Ultrasound Scanning
How does ultrasound work?
Why use Ultrasound?
Ultrasound Health
Ultrasound Pictures
Ultrasound Pregnancy
Ultrasound UK
Ultrasound Waves
3D Ultrasound
Doppler Ultrasound
Transvaginal Ultrasound

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Transvaginal Ultrasound

There are many different types of ultrasounds available and transvaginal ultrasound is a type of ultrasound that is done on the pelvis. The technique is used to look at a woman’s uterus, vagina, cervix and ovaries and it should only be done by a health-care professional.

The process involves the patient lying down with their knees bent and their feet in stirrups. A transducer or probe is covered in a gel or a condom to make the procedure less intrusive and is then placed up and into the vagina.

The transducer then sends sound waves through the pelvis that reflect and echo back off of the body structures that they encounter. The waves are then put through a computer to produce images.

Transvaginal ultrasound is often used during pregnancy and it can only be carried out on an empty bladder. The test is usually pain-free but it can feel slightly uncomfortable. It is used as a way to diagnose a wide variety of problems including pelvic pain and abnormal bleeding as it shows the lining of the uterus.

Ovarian cysts, infections, ovarian tumours and uterine fibroids can be detected and most importantly in pregnant women, transvaginal ultrasound shows the lining of the uterus, which can be thickened in cases of postmenopausal bleeding. Transvaginal ultrasound can also be used as a means to monitor the growth of the baby, listen to the heartbeat and watch out for ectopic pregnancy along with other major problems.