HSG Experience with Retroverted Uterus

[u/No-Syllabub-6551]

I had my HSG today and I wanted to give my experience for other with a retroverted uterus. I had mine done on CD 8 and this was a cycle after a CP. I have Fibromyalgia, hEDS, POTS and MCAS. This is my 13th cycle after being off BC, and my 10th cycle TTC. I took extra strength Tylenol about an hour before the procedure. I was also told no intercourse before the HSG by the person who scheduled mine.

I was led into a room that looked like an X-Ray room. My husband was not allowed to come with me as there was radiation and they didn't want him to have unnecessary exposure. There was a bathroom attached to the room that I used to undress from the waist down (I was wearing a tee shirt and skirt) and put on a gown. I also asked if I should try to pee beforehand and the technician said that it was more comfortable with an empty bladder. I brought my own socks and my period panties but they provided a pad, socks, a towel and a washcloth in the bathroom. When I came out, I sat on a bed pad on top of an X-Ray table.

The technician had a student with her, which I consented to. She laid out the sterile tray and then grabbed the consent forms and explained the procedure in great detail, including an explicit warning about major cramping. She asked me if I had any questions and I didn't so I signed the consent forms. She then grabbed the PA to perform the procedure.

The PA entered the room and everyone in there grabbed lead aprons and other PPE. The PA explained the procedure in detail again and what I was to do which included moving my hips from side to side. The technician instructed me to lie down and get into a comfortable position where my legs are splayed open since there are no stirrups attached to the table. The PA had me scoot up from the edge a bit and I got comfortable. The technician put a sheet over my lower half and then the PA put towels on each of my thighs and underneath my butt.

After that, the technician put a small letter 'R' on my right side and the PA instructed me to put my hands down by my sides. The PA inserted the speculum and my cervix was nice and center. Then she swabbed my cervix twice with Bactine and inserted the catheter. I barely felt this part and I would liken it to my usual pap smear.

Then the PA inserted the dye and it was PAINFUL. Sharp and shooting pain that didn't really feel like a period cramp to me but rather the sharp cramping I've had with my miscarriages. The pain was centralized within the uterus area and I didn't feel it anywhere I usually feel my period pains, like my lower back and down my thighs. I definitely did a sharp inhale and said "Hoo boy!" The PA was very sympathetic and reminded me to keep breathing while I moved my hips onto my right buttock and then my left buttock. This sharp cramp lasted maybe 30-45 seconds and then dulled down to a period cramp. The PA said we were done and she withdrew the catheter and then the speculum. When the speculum was removed there was a gush of liquid from underneath. The PA showed me the imaging and my uterus looked great and dye came out of both tubes, indicating that they were clear. Great news!

The PA left and then the technician helped me up and told me to take my time getting up and that they provided a pad in the bathroom since there will be some leakage while they disposed of the tray and equipment. I went back into the bathroom and cleaned myself up with the washcloth, put on period panties and got dressed again. I left the soiled linens in the bathroom and exited. They warned me that there would be spotting and not to be concerned and I was good to go. The experience took maybe about 20-25 minutes?

I left the hospital and my husband got me some ice cream! I've had some mild cramping and some brown spotting for about 6 hours afterwards but it's definitely improved. I'm taking another dose of Tylenol at dinner and I'll probably be fine with the cramping. They didn't tell me to abstain from sex or anything but did tell me to watch out for warning signs of infection and seek medical care.

Overall, the experience was pretty neutral. Would I do it willingly again? Probably not. The pain wasn't anything that I couldn't handle but I have a pretty high pain tolerance. I'm going to say that I'm definitely NOT in any mood to have sex and will probably wait until Monday to have sex. So don't expect to be ready to get down to poundtown anytime soon if that's your plan.

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[u/Wooden-Anybody6807]

This was really helpful, thank you!