Today, one of the most common diagnostic procedures is ultrasound. It is so widespread due to its information content, low cost, painlessness and safety.
In gynecology, a vaginal ultrasound scan has recently been used, which does not require special preparation and is more informative than transabdominal. Now this type of research is conducted only for virgins and women suffering from vaginismus. It requires a good full bladder, otherwise the doctor will not see anything.
Ultrasound with a vaginal probe helps to examine the ovaries, the uterus, its neck. Since only a thin wall of the vagina is located between it and the organs. In addition, transabdominal ultrasound for women with obesity is generally almost impossible.
Vaginal ultrasound is absolutely safe and painless. A disposable condom is always worn on the sensor, so the likelihood of infection is no more than with a normal sexual intercourse. During the study, the doctor will move the sensor into the vagina - this is a bit unpleasant, but painless.
If a vaginal ultrasound is prescribed, it is necessary to take a sheet or a diaper, since it will have to be undressed, as at the appointment with a gynecologist. Usually it is carried out on a couch in a prone position. Sometimes a study is performed directly on the gynecological chair in the doctor’s office, if he has the necessary training and equipment.
Sometimes transabdominal and then vaginal ultrasound is done first. Then you need to come with a full bladder, the doctor will first examine the organs through the wall of the abdomen. Then it will be necessary to empty it, return to the office and undress below the belt.
After that, the doctor will put a condom on the sensor, lubricate it with gel and insert it into the vagina. There should be no pain during or after the study. Their presence suggests that there are some problems and this should be discussed with the doctor.
Vaginal ultrasound should be performed strictly at the time prescribed by the attending gynecologist. If this is a preventive examination, then on day 6 of the cycle. During menstruation, the study can not be carried out.
In order to diagnose early pregnancy and exclude the presence of the fetal egg outside the uterus, vaginal ultrasound is performed at 5 weeks. Timely diagnosis of this pathological condition allows you to carry out laparoscopy in time and save the woman's tubes.
Doing a vaginal ultrasound after 20 weeks of pregnancy is undesirable. It is carried out only with special indications, when the intended benefit exceeds the risk.
The study lasts about 10 minutes, at which time the patient needs to lie still, not move and not distract the doctor. Perhaps he will ask questions.
The specialist may be interested in when the last menstruation began, the regularity of the cycle, complaints, soreness and abundance of menstruation, the presence of spotting after and before them, as well as in the middle of the cycle. He, perhaps, will ask about the ongoing treatment, well-being.
After the ultrasound, the doctor will draw up a protocol, talk about what he saw and answer questions. It is better to conduct this study precisely with gynecologists, and not with doctors who look at all the organs.
Typically, such doctors work in maternity hospitals, antenatal clinics, specialized centers. They perform only ultrasound of the chest (chest) and pelvic organs.
Indications for their implementation are complaints of soreness, an irregular cycle, heavy menstruation, their absence, bleeding, infertility, miscarriage, discharge, control of treatment. Even if nothing bothers, an ultrasound scan must be done once a year.
Thus, vaginal ultrasound is the most common diagnostic procedure in gynecology. It is safe, informative, painless, does not require any preparation. Be sure to be carried out with complaints and annually as a prophylaxis of various gynecological diseases.