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Yesterday, I had my first sonohysterogram. It was ordered for a large mass that was spotted on my cervix during a standard ultrasound that my doc needed a “better” view of and possible biopsy. My OB was very vague about what the procedure was, and what to expect. I wanted to be properly prepared, so I looked online, but only found vague descriptions there as well. I wish I had been fully educated about it beforehand - that someone had been real with me and been specific, so I knew what I was getting into. Well ladies, Tia Nata is here to give you the downlow, which I hope will help other women be better prepared for this procedure.
What Is A Sonohysterogram?
I don’t want to scare you, but I’m going to be blunt, ladies - a sonohysterogram is a very personal, uncomfortable, and invasive procedure. You can look up the full definition from an actual medical source here, but none of them are honest about what to expect, in my humble opinion. They all say things like, "You'll experience no pain!" which really couldn't be further from the truth. In short, they’re going to shove a catheter up your cervix. Then, they inflate a balloon to hold it in place, and pump dyed water inside to get a more detailed internal ultrasound. Oh, and this is an outpatient procedure, conducted without any local or general anesthesia. That means you’re going to be awake, and feel everything that’s going on down there.
How Painful Is A Sonohysterogram?
The intensity and duration of pain depends on each person, kinda like how our menstrual cramps vary. If your cervix is scarred, pointed at an odd angle, or otherwise uncooperative, it can complicate catheter insertion. This can make the procedure last longer than expected, and increase the amount of pain experienced. Some women reportedly experience very little discomfort, whom I envy - but regardless, it’s important to know that a catheter and fluid will be going into an area normally reserved for sperm. Your body is likely to have some sort of response to that, and if you have a particularly hard time like I did, you may even go into a little bit of shock after the procedure is over. I felt nauseous and dizzy for a few minutes after and needed help carrying my purse to the car.
What Can I Do To Prepare For A Sonohysterogram?
I’d suggest preparing for the procedure like you would for a really rough Day 1 of your cycle. Minimize discomfort during catheter insertion by taking an NSAID or other anti-inflammatory an hour before your appointment. Bring juice, seltzer, or kombucha to settle your stomach and minimize shock upon catheter removal. Any pain you experience could last for 24 hours, so take the day off and get a ride if you can, and don’t make any plans afterwards. Even gentle walking could be painful, as it was for me. Set up your personal space so you can come home and relax, with aids like hot pads and simple meals like soup on-hand. It seems like the pain you’ll experience is relative to one’s menstrual cramps, since the same muscles are being aggravated during a sonohysterogram. So if you get really awful cramps during your monthly cycles, like me, you’re likely to experience more pain than women who have milder ones. Either way, I highly suggest planning on resting and pampering yourself as much as possible after your sonohysterogram.
I hope this is helpful to anyone else undergoing a sonohysterogram. I was in no way prepared or educated, and it was an incredibly shocking and painful experience as a result. Hopefully this helps you avoid unnecessary discomfort during your procedure, along with the following hours. I’m writing this about 24 hours after and I’m still sore, tender, and can barely walk, which could have been avoided if I’d known what I know now.
Each one teach one.
Love & Light.
What Is A Sonohysterogram?
I don’t want to scare you, but I’m going to be blunt, ladies - a sonohysterogram is a very personal, uncomfortable, and invasive procedure. You can look up the full definition from an actual medical source here, but none of them are honest about what to expect, in my humble opinion. They all say things like, "You'll experience no pain!" which really couldn't be further from the truth. In short, they’re going to shove a catheter up your cervix. Then, they inflate a balloon to hold it in place, and pump dyed water inside to get a more detailed internal ultrasound. Oh, and this is an outpatient procedure, conducted without any local or general anesthesia. That means you’re going to be awake, and feel everything that’s going on down there.
How Painful Is A Sonohysterogram?
The intensity and duration of pain depends on each person, kinda like how our menstrual cramps vary. If your cervix is scarred, pointed at an odd angle, or otherwise uncooperative, it can complicate catheter insertion. This can make the procedure last longer than expected, and increase the amount of pain experienced. Some women reportedly experience very little discomfort, whom I envy - but regardless, it’s important to know that a catheter and fluid will be going into an area normally reserved for sperm. Your body is likely to have some sort of response to that, and if you have a particularly hard time like I did, you may even go into a little bit of shock after the procedure is over. I felt nauseous and dizzy for a few minutes after and needed help carrying my purse to the car.
What Can I Do To Prepare For A Sonohysterogram?
I’d suggest preparing for the procedure like you would for a really rough Day 1 of your cycle. Minimize discomfort during catheter insertion by taking an NSAID or other anti-inflammatory an hour before your appointment. Bring juice, seltzer, or kombucha to settle your stomach and minimize shock upon catheter removal. Any pain you experience could last for 24 hours, so take the day off and get a ride if you can, and don’t make any plans afterwards. Even gentle walking could be painful, as it was for me. Set up your personal space so you can come home and relax, with aids like hot pads and simple meals like soup on-hand. It seems like the pain you’ll experience is relative to one’s menstrual cramps, since the same muscles are being aggravated during a sonohysterogram. So if you get really awful cramps during your monthly cycles, like me, you’re likely to experience more pain than women who have milder ones. Either way, I highly suggest planning on resting and pampering yourself as much as possible after your sonohysterogram.
I hope this is helpful to anyone else undergoing a sonohysterogram. I was in no way prepared or educated, and it was an incredibly shocking and painful experience as a result. Hopefully this helps you avoid unnecessary discomfort during your procedure, along with the following hours. I’m writing this about 24 hours after and I’m still sore, tender, and can barely walk, which could have been avoided if I’d known what I know now.
Each one teach one.
Love & Light.
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