Do abnormal findings on hystero-salphingographic examination correlate with intensity of procedure associated pain?

The aim of this study is to determine if the intensity and nature of pain during Hystero-Salphingography could give a clue to the presence of abnormal finding/s. Eighty-two patients were recruited over a six-month period. Procedural pain was assessed using the numeric rating scale. Mean age was 33.2 +/- 4.9 years. The median pain score in patients with normal findings was 6.0 but 7.0, 8.0, and 8.5 in those with right tubal blockade, uterine fibroids and left tubal blockade respectively. No statistical difference in the absolute pain score between patients with normal and abnormal findings. Pain scores in patients with 1 and 2 abnormalities were 7.0 and 7.5, and the number of abnormalities did not affect pain score (P = 0.3). The presence or absence of pain during HSG may not be a suitable way of determining the presence or absence of abnormal HSG finding/s.