Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: What is a transvaginal ultrasound
• Part 2 of 3: Preparing for a Transvaginal Ultrasound
• Part 3 of 3: Performing an Ultrasound Exam
• Warnings

Ultrasound examination (ultrasound) is a non-invasive diagnostic method that allows the doctor to obtain visual information about the state of internal organs and structures of the body. Transvaginal ultrasound (also called intravaginal ultrasound) is necessary when a doctor needs to conduct a comprehensive examination of a woman's genitals and reproductive health.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: What is a transvaginal ultrasound

1. 1 Find out what a transvaginal ultrasound is. Transvaginal ultrasound is used to obtain visual information about the pelvic organs. This method is used to diagnose gynecological diseases (for example, to establish the cause of pelvic pain or bleeding of unknown etiology), as well as to determine pregnancy in the early stages.
   • During the procedure, the doctor inserts a probe, similar in size to a speculum, into the vagina. Once in the vagina, the transvaginal transducer emits ultrasound waves that allow the doctor to see the patient's internal organs.
   • Transvaginal ultrasound is a painless test, but some women experience pressure and discomfort during the procedure.
2. 2 Find out when a transvaginal ultrasound is prescribed. An intravaginal ultrasound is done if your doctor needs to take a closer look at the condition of your reproductive organs, such as the cervix, ovaries, or uterus. The doctor may order a transvaginal examination to monitor the pregnancy process and the condition of the fetus.
   • The doctor may order this test if the patient complains of pain, bleeding, or bloating, the cause of which is unknown.
   • Transvaginal ultrasound makes it possible to identify changes in the structure and density of tissues of the reproductive system, as well as to visualize blood circulation in the pelvic organs.
   • This research method allows you to detect fibroids, ovarian cysts and malignant neoplasms in the pelvic organs, as well as diagnose the causes of vaginal bleeding and spasms.
   • In addition, transvaginal ultrasound helps in the diagnosis of infertility and the detection of pathologies of the bladder, kidneys and pelvic cavity.
   • If you are pregnant, your doctor may order this test to determine early pregnancy, monitor fetal development, identify multiple pregnancies, or detect an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy in a timely manner.
3. 3 Schedule your research time. The doctor prescribes the time for the ultrasound scan, depending on the medical indications for the study.
   • During pregnancy, transvaginal ultrasound is usually prescribed no earlier than the sixth week from the moment of conception, and most often this examination is carried out between the eighth and twelfth weeks of pregnancy.
   • If the doctor needs to diagnose the cause of bleeding or pain of unknown etiology, transvaginal ultrasound is usually prescribed as soon as possible.
   • If a transvaginal ultrasound is prescribed to establish the causes of infertility, the doctor will choose the ovulation period for the procedure.
   • A transvaginal examination can be performed at any phase of the menstrual cycle, but it is best for this examination to be performed immediately after the end of menstrual bleeding, between days 5 and 12 of the cycle. At this time, the layer of endometrium lining the inner surface of the uterus has the smallest thickness, which allows you to get a clear image of the uterus.

