Transvaginal Ultrasound

A TVS is usually recommended by the doctor when they need to look into your internal organs. Some of the internal organs that can be checked with this test are the cervix, fallopian tubes, uterus, ovaries, and vagina. This type of ultrasound is conducted by inserting a probe through your vaginal canal.

When Is It Done?

There can be several causes behind conducting a TVS, where it can either be used during pregnancy or to detect the underlying factors behind the symptoms.

Explore some of the reasons why a TVS is required:

• Unexplained Vaginal Bleeding
• Pelvic Pain
• After an Abnormal Abdominal Exam
• To Check that the IUI is Placed Properly or not
• Ectopic Pregnancy
• Infertility

TVS During Pregnancy:

Apart from confirming an early pregnancy, a TVS can also be used to check various parameters during pregnancy. Some of such factors include:

• Look for any cervical changes that can cause premature delivery or miscarriage
• Checks the proper heartbeat of the fetus
• Diagnoses the probability of undergoing a miscarriage
• Examine all types of placental abnormalities such as placenta previa, placenta increata, or placenta accreta.
• Identify the main causes of abnormal vaginal bleeding

Procedural Details

The TVS will be conducted by an experienced sonographer who has the professional knowledge of analysing the reproductive organs.

• Firstly, the technician will instruct you to lie on the examination tables by spreading your legs.
• The technician will then put a condom and lubricating gel on the ultrasound inducer for a smooth insertion of the wand.
• After this, the inducer will be gently inserted inside the vagina and during this stage, you may feel minimal pressure in the pelvis area.
• The inducer will then produce high-density sound waves towards the internal organs, which will help in producing clear recordings and images of the organs.
• The doctor may also include a saline infusion sonography (SIS) during the TVS where sterile salt water is inserted into the uterus to check for any abnormalities.

You must always remember that a transvaginal ultrasound can be done on a pregnant woman but a SIS cannot be done during pregnancy as it can create significant side effects on the fetus.

Results

After conducting the TVS scan, the doctor may provide you with the results of the test almost immediately. However, the technician may also decide to save the images after performing the procedure so that those can be analysed by the radiologist later on.

Some of the conditions that can be detected with this effective ultrasound include:

• Miscarriage
• Reproductive Cancers
• Pelvic Infection
• Placenta Previa
• Fibroids
• Ectopic Pregnancy
• Cysts

Apart from detecting these disorders, a TVS can also be used for routine check-ups during pregnancy. If any abnormal results are indicated by the radiologist then you must contact a doctor to avail of effective treatment options.

Advantages

As compared to traditional pelvic exams, performing a TVS offers a wide array of advantages with detailed information about the functioning and any possible abnormalities in the reproductive organs.

No radiation is used

While undergoing a TVS, you don’t have to worry about being exposed to radiation like other scanning procedures. In this method, only sound waves are used to witness the pelvic organs.

Comfortable

Most women don’t experience any discomfort during the scan. The doctors always ensure you a comfortable TVS experience while considering your safety.

Short Duration of the Procedure

Short duration is another advantage of TVS as you don’t have to wait for a long time for the completion of the procedure. Within almost half an hour, the doctor will be done with the entire procedure.

High-quality images

A TVS always produces high-quality images which makes it an essential factor to get precise results. This also enables the doctor to tailor an individualized and effective treatment plan.

Risk Factors

A TVS is a safe procedure and doesn’t involve any serious risks. Even during pregnancy, performing this scan is safe for both the fetus and the mother. However, you may experience mild discomfort while inserting the transducer but it should go away after completion of the scan.