[Jackie5]

I have to share my story - getting my HSG was probably the most painful thing I've experienced outside of childbirth, and maybe more painful than pulling my back (probably equally painful) but definitely more painful than dry sockets.

I think what I had going for me was the following:

1) Technique of the radiologist - this was at a managed care facility before I went on to my fertility specialist so I can't vouch for the dude's ability.
2) Expectations. My regular gynecologist (he was a guy and I don't go to him anymore) said that I "might experience a little discomfort" when I asked him if it was painful. So I wasn't expecting it to hurt and I didn't take any pain meds. For this kind of pain, I don't think Advil would do it, I would ask for some Percocet.
3) Blocked Tubes. I had blocked tubes but they didn't know it until the HSG. If you do a little research, you'll find out that for women with blocked tubes, the procedure can be very painful since the dye doesn't go out as quickly as it would if your tubes were okey-dokey.

That said, I can say that the pain was temporary and after I had changed back into my street clothes, just felt like a period cramp and not the worst kind of cramp but I felt kind of shocky from the pain and didn't go back to work like I had planned. Instead I went home and curled up into bed. I also chastised my gynocologist when I next saw him. I think maybe he should go thru something similar (any ideas?) before he starts telling people what to expect!!

I hope this helps you. If you're worried about the pain- make sure you're with a doctor who is 100% behind you and supports you - your fertility quest is hard enough without being needlessly painful. If you like novocaine when you get your teeth drilled, then I don't think you'll want to sit thru this sans pain medication. Just MHO.

Good luck and tell us what happens!

[SDunnBrown]

I had read all about the procedure before I had mine done. I got so nervous and rushed that day I forgot to take any pain killers. I thought it was very painful and uncomfortable. As soon as it was over the doc didn't let me lay on the table to recover so i had to get up and walk out in pain. They wouldn't let my husband in the room either. I cried the whole way home. But after I got home and took some painkillers I was ok.

[slobin]

I literally felt NO pain. I felt the speculum and that was it! so obviously it's different for each person.

[KariKae]

Sorry to be a downer, but I thought it was the most painful thing I've been through yet. Nobody told me to take a pain med before so maybe it would have helped! They told me it would be "a little uncomfortable". HOLY SNIEKEES!!!! IT HURT!!!!
Again, sorry to be a downer. Take as much medicine as they will let you!

[cgw]

I work in a Radiology department where they do HSG's. I myself am not a tech but most of my co-workers are. I asked one of them that does the procedure to explain it to me in detail because I am also getting ready to have one. She said that the doctor inserts a speculum (just as during a regular PAP) and then he has these tong like things that he inserts into the vagina and grabs hold of the uterus. While he/she is holding the uterus the dye/contrast is injected. Sometimes the uterus needs to be moved around a little to get the contrast/dye to flow. This is probably the varying part that makes it painful for some and not painful for others. I would say that those who have to have their uterus moved around with the tongs probably have more pain than those who just get injected with the contrast/dye and then they're done.

Again, I'm no professional but I asked my friend a lot of questions because I'm a HUGE baby.

GOOD LUCK!

[wallace1]

It does hurt but you will live through it. It's worth it.