Part 2 of 3: Preparing for a Transvaginal Ultrasound

1. 1 Take care of your personal hygiene as you prepare for your transvaginal ultrasound procedure. Shower or bathe before heading to the medical center for the study.
   • If the test is done during your period, when you are using a tampon, it will need to be removed from the vagina before the procedure. Be sure to bring a spare tampon (or sanitary napkin) with you to use this sanitary product after your exam.
2. 2 Wear comfortable clothing that can be removed easily. During the procedure, you will need to change into a hospital gown, so it is best to come to the medical center in comfortable clothes that can be removed without difficulty.
   • Wear comfortable shoes, which you can easily take off before the procedure, since for a transvaginal ultrasound, you must completely undress below the waist.
   • In some cases, the patient is asked to undress only below the waist, so it will be more convenient if you wear separate items of clothing rather than a dress.
3. 3 Ask your doctor how you need to come for your procedure:with a full or empty bladder. Most often, a transvaginal examination is performed when the bladder is empty.Go to the toilet before the procedure and do not drink anything for half an hour before the test.
   • Sometimes the doctor first does a transabdominal ultrasound and only then a transvaginal one. In this case, the study is carried out when the bladder is partially filled. The bladder lifts the abdominal organs, which allows the doctor to better see the pelvic organs.
   • If your doctor has ordered a full bladder test, drink plenty of water before the procedure and do not urinate.
   • Start drinking water half an hour before the study.
   • Before doing a transvaginal exam, your doctor will ask you to go to the toilet and empty your bladder.
4. 4 Sign all required documents. When you go to the clinic or health center, you will be asked to sign a special form giving your consent to have a transvaginal ultrasound scan.
   • Also, tell your doctor if you are allergic to latex. A latex or silicone medical condom is put on the probe before inserting it into the vagina.

Part 3 of 3: Performing an Ultrasound Exam

1. 1 Change into a hospital gown. In a special dressing room or ultrasound room, you need to take off your clothes and put on a hospital gown.
   • Sometimes the patient is asked to undress only below the waist. In this case, you will be given a special sheet that you can use to cover yourself during the research.
2. 2 Lie on the couch. After removing your clothes, lie down on a couch or gynecological chair. During a transvaginal ultrasound, you need to lie on your back, in the same position as during a regular pelvic exam.
   • Bend your knees and place your feet on special leg rests that are attached to a couch or chair. This position of the patient will allow the doctor to easily insert the sensor into the vagina.
3. 3 To conduct a study, the doctor inserts a sensor into the vagina. Before inserting the probe, the doctor puts on a latex or silicone condom and applies a special lubricant on top to facilitate the insertion process.
   • The doctor slowly and carefully inserts the probe into the vagina to begin the imaging process.
   • The transvaginal probe is only slightly larger than a regular hygiene tampon and you will not feel any discomfort when it is in the vagina.
4. 4 What happens directly during the procedure? The doctor holds the probe inserted into the vagina and slowly rotates it from side to side to get a clear image of the pelvic organs.
   • The sensor is connected to the computer. When the sensor is in the vagina, an image of the internal organs is displayed on the computer monitor. During the scan, the doctor carefully checks whether all structures are displayed in detail on the screen. In addition, pictures are sometimes taken or videos are recorded during the procedure.
   • If an ultrasound is done to check the development of the fetus, the doctor will usually print the images and give them to the pregnant woman.
5. 5 Wipe off any remaining gel and dress. A transvaginal ultrasound usually takes about 15 minutes. When your doctor is done examining, he will remove the probe from your vagina, after which you can get dressed.
   • After the procedure, the patient is given a towel to wipe off the remaining gel from the inner thighs and pelvic area.
   • If necessary, go to the bathroom to wipe off any remaining lubricant on your genitals and insert a new tampon.
6. 6 Ask about the research results. If you are undergoing examination at a non-governmental medical center, the doctor most often tells you the preliminary results of the ultrasound directly during the examination, as the image of the organs appears on the screen. If you are having an ultrasound scan in a clinic or hospital and the study is performed as part of the compulsory medical insurance, you will have to wait until the conclusion of the ultrasound results comes to your doctor.
   • The waiting time for test results depends on how complex the interpretation of the images is and whether you need urgent medical attention. If an ultrasound examination was performed for a highly specific diagnosis, you will have to wait from several days to a week before the medical report is ready.

Warnings

• Transvaginal ultrasound is not prescribed for very young girls, as well as for those patients who have not previously had gynecological examinations: in these cases, transvaginal insertion of the probe is considered an invasive procedure. If you belong to this group of patients, ask your doctor if it is possible in your case to perform a transabdominal ultrasound examination, which is performed with a full bladder. This method also allows you to get an image of the pelvic organs, but less detailed than transvaginal ultrasound.