Is it normal to have pain after hsg

In other words, the HSG showed a normal uterine shape, but a hysteroscopy showed abnormalities. Also, endometriosis can't be diagnosed with an HSG. Only an exploratory laparoscopy can rule out or diagnose endometriosis. If the dye shows an abnormally shaped uterus, or if the dye does not flow freely from the fallopian tubes, there may be a problem. The blockage appears to be right where the fallopian tube and uterus meet. If this happens, the doctor may repeat the test another time or order a different test to confirm.

An HSG can show that the tubes are blocked, but it can't explain why. Your doctor may order further testing, including exploratory laparoscopy or a hysteroscopy. These procedures can both help investigate the issue and possibly correct the problem.

An HSG is a generally safe procedure. Still, there many people are concerned about safety and potential risks of an HSG test. This is more common if you've already had an infection or you're at risk for pelvic inflammatory disease PID. If you have a history of PID, sexually transmitted infection, or abdominal surgery such as an appendectomy , your doctor may prescribe antibiotics for the procedure as an extra precaution.

Another risk is fainting during or after the test. If you feel dizzy after the exam, tell your doctor. It may be better for you to remain lying down until you feel less woozy. A rare but potentially serious risk is iodine allergy. If you are allergic to iodine or shellfish, tell your doctor before the test.

If you have any itching or swelling after the test, tell your doctor. Usually, when you have an x-ray, the first thing the technician does is cover your pelvic area. During an HSG, the x-ray is aimed right at the pelvis. Be reassured that an HSG involves a very low amount of radiation. It has not been found to cause any unwanted effects, even if you get pregnant later that cycle.

However, an HSG should not be done during pregnancy. If you think you may be pregnant, tell your doctor before you have the test. It's okay to feel nervous before and during an HSG exam.

Deep, relaxed breathing through the procedure can help. Also don't be afraid to tell the nurse or doctor that you're nervous. The nurse may even offer to hold your hand. Accept their support, which really can help you feel better.

Overall, the procedure is quick, and for some it's completely painless. If you will feel pain, in most cases it's short-lived and light. Alert your doctor if this isn't the case, and they will take quick steps to relieve pressure and pain as quickly as possible.

Before your exam, also ask if your doctor recommends taking a painkiller. Get diet and wellness tips to help your kids stay healthy and happy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Updated August UCLA Health. Recurrent pregnancy loss. Bradley LD, Falcone T. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellFamily. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data.

We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. Table of Contents View All. Table of Contents. Before the Test. A hysterosalpingogram or HSG is an x-ray procedure used to see whether the fallopian tubes are patent open and if the inside of the uterus uterine cavity is normal. HSG is an outpatient procedure that usually takes less than 5 minutes to perform. It is usually done after the menstrual period ends but before ovulation.

A woman is positioned under a fluoroscope a x-ray imager that can take pictures during the study on a table.

Her cervix is cleaned, and a device cannula is placed into the opening of the cervix. The doctor gently fills the uterus with a liquid containing iodine a fluid that can be seen by x-ray through the cannula. The contrast will be seen as white on the image and can show the contour of the uterus as the liquid travels from the cannula, into the uterus, and through the fallopian tubes.

As the contrast enters the tubes, it outlines the length of the tubes and spills out their ends if they are open. Abnormalities inside the uterine cavity may also be detected by the doctor observing the x-ray images when the fluid movement is disrupted by the abnormality.

The HSG procedure is not designed to evaluate the ovaries or to diagnose endometriosis, nor can it identify fibroids that are outside of the endometrial cavity, either in the muscular part of the uterus, or on the outside of the uterus. When spotting or discharge occurs, we encourage patients to use sanitary napkins or pads as opposed to tampons.

We also encourage our patients to speak with their physician about taking some over-the-counter pain reliever following the test to reducing any cramps or discomfort. While uncommon, a risk associated with HSG is infection.

Patients that have a diagnosed or suspected problem with their fallopian tubes — such as a history of ectopic pregnancies or a hydrosalpinx — will likely be prescribed an antibiotic to be taken in advance. An HSG will not bring on menses, so if you experience a full menstrual flow, develop a fever, or continue to feel pain for more than a few days, you should speak with your physician.

Shady Grove Fertility places high value on patient safety and comfort and goes out of our way to minimize discomfort. Many women feel some cramping for about 2 minutes when the contrast is filling the uterus.

Therefore, we strongly encourage taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen 30 to 60 minutes before the test to reduce feelings of pain or discomfort.

This will help tremendously. Also, speak with your doctor about taking pain medicine 30 to 60 minutes before the procedure especially if you have a history of ectopic pregnancies or a hydrosalpinx. We have very experienced clinicians who perform HSGs. The clinicians at our practice who perform HSGs perform thousands each year and have the experience and expertise to help make your experience as comfortable as possible.

We encourage communication. We encourage you, if you are feeling any discomfort during the test, to communicate with your clinician performing the test, let us know if it hurts, and we may be able to make some adjustments to make you more comfortable. We are selective about contrast and instrument type. We select a contrast that is known to cause the least amount of cramping and an instrument that is known to cause the least amount of discomfort.

We care about your comfort. We perform this procedure on a GYN table, which makes patients more comfortable, compared with a hospital table common in other locations. How long does an HSG take? While the actual procedure takes about 5 minutes, you should plan to arrive for your HSG 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment. You can also expect to be with us for minutes after the scheduled HSG start time. Is it okay to drive home by myself after the test?

The standard operating procedure for an HSG does not call for sedation. You are unlikely to have pain following the procedure, but you may feel crampy or achy.

The majority of our patients are able to drive after an HSG and even immediately return to work.