When I was first diagnosed with breast cancer, I didn't know what I was going to do. After the devastation subsided, I decided to take a very standard, western approach to my healing. Although initial efforts were successful, my cancer recurred a few months later. I endured many additional months of treatment before I started focusing on myself. I decided it was time to incorporate complimentary alternative treatments into my healing regimen, including massage therapy. I can't even begin to tell you how much it changed my life. My healing became a process, instead of something I simply had to endure. I hope that the articles on my website can inspire you to stay open-minded about your own healthcare.
While ultrasound is a well-known procedure, transvaginal ultrasound is not as well known. If you're scheduled to have a transvaginal ultrasound, you may have many questions about the procedure and its purpose. The following FAQ will help you understand the purpose of this type of ultrasound, what to expect during the procedure.
What is transvaginal ultrasound?
A transvaginal ultrasound is a type of ultrasound that doctors use to examine a woman's reproductive organs. While a standard ultrasound is performed by resting the ultrasound wand on the patient's skin, a transvaginal ultrasound is performed by inserting the probe into the woman's vagina. During the procedure, the ultrasound wand is moved around inside the vagina until a clear picture of the woman's reproductive organs has been created.
Does a transvaginal ultrasound hurt?
This procedure does not usually hurt. The probe must be inserted into the vagina by a few inches, so sometimes the patient may experience the same type of discomfort experienced when a speculum is used during a pap smear procedure. To increase patient comfort during the procedure, the doctor will coat the ultrasound probe with a warm gel. This makes it easier to move the probe without causing discomfort for the patient, and will also make it easier to insert the probe far enough into the patient's body.
What's the reason that a transvaginal ultrasound might be used, versus a standard ultrasound?
A transvaginal ultrasound gives a very close, very clear picture of what's happening inside the patient's pelvic area and reproductive organs. This detailed picture can help the doctor to diagnose certain conditions that might be difficult to diagnose with a standard ultrasound. Some examples of the types of conditions or problems that may lead a patient to have a transvaginal ultrasound include:
What should a patient do to prepare for a transvaginal ultrasound?
In some cases, the doctor will not ask anything of the patient scheduled to have the transvaginal ultrasound. In other cases, the doctor will ask the patient to have a slightly full bladder, or an empty bladder. The fullness or emptiness only matters depending on the type of condition that has led the patient to have the ultrasound, and what the doctor needs to see. If the doctor needs the patient to have a slightly full bladder for the ultrasound, he or she will ask the patient to drink water in advance of the procedure. For more information about this procedure, talk to your doctor (or companies like EVDI Medical Imaging) in advance of the procedure.
Share10 October 2016
