At the RE this morning, I heard a woman losing it in the room next to me. She was freaking out from the pain of her IUI. It made me freak out a little, too! My HSG was so painful, and I'm scared that my IUI will be bad as well.
If your HSG hurt, did your IUI hurt as well? I want to be able to mentally prepare.
honeydew / 7916 posts
Generally I don't think IUIs hurt unless your cervix is really weird like mine and they have to use the different catheter. And even then, I don't think it was "losing it" pain!
hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts
I had some post op pain from my HSG but that was after the procedure. Which was very painful for me.
As for the HSG cramping and the IUI cramping. It's about the same. Maybe the IUI was less painful for me. Inserting dye for a test versus making a baby... psychologically the IUI was a more positive or tolerating experience for me.
grapefruit / 4703 posts
My HSG did not hurt at all, and my IUIs hurt half the time (2/4) but it had nothing to do with the pushing liquid through my cervix part, which is what causes the cramping in an HSG (and potentially an IUI). It hurt because my cervix is pointed down and they have a hard time getting it in the right position so they can put the catheter in. I can't really feel the catheter going in or the sample going in at all.
I think people can sometimes feel sharp pain from them pushing the sample in through the catheter. If you're concerned about that, ask the person performing the procedure to go slow (they should anyway!)
eggplant / 11861 posts
Just had my 3rd IUI about 45 mins ago......there is no.pain, feels exactly like an annual exam.......like spaniellove saod unless your cervix is diff it should be fine!!!!!!! AND I'M A HUGE BABY 
apricot / 452 posts
I had no pain during my HSG. I had 3 IUIs. The worst that it was for me was that during one of them I had some cramping when they were pushing the sample through the catheter.
pomegranate / 3438 posts
I had terrible time with the HSG but was mostly fine during my IUI's. The only issue I had with the first IUI was that the RE wanted me to come in with a full bladder, then the nurse had to push on my stomach for the ultrasound. I thought I was going to pee right then and there! Otherwise, I didn't feel a thing!
nectarine / 2705 posts
@Happygal: How do you know it was an IUI that the woman next door was reacting to? Just curious... 
My HSG was a lot more painful than my IUIs. The IUI procedure felt like an annual exam to me. And the time that it resulted in a BFP is when it hurt the least for me. I think it was because I had CM and the timing was just right.
pomelo / 5000 posts
Okay, sounds like a mixed bag. I'll go in expecting pain, and hopefully will be pleasantly surprised!
@Sweetooth: Pretty sure it was an IUI b/c I could hear everything! I really wasn't trying to eavesdrop, and wish I hadn't heard anything at all.
I saw the couple in a waiting room and it looked like they carried a sample of some sort back with them. I believe she passed out, and they were talking about her color being so pale. She came to and was sobbing. I think they had given her a paper bag to breathe into. The nurser giving me a tutorial on injectables left the room to go help out. I heard the doctor explaining that the uterus is a muscle and it was cramping but there wasn't any reason to be afraid because whatever they had placed inside couldn't go anywhere. She said she hurt all over.
eggplant / 11861 posts
@Happygal: omg that sounds awful 
that pooor lady and poor you. .......
GOLD / coconut / 8266 posts
@Happygal: I've never had a HSG but my IUIs weren't painful at all. Just a tiny cramp.
honeydew / 7916 posts
@Happygal: Have they ever suggested taking Tylenol or Ibuprofen beforehand?
pomelo / 5000 posts
@SpanielLove: I did take Ibuprofen before my HSG, but it didn't touch the pain. I was glad I knew it was a quick procedure b/c that's what helped me to hang in there. I think this time, even if it's painful, being mentally prepared for it will help me through it.
@FaithFertility: good luck with you 2nd IUI today!
kiwi / 726 posts
@Happygal: my HSG was quite unpleasant to the point where I thought I would vomit. The nurses conveniently forgot to tell me to take a pain reliever beforehand. I barely felt any of the four IUI's I had.
nectarine / 2152 posts
Not even remotely in the same realm for me! My HSG was so bad I passed out during it! I was really worried for the IUI but it was hardly anything at all!
pomelo / 5000 posts
You all are giving me hope!
I know I shouldn't psych myself out about it, but that HSG was so damn awful from the moment it started. I googled "hsg+pain" afterwards and read where one woman said her HSG was more painful than her med-free delivery--wow!
kiwi / 726 posts
@Happygal: I would say the HSG was PDF more painful then my labor and delivery (also med free) in many ways. You expect labor and delivery to be painful. I was not expecting the HSG to be that ways really thought it was going to make me throw up.
kiwi / 643 posts
So my HSG didn't hurt at all, but I had a couple of Vicodin sitting around and partook before my HSG. Both of my IUI's were CRAZY PAINFUL, as was my first embryo transfer. FINALLY they realized that I had cervical stenosis, which basically meant that there were bizarre twists and turns in my cervix that were making it virtually impossible to insert the catheter. I had to go through some very un-fun procedures where they dilated and "mapped" my cervix, (unfortunately, I had used my last Vicodin on the stupid HSG...could've used it for the "mapping").
