What happens during an HSG (uterine X-ray), and how much does it hurt?
Personal experiences, not medical advice
55 women took part in the conversations this summary is based on · from 2 communities
What came up in the conversations?
For most women in the community the HSG hurt, but was bearable and the pain does go away rather quickly — 'not pleasant, but not terrible' — though not for everyone: one woman described severe pain, coming close to fainting, and needing to stay at the hospital to rest. Three women reported that with a painkiller taken in advance the pain was reasonable — an intense but momentary sensation that passes quickly — and some went through the test more than once without apprehension. The difference, as the conversations suggest, depends on personal pain threshold and the state of the uterus — the exact same test can feel completely different from woman to woman. Two things came up again and again in the conversation: a painkiller before the test changes the experience, and the pain — even when strong — is short and passing. The conversation also raised the option of having the test done as hydrosonography (a saline-infusion ultrasound), which is considered less painful — worth asking your doctor whether it suits your case.
“I've had two, and honestly there's nothing to be afraid of — I wouldn't call it pleasant, but it's not terrible”
PCOS community
“I had it done twice and for me it was completely fine, it didn't hurt at all”
PCOS community
“In the end I went after taking painkillers — and guess what, it wasn't bad at all. I won't say it's pleasant, but the momentary pain passed.”
PCOS community
“I swore that even if it means giving up on having children, I am never doing that again. EVER. I came close to fainting from the pain and had to stay at the hospital for a while to rest.”
Fertility community
How did experiences differ?
The main difference was pain intensity: most women described bearable, passing pain — some after a painkiller taken in advance, and some went through the test more than once without apprehension — while one woman described severe pain, coming close to fainting, and needing to stay at the hospital to rest. In the conversations this was linked to personal pain threshold and the state of the uterus.
What should you ask a doctor?
Can I take a painkiller before the test, and which one?
Is hydrosonography suitable in my case instead of a standard HSG?
What should I prepare for on the day of the test and afterwards?
In brief
A painkiller before the test — the advice that came up most in the conversations
Even when the pain is strong — it is momentary and passes
The experience depends on personal pain threshold and the state of the uterus — no comparing between women
Hydrosonography is considered a less painful alternative — worth asking your doctor whether it suits you
No one in the conversation has yet described what hydrosonography — the alternative considered less painful — felt like. If you have been through it, you can add your experience.
