An intravaginal ultrasound involves inserting a probe into the vagina to create a detailed image of the pelvic organs, especially the uterus and ovaries. It is used to investigate symptoms such as pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding, and problems during pregnancy. The procedure may be uncomfortable and embarrassing, but there are no known harmful effects.
An ultrasound is a medical imaging test in which sound waves are sent from a probe and bounced back. The reflected sound waves are used to create an image of the scanned area, which is then displayed as a black and white image on a screen. An intravaginal ultrasound, sometimes known as a transvaginal ultrasound, involves inserting a probe into the vagina. Compared to abdominal ultrasound, which involves passing a probe over the skin of the abdomen, this type of ultrasound provides a more detailed picture of the pelvic organs, especially the uterus and ovaries.
Although many types of ultrasound are done from outside the body, sometimes it is necessary to place the ultrasound probe inside the body, and intravaginal ultrasound is one example. Internal ultrasounds are commonly used to view the prostate gland, stomach, gallbladder, and esophagus. While these types of medical tests can be uncomfortable, they are usually not painful.
Before the procedure, the patient may be asked to empty her bladder and put on a hospital gown. The position required for the scan is similar to that of a pelvic exam or Pap smear: lying down with knees bent and legs apart. A thin probe, covered with a clean sheath and a layer of gel, is inserted into the vagina and images are taken from various angles. This technique provides a deep view of the walls and lining of the uterus and the cavity inside it, along with the ovaries.
Intravaginal ultrasounds are used to investigate symptoms such as pelvic pain, lumps in the pelvis, abnormal vaginal bleeding, and problems during pregnancy. Conditions that can be seen more clearly with this type of ultrasound include growths within the uterus, such as fibroids and polyps. The extra information obtained from an endovaginal scan can aid in the diagnosis of ovarian cysts and tumors of the uterus or ovaries. In an emergency, an intravaginal ultrasound may be preferable to an abdominal ultrasound because the patient does not need to have a full bladder.
A downside to this procedure is that the patient may experience more discomfort and the procedure can be a little more embarrassing than an abdominal scan. Additionally, abdominal ultrasounds have a larger field of view, allowing you to visualize cysts and growths in the upper pelvis, which may be out of range of an endovaginal scan. Sometimes more than one type of scan may be needed to fully evaluate a condition. Typically, scans don’t take long and there are no known harmful effects.
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