prior to the procedure to take the edge off... you might want to ask your doctor if this is permitted.

Are you refering to the hystrosalpingogram? I though it was just as bad as my normal day 1 worst period cramping, and was very managable with tylenol. Ask before you go if you can take a tylenol before the test, then plan on another one about 4 hours later. I'd say it'd be 99.9% gone within 12 hours or so of the test; definitely the next morning.

(I had so many tests done in my day, I don't remember if this is the one with dye or not!)

Hi M.,

I had this same procedure done almost 9 years ago. It was pretty uncomfortable, but tolerable. You will want to rest afterwards for most of the day. It wasn't screaming pain, but not pleasant either. I now have beautiful twins (boy/girl) that are almost 8. Good luck!

C. S.

Hi M., I am currently going through fertility testing too and have had this procedure done. It was not painful just uncomfortable when I had it done. I wouldn't worry about it. Just take some ibuprofin before you go if you are worried. So I see you already have a child, did you have testing with her? I ask because I have had 2 children perfectly fine with no problems, but now we want just one more and we have been working with a fertility doc for a year now!

For me it wasn't bad at all. A little uncomfortable during the test and then cramping like a period the next day. I am sure everyone is different but I wouldn't stress too much about it!

I would have to say everyone is different.. My friend had the test done and said it was no big deal.

I had it done and I thought it hurt pretty bad when they did the test..but it is pretty quick and then it is over.. but my uterus was sore afterwards.. for the next 24-48 hours my uterus felt sore.. if my bladder got full and it put pressure on my utereus it hurt.. not bad just a dull ache.. I also experienced the same pain after my amnios.. my uterus was sore..

also you do need a pad afterward as thee dye they put in has to come out.. you might want to take 2 advil before the test...

I had this test done on march 23 and I got pregnant on march 30... they think it "cleans out he cobwebs"

I remember it was hard to schedule the test as they wanted to do the test the first 10 days of your cycle to make sure that you were not pregnant.. but you couldn't be on your period when they di the test.. so there were about 3 or 4 days when they could do the test..

I had this done before my first child. It wasn't that bad for me, I would describe it more like cramps compared to contractions.

Some people actually are helped by this procedure fertility-wise, although they have not explanation for it. I was lucky to have one egg a month with drugs, but after having this I conceived.

M.,

I took 600mg of aleve or naproxin sodium. That was my prescription strength when I had alot of cramping with my endometriosis. Take it about 1 hour before the procedure as it sometimes takes that long to really work.

It is uncomfortable but NOTHING like labor pains. And once they're done with the procedure, you can tell something happened but you won't be down for the day or anything. If anything it would be a mild discomfort occasionally during the day but the aleve really took care of it for me.

The first time I had the HSG done they said to take a couple tylenol. That was ridiculous! Go for the heavy stuff if you have it! LOL! :o)

It's so hard going through the infertility stuff. I really feel for you. I just said a prayer for you! Take heart, This will give you some answers. I have two beautiful boys 5 & 7 after years of struggling. Don't lose your faith!

:o) G.