Anyhoo...once they had everything "mapped," my doctor was able to successfully transfer our two frozen embryos. They told me I should never have had so much pain with IUI's if my cervix was fine.
Sooooo...if it's really painful? Ask if they can tell whether your cervix is straight or...um...curvy.
pomelo / 5000 posts
@Bluestriped Bee: just seeing this! I have no idea when it will be. They just upped my dosage amount, but they have been very cautious since this is my first time on injectables. I was told to be patient. I'm off to the doctor's for another check-in this morning, so maybe they'll have a better idea of a date.
hostess / wonderful apple seed / 16729 posts
@Happygal: Oh cool. Let us know when you have it scheduled.
honeydew / 7463 posts
@Happygal: Hope your appointment went well today!
I was wondering something like this the other day, so I'm glad you posted this. I had a hysterosonogram yesterday (Friday) and it was a lot more painful than I expected, but very quick (like 5 minutes). It made me wonder if embryo transfer was similar.
Good luck with the upcoming IUI and you'll have to let us know how it compared to the HSG.
persimmon / 1479 posts
@Happygal: Just checking in to see if you could give me some insight into how your IUI turned out (if you ended up having one)? My hsg was pretty painful today and I'm getting a bit worried about the IUI. I think the problem is my small cervix. It seemed to take forever for them to get the catheter in 
for the hsg and the doctor kept commenting on how small my cervix was. I also want to prepare myself for what the IUI might be like.
eggplant / 11861 posts
I am not Happygal but I can share my experience:
My HSG was painful I was in tears , I think being scared made it worse, because I was so tense,
Also the catheter they use for an HSG has like a balloon on it if I remember correctly that opens it up more, that is the pain I felt...
My IUIs pain free, seriously nothing more then an annual exam, and less feeling then a pap smear in my opinion!
It literally is over before you know it, Speculum in, catheter in ....push sperms up and Done!!!!!!
persimmon / 1479 posts
@FaithFertility: Thank you for sharing! I hope mine is similar to yours
eggplant / 11861 posts
@winter_wonder: For my second IUI I had to go to another clinic as it was on a Sunday so the one close to me was closed....
The nurse did the IUI so fast even DH looked at her like its over.....lol
persimmon / 1483 posts
@FaithFertility: same. My HSG was terrible ... like I almost fainted when I sat up after it was over. I had 3 IUIs that were no more uncomfortable than a pap.
persimmon / 1479 posts
@FaithFertility and @Madison43: Thank you ladies! This gives me peace of mind knowing that it will likely be so much better than my experience today!!!!
pomelo / 5000 posts
Wow, crazy seeing this old thread being bumped. I'm glad you did b/c I should have updated!
@winter_wonder: Even though I had the reassurance of so many here, I was still nervous and emotions were high the day of my first IUI. I really tried to trick myself into being calm, but I wasn't so good at it. My husband said he could see the vein on the side of my neck pulsing like crazy.
I was prepared for that awful pain again, so I was so pleasantly surprised when the RE announced the catheter was in and I didn't feel anything! It's very slender and there was no pain. Some discomfort, maybe, and slight cramps afterwards, but it just didn't compare at all to the HSG.
Good luck! The first IUI didn't work for me, but 2nd one was a success.
persimmon / 1479 posts
@Happygal: Hooray! I'm glad to hear that your IUI was much better and also that the second one was successful awesome news! Thanks for the update!
apple seed / 2 posts
Hi! My IUI was scheduled this month and was done yesterday. I was so much scared and I read all your posts almost daily. I want to thank you all for increasing my courage before I share my experience.
It was very easy and painless process. I felt 0 pain and was done in half minute..yes..can you believe it? and lay down for 10 min... I will say, vaginal sonography is more uncomfortable. It was not even the pain we have while we take injection. Mine was done at Pulse Hospital, Ahmedabad. I think they have latest technology and very expert experienced doctors, I am still surprised, I could not even feel cathetor in..Thank you Dr. Sandeep Shah. I recommend this hospital to all. So, girls, don' t see pics of speculum and catheter on google, not watch animation video, it will scare you.. The IUI is totally painless. I have 2WW and hope to get BFP, but I am ready for next cycle of IUI as it is soooo easy!
Good luck to all!
pear / 1558 posts
@anamika1: thanks for bumping this old thread & congratulations on your smooth & painless IUI! Good luck & hope it works for you!
I hadn't even considered this may be painful. I assume the volume that is inserted during IUI is much smaller than for HSG, so it sounds like most who experienced pain had an issue with their cervix?? I did have an unpleasant HSG, but I "overachieved" with having a full bladder, and they needed more volume of dye than usual, I guess. I felt a lot of pressure & cramping & then when it was over & I sat up to discuss the results with the Dr and I ended up feeling like I was going to pass out, so they had me lay back down for 15 mins & drink some juice before they let me leave. We are gearing up to do IUI this next cycle, so I hope I can say mine was quick & easy like most on here! 
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