u/16cats_

I had read many many accounts of people who had awful HSG scans with a ton of pain, to the point that I was so nervous leading up to it that I started hysterically crying in the exam room before anything even started. Thankfully the doctor and tech were very kind and understanding, so they let me get my breathing under control before starting and the tech held my hand the whole time.

The beginning was as uncomfortable as is it anytime they use a speculum, but honestly the catheter for the dye hurt less than a Pap smear imo, and it was in before I even registered anything had happened. The injecting of the dye was definitely cramp-y, but similar to a very mild period cramp. I will say I don’t usually have super painful paps to begin with, so if yours are super uncomfortable this may not apply to you.

I think it helped that I took 200mg of Ibuprofen 30 minutes before my appointment, and another 200mg 15 minutes before. By the time I was actually on the table about an hour had passed since my first dose, so I think that was what aided in how little discomfort I felt. After the appointment I walked myself out, got a coffee with my husband (he wasn’t allowed in during the scan, but came in after for results and support), and went to work feeling normal for the rest of the day.

I considered not posting this because I don’t want it to come off as dismissive of those who had bad experiences- I feel so sorry that it is such a bad experience for so many people. But I also know that the night before my appointment I worked myself up so much by reading horror stories I nearly had a panic attack in the waiting room, so I wanted to share my take in hopes that it can maybe reassure someone who’s panicking like I was. I’d sooner have the HSG scan done again than a Pap smear tbh

💕 best of luck 💕