Are you also afraid of the Transvaginal Ultrasound scan? Let's talk about it.

Did you feel a little scared, embarrassed, or uncomfortable when your doctor told you that you needed to have a transvaginal ultrasound scan? It's actually very common. Many women feel that way when they hear this name. But it's actually not as scary or uncomfortable as you might think. This is a very important, safe, and painless medical test. So today, let's talk clearly about every question and issue you have in mind about this.

Simply put, what is this transvaginal ultrasound?

This is similar to an ultrasound scan of your abdomen. However, instead of placing the probe on your abdomen, it is inserted through your vagina. This allows you to see your internal organs, such as your uterus, cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, very clearly and up close. It's like looking at a camera up close. This method produces a much clearer picture than looking from above.

Why is the doctor asking you to do a scan like this?

There are several reasons why this scan may be done. If you have any symptoms, it can be very helpful in finding the cause. It can also be done to look inside before gynecological surgery.

Let's see what this scan can detect in the table below.

Why is this scan important in the early weeks of pregnancy?

Your doctor may ask you to do this scan in the early weeks of your pregnancy. There are specific reasons for that too.

• Confirm pregnancy: This is essential to ensure that the baby is properly positioned inside the uterus.
• Know the exact number of weeks: You can measure exactly how many weeks you are now and how your baby is developing.
• Measure the baby's heartbeat: This is the best way to check if your baby's little heart is beating in the early stages.
• Identify early complications: You can find out early if there is a risk of miscarriage or other problems.

How does this scan work?

The technology is very simple. Ultrasound is a high-frequency sound wave that our ears cannot hear. The small device used in the scan is called a transducer . When this is inserted into the vagina, it sends sound waves to the organs inside. The sound waves that hit those organs and return (like an echo) are picked up by the same device. The signals are then analyzed by a computer and displayed as a clear picture on a monitor. It's a bit like the way bats navigate at night.

What is the probe used for the scan?

Another thing that scares many people is this device. It is specially made to fit your vagina. It is round on top and very thin. It is usually less than 1.5 inches in diameter. Think of it as a slightly larger tampon. Before the doctor inserts it, he puts a sterile cover on it and applies a lubricating gel. So it goes in very easily.

How long will it take?

This scan usually takes between 15 and 30 minutes . The time may vary slightly depending on what the doctor is looking for and how clearly your internal organs are visible.

How should I prepare before the scan?

This doesn't require much preparation, but it will be easier for you if you keep these things in mind.

• Wear comfortable clothing: Wear clothes that you can easily remove. You will need to remove your pants and underwear. The hospital may provide you with a gown to wear.
• During your period: You can have this scan even on the day you are on your period. However, you must remove any tampons you are using before the scan.
• Drinking water and urinating: This is very important. Sometimes the doctor will tell you to come with a full bladder (meaning you will drink plenty of water). Other times, he will tell you to come with an empty bladder . The reason for this is that the appearance of the internal organs changes depending on whether the bladder is full or empty. So follow the doctor's instructions exactly.

What happens during the scan?

Okay, now let's see what exactly happens during the scan.

1. You will need to lie on the bed as you normally would for a gynecological exam. That is, with your knees bent and your legs spread out to the sides. There may be special stirrups to hold your legs in place.

2. Then the doctor or technician will put a protective cover on the transducer device I mentioned earlier, apply some gel, and very gently and slowly insert it into your vagina. The gel may feel a little cold.

3. Once the device is inside, they slowly move it back and forth, taking pictures of the internal organs from different angles. All of those pictures appear on a monitor.

4. After taking all the necessary pictures, they take out the device. That's it.

Does this hurt? Are there any risks?

The biggest question for many people is whether this will hurt. To be honest, it shouldn't be painful. But you may feel a little discomfort or pressure. That's normal. That too will go away after a while.

As for the risks, transvaginal ultrasound is a very safe test. Even during pregnancy, it will not harm the baby. This is because it does not use anything radioactive like X-rays. It only uses sound waves.

There may be some bleeding after the scan due to the gel used. This will go away within 24 hours. Very rarely, someone may have a small amount of bleeding or a slight stomach ache. This will also go away after a while. However, if you experience severe pain or heavy bleeding , call your doctor immediately.

What happens after the scan? How long does it take to get the report?

After the scan is complete, you can continue with your normal activities without any problems.

As for the time it takes to receive the report, it varies from place to place.

• Sometimes the doctor who performed the scan will give you a rough idea right away.
• But it can take several hours or even days to get the full report, as the images need to be examined by a specialist doctor and a report prepared.
• Once the report arrives, your doctor will call you and explain what it contains and what to do next.

The results of this scan may be enough to diagnose your condition. At another time, based on the information obtained from this scan, further tests, such as an MRI scan , may be needed. Your doctor will explain all of this to you clearly.

Transvaginal ultrasound, transvaginal ultrasound, vaginal scan, uterine scan, women's diseases, pregnancy scan, pelvic pain sinhala, gynecological tests