Transvaginal ultrasound

For transvaginal ultrasound, you will empty your bladder. You will be asked to lie on your back with your feet slighty lowered. You will be completely covered with a sheet during the examination. Most women find the examination less uncomfortable than having a PAP smear performed. A sterile thin, lubricated, covered transducer probe will be gently inserted into your vagina. Only the tip of the transducer is put in the vagina.

Transvaginal ultrasound is a standard part of the examination as it will give more information than transabdominal ultrasound especially for women who:

• Are very overweight.
• Are being checked or treated for infertility.
• Unable to have a full bladder.
• Have excessive bowel gas. This makes it more difficult to see all the organs in the pelvis.
• Postmenopausal.

Transvaginal ultrasound creates a clearer picture than transabdominal scanning because the transducer probe is closer to the organs being viewed. However, transvaginal ultrasound looks at a smaller area than transabdominal ultrasound.

• 
  Anteverted Uterus
• 
  Cervix
• 
  Ovaries

Very occasionally, sterile saline is put into the cavity of the uterus through a tiny tube (catheter) to look at the lining of the uterus.