HSG Test

[Praying2BAMom]

My hubby and I have been TTC for a little over a year now ... we recently started seeing a specialist and I'm scheduled to have an HSG test in the next couple of weeks.
Has anyone ever been through this test? If so, I would love to hear about it. I'm a bit nervous.

[in_His_hands]

I would love to hear the answers to this too...we've been trying for a year and go to see my dr. next month. I've been trying to read up on all the usual tests so I know what to expect. I've heard this one can be somewhat uncomfortable/painful for some people. Anyone have an experience to share?

[praywhensad] that you would be able to get some answers soon!

God bless.

[Praying2BAMom]

in_His_hands, it looks like we're in the same boat. Good luck with your dr.'s appointment next month.
Our first visit to the specialist was just this past Monday ... my husband provided his "sample" on Thursday and everything is fine with him. So, now we're focusing on the HSG test.
I've done lots of research and it does sound like there may be some pain involved BUT I'm hoping the end result of all of this testing will be well worth it!!
Anyway, good luck! :lol:

[4HisGlory]

Praying for you both. I don't have any experience with that test but I just wanted you both to know I will be praying for you both.

[Praying2BAMom]

savedNgrace, Thank you SO much for the prayers! I really appreciate it!!

[EvaS]

I've never had this done, but I had a friend who had it done and she said that it wasn't as painful as she thought it was going to be. She did have some cramping for several days afterward, I think sort of like period cramps. I'll be praying for you and the test.

[Aussie]

Hi guys - again, I'm in the same boat as you...now TTC for just over a year. FRUSTRATING isn't it??!! :wink:

I have actually had a HSG recently and it really wasn't bad at all. Of course I do think that the Gynecologist you have doing it makes a big difference and my Gyno is fantastic. Just some mild discomfort when the saline is actually infused (a few bursts each lasting a couple of seconds) and then I had very mild period-like cramps for about 10 minutes afterwards. I also took ibuprufen (anti-inflammatory) and a buscopan (antispasmodic) about 1 hour prior to the procedure [not sure if you call those drugs the same thing, but that's what we have in Australia]. It is actually recommended that you take a buscopan prior as this acts on smooth muscle, like your tubes, and therefore decreases the chance of "tubal spasm" (which if they spasm would make them appear as if they were blocked, when they actually may not be), plus it also decreases discomfort.

Sorry a bit of a longer reply than I intended!! Anyway - main thing is that its really nothing to worry about...and the reality is that at least it's another step in the right direction on our quest to become moms!! [prayer]

[Praying2BAMom]

Thanks for your informative reply, Aussie!
I'm glad to hear it may not be as painful as I first thought!!
After the HSG, have you had any other testing? I'm curious as to what comes after that ...
Good luck with TTC!!!

[breezykc2]

Had this done and found out my right tube is blocked....It was more painful than childbirth to me! They said it's more painful if there IS a blockage....brutal. Just being honest with you, be prepared for major pain....and I did labor without drugs two times.....I think the adrenaline boost in childbirth helps with the pain and there's none there for the HSG test......ask for your hubby to be there! You can Mandate he be present at least to view, that was comforting to me.

[JRBL]

I actually had this done and didn't feel anything but some mild cramping. I took prescription strength ibuprofen or motrin and didn't feel hardly anything... I *DO* have a high tolerance for pain, though... I have had three of my four naturally *AND* with pitocin and to me, personally, those births were painful but not horrible. (also, I had this done before I had any children) This is definitely one of those things that's different for everyone.

I, personally, did NOT feel horribly uncomfortable through it and found it absolutely fascinating to watch!!! it was incredible! By the way, I had no blockages and got pregnant directly afterwards... I have read (and my doctor told me) that sometimes (for some people) women get pregnant after having this done, that it just seems to "clean things out of the way". I don't know about all that but, for me, it was true.

[breezykc2]

Yes, I too have a high pain tolerance, so birth wasn't as bad for me either I don't think!! Like I said....they said I had so much more pain than normal due to having a permanent blockage and that stope the dye from moving through and the blockage is the painful part!!
My other friend had this done and experienced minor pain and period like cramping a couple of days after.....
I think those examples are a lot more typical!
TOTALLY not trying to scare you! ....I also had a nasty doc who was irritated he was even there, so that probably didn't help either!

