Transvaginal ultrasound

Today in gynecology and urology, transvaginal ultrasound is widely used. It is a painless, safe and inexpensive way of early diagnosis of diseases. In addition, this method does not require any preparation, which is very convenient for the patient.

Transvaginal ultrasound is performed using a sensor inserted into the vagina. He is pre-donned a condom and a gel is applied. Quite often this type of study is combined with transabdominal ultrasound, conducted through the abdominal wall. However, the latter requires a complete bladder, which causes discomfort in patients.

The ultrasound of the pelvic organs transvaginally helps to diagnose and evaluate:

• Tumor diseases;

• Possible causes of infertility (congenital pathologies of the uterus, adhesive process) ;

• The size and shape of the ovaries, the presence of cysts in them;

• The cause of uterine bleeding;

• Inflammation of the ovaries, uterus;

• Pathology of the endometrium (hyperplasia, polyps, tumors);

• Location of the intrauterine device;

• Pregnancy, vitality and number of embryos;

• Up to 20 weeks gestation of fetal pathology;

• Threat of premature birth;

• Ectopic pregnancy;

• Causes of urinary incontinence and urination disorders;

• Condition of the cervix;

• Abnormalities of the urethra.

Transvaginal ultrasound of the ovaries is recommended to be performed on the 5th-7th day of the cycle during routine examination. However, the doctor can prescribe a different time. With folliculogenesis, ultrasound is performed several times per cycle in order to follow the growth of the follicle and to establish the fact of the ovulation that has taken place.

Today, quite often transvaginal ultrasound is combined with a gynecological examination. Such a survey is desirable to pass every year to every woman, and in the presence of pathologies more often. This will identify the disease in a timely manner, which will improve the prognosis and facilitate treatment.

Transvaginal ultrasound of the uterus and other organs of the small pelvis is prescribed in the following cases:

• Preventive examination;

• The detection of complications after childbirth and abortion;

• Chronic inflammation in the pelvis;

• Tracking ovulation in patients with infertility;

• Pathological formations in the small pelvis (tumors of the uterus, ovaries);

• Malformations of organs;

• Pathology of the endometrium (hyperplasia, polyps), uterus (fibromyoma, adenomyosis), ovaries (cysts, tumors);

• Uterine contraceptive (staging, removal, observation);

• Diagnosis of pregnancy (possible already with 2.5 weeks), as well as its pathologies (threat of interruption, detachment of the fetal egg, bladder skidding, ectopic and undeveloped pregnancy).

On ultrasound it is desirable to take a diaper and a towel, although in some commercial centers they are provided. The procedure usually lasts no more than 20 minutes. It is advisable to take the protocol of the previous inspection with you.

The doctor may ask questions during the examination, so you need to remember the date of the last monthly period, to think whether there are any complaints. It is better to take your female calendar with you, see the duration of menstruation and the intervals between them.

In a routine study, the fallopian tubes are visualized only with their acute inflammation. Therefore, to check their patency with ultrasound, they need to enter a special substance. However, this method of investigation does not have high accuracy, therefore, hysterosalpingography or laparoscopy is often used for this.

Thus, transvaginal ultrasound is actively used in gynecology and urology. It helps to diagnose diseases in a timely manner, to check the effectiveness of the therapy, to observe the pregnancy from 3 to 20 weeks. This is a simple and informative method that does not require special preparation. Due to the fact that the sensor is inserted into the vagina and is very close to the organs under investigation, it is highly effective.