Transvaginal Ultrasound

Transvaginal ultrasound is an examination of the female pelvis. It helps to see if there is any abnormality in the uterus (womb), cervix (the neck of the womb), endometrium (lining of the womb), fallopian tubes, ovaries, bladder or the pelvic cavity.

It looks at the pelvic organs from inside the vagina using a handheld device called a transducer. This differs from an abdominal ultrasound, transducer is moved gently across the pelvic area.

All ultrasound transducers transmit high-frequency sound waves, and these are reflected from different soft tissue, structures or parts in the body in different ways. These sound waves are converted to electrical impulses that produce a moving image on a screen.

An ultrasound has many advantages:

It is painless and does not involve radiation, which means it is very safe

There are no injections, unless your doctor has specifically requested one.

The high-frequency sound waves ensure images show very high detail, capable of looking at the very tiniest parts of the body.

Purpose:

The test is requested by your doctor if you have symptoms of pelvic pain or abnormal bleeding, or to check for fibroids (muscle tumours of the uterus), polyps (areas of thickening of the lining of the uterus), ovarian cysts or tumours, infertility, or assessment of early pregnancy.

A transvaginal ultrasound provides much more detailed pictures of the organs in the pelvis, particularly the uterus (including fallopian tubes and ovaries), when compared to Trans abdominal scanning of the pelvis.

Preparing for a transvaginal ultrasound scan requires a few specific instructions:

Fasting :There is typically no requirement for fasting before a TVS.

Bladder : Your bladder does not need to be full for a TVS, unlike a pelvic ultrasound. You may be asked to empty your bladder before the scan.

Medications : If you are on any medications, inform your doctor. There's usually no need to stop them for this test, but it's always best to check.

Allergies :If you're allergic to latex or certain gels, inform your doctor as these might be used during the procedure.