[Aussie]

Praying2BAMom - next step for me is a laparoscopy and dye studies. The HSG about 4 months ago showed both tubes apparently open and good to go...but no luck so far! DH's boys are all functional and blood tests show that I'm ovulating....hmmmmm......!!

I have the lap & dye studies next month and then we will likely start IVF a month or two after that..?July/August-ish The lap & dye is really just a formality - everyone who is going to have IVF has to have one for "completeness". Don't think the lap will show anything really, maybe some endometriosis, but there's not much you can really do about endometriosis anyway. Often it's the most minimal endometriosis that causes fertility problems.

So yeah, not really looking forward to having a team of 15 or so strangers trying to get me pregnant! It's all a bit weird - my husband and I were laughing about the thought of it the other day - a far cry from a romantic evening with a bottle of wine, but again - whatever it takes! Of course.....that still leaves at least 3-4 cycles between now and then that I may get a BFP in and then won't need all this stuff....bring on the bhcg!

Anyway - Praying2BAMom - what's your plans from here? When is your HSG? Have you had any other investigations, used Clomid etc etc?
Praying for ya heaps!! Hoping we both get lucky before too much more poking and proding!

[Praying2BAMom]

Aussie,

Thanks so for much for your message. It really is good to know I'm not the only person going through all this fertility treatment.

Our first visit with the specialist was last Monday. They tested my hubby last Thursday and his boys are just fine. That was a relief.

Since we just started seeing the specialist, I haven't had any test yet. But I am scheduled to have blood work three days after my period starts, which should be the end of this week. Then several days after my period ends, I will have the HSG test. According to the doctor, if all goes well with the HSG test, I will be put on Clomid.

Aussie, how long have you and your hubby been TTC? I wish you two the best of luck!! My prayers are with you!! Keep me posted on the laparoscopy.

Take care!

[Praying2BAMom]

Well, I had the HSG test done two days ago -- The test went very well BUT it hurt like I never imagined it would. Oh my gosh, it hurt!!!
I screamed, cried and probably broke a few of the nurse's fingers. But, the good news is that I survived it.
Anyway, the test consisted of the doctor inserting a small tube into the cervix and a small balloon was inflated, opening the area up. The doctor then injected a small amount of dye through the cervix to see if there were any obstructions in the fallopian tubes. It was the most painful thing I have ever experienced in my entire life.
The doctor said my left tube was very clearly "healthy and beautiful" but it was hard to tell about the right tube which may have been spasming but no blockage was visible ...
Since this test often times flushes out the tubes and makes women more fertile for several cycles after the test is over, my doctor suggested we keep TTC for the next couple of months without medication. Every test they have done (on hubby and me) has come back with great results ... so we'll keep trying for a couple more months with hopes of conceiving. In the meantime, I'm going to try not to go nuts....the waiting is SO hard.
If nothing happens by July, I'm going back for a meeting with the doctor to determine our next step.
Anyway, I would really appreciate lots of prayer right now - It's so frustrating hearing that nothing is wrong with me but every month AF comes right on time --- ARGH!!!

[JRBL]

Praying for your BFP very soon!!!!

[Praying2BAMom]

Thank you! I appreciate it!! :)

[breezykc2]

You can be cycling on time...and not ovulating....I'd be sure to keep a good record of temps and discharge so if you do go back in July, you can show them the patterns! Helps them a lot to know where to go from there....I've run the fertility gauntlet, so good luck! Hoping you don't need anything more than that dye test to prep your body and help those swimmers find the egg of their dreams! :lol:

[in_His_hands]

I was just re-reading this thread because my HSG is next Thursday. Praying2Bamom, did they tell you why it was so painful for you if there was no blockage? Could it be caused by the tubes spasming? The info I got from my dr. said they may numb the cervix with an anesthetic--sounds like they didn't do that in your case. I'm a total wimp when it comes to pain (I have no idea how I'm going to get through childbirth if it ever happens!) so I'm wondering if I should have DH come along. Thanks for any advice you have!