Timely diagnosis is the key to health, and everyone should understand the importance of contacting the right specialist. With a gynecologist, each treatment has a very specific character, but regular visits to a specialist can prevent various unpleasant diseases. Sometimes dangerous diseases do not even have symptoms, in such cases the problem can be detected through modern diagnostic methods, which include transvaginal ultrasound.
The procedure under the gun
Modern gynecology offers patients a range of accurate and completely safe research methods. Among them, transvaginal ultrasound is not the last place. But for some reason, this phrase of many women is repelled by its obscurity. The whole thing is a lack of awareness and some prejudices regarding this procedure. To eliminate unnecessary doubts, it is worth understanding the features of this method. The essence is already in the name. Transvaginal ultrasound is not very different from traditional sonography. The tissues are also affected by ultrasonic waves, which are reflected from objects and are fixed by a special sensor. Then comes the transformation of the reflection of waves into images. The clarity of the picture largely depends on the number of layers overcome by the waves. In the process, a vaginal sensor is used, which is inserted into the vagina and contacts the organs under investigation as closely as possible. The main advantage of this method of research before ultrasound through the abdominal wall is to obtain the most high-quality and clear image. Thus, the smallest and most insignificant deviations from the norm can be detected.
There is evidence
We can say that transvaginal ultrasound allows you to identify those diseases that do not yet have any symptoms. Therefore, with the help of ultrasound, early diagnosis in gynecology and urology is acceptable. But if there are no symptoms, then why and when should you resort to a similar method? Indications are pain in the lower abdomen, and of any intensity. This may indicate diseases of the pelvic organs. An alarming bell is a malfunction of the menstrual cycle with characteristic heavy bleeding or, on the contrary, with a complete absence of secretions, as well as with irregular, excessively painful and long periods. It is also worth contacting a doctor for discomfort in the lower abdomen during intercourse.
Special article
But, in addition to all of the above, there is another important point that you need to contact the ultrasound department. This is a diagnosis of the causes of infertility in women. Transvaginal pelvic ultrasound is one of the few methods to visually assess the patency of the fallopian tubes. As a rule, the examination is carried out with a dynamics of several days. This is necessary in order to track the process of formation, growth and opening of the follicle in the ovaries. Examination will help determine the size of the follicles and their number in the ovaries. If the data is unsatisfactory, then the doctor will prescribe a course of vitamins, medical manipulations based on the results or recommend a closer look at artificial insemination. By the way, transvaginal pelvic ultrasound is relevant for the control of artificial insemination. By the way, for those women who are very expecting a pregnancy, a strong chagrin is the suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy. So this method with great reliability helps to determine the localization of the fetus.
It is worth saying a few words about the importance of the method. With it, you can exercise control over various methods of contraception, whether it be a spiral or a vaginal ring, and also monitor the effect of contraceptives on the condition of the endometrium. The method helps to confirm or refute suspicions of tumor changes, which is extremely important for early diagnosis of the disease, when timely intervention not only saves the patient's life, but also her chances of motherhood.
Why yes"?
The procedure, according to doctors, is safe, but nevertheless, transvaginal ultrasound of the uterus is no longer done at a certain time. It seems to women that such penetration inside can harm the baby or provoke a tone of the uterus. In fact, the method is harmless, but still relevant only for the first trimester. Further, pregnancy management can be carried out already with the usual abdominal method, which is more comfortable for the woman herself. According to doctors and patients, there are several weighty arguments to do transvaginal ultrasound during pregnancy. Firstly, pregnancy can be diagnosed in the early stages, but when examined through the abdominal wall, the doctor may doubt the location of the fetal egg. Secondly, multiple pregnancy can be determined in this way. Thirdly, this is an indispensable way to identify an ectopic pregnancy, and with timely diagnosis, the necessary operation will minimize trauma to the tissue and the woman’s ability to conceive will remain. Fourth, this method is able to detect the first signs of pathology of the nervous and vascular system of the fetus, which is extremely important in the first trimester. The fifth argument in favor of such a study will be the most reliable information on the condition of the endometrium and chorion, on the basis of which the placenta is formed in the future, as well as the early detection of the slightest symptoms of miscarriage. Such information allows you to take action in time and keep the pregnancy.
How is the procedure going?
In order for the slightest doubt in the rationality of such a study to disappear, it is worth understanding the algorithm for its implementation. So, how is an ultrasound of the pelvic organs performed? Transvaginal examination involves exposure of the lower body. So a woman will have to undress to the waist and lie on the couch with a small pillow under her belt. Legs should be bent at the knees and try to pull to yourself. The doctor settles in his legs and puts a special disposable condom on the sensor for hygiene purposes. The sensor is now carefully inserted into the vagina. This does not hurt, since the tube is only 3 cm in diameter and 12 cm long. There is often a channel for a biopsy needle inside the sensor. The sensor is not inserted deeply and does not cause discomfort, but in the process the doctor moves him a little and this is felt.
Be ready!
Global training is not required for pelvic ultrasound. A transvaginal examination involves emptying the colon. There are no obvious contraindications, but this is best done for your own comfort. Sometimes an enema is needed to empty the intestines. Excessive gas may also interfere with the study. So before the procedure, you need to slightly adjust the menu, namely, limit dairy products, soda, sweets, fried foods and some vegetables. Some medications may help in the fight against flatulence. If an ultrasound is performed through the abdominal wall, the doctor may recommend filling the bladder immediately before the procedure. For patients, this moment can cause severe discomfort. By the way, many girls are wondering if sex is allowed before the procedure. If such a restriction is appropriate when taking smears, then sex does not affect the results of ultrasound the day before.
When to conduct a study?
Is there a period when transvaginal pelvic ultrasound is best done? It is always better to find out the exact information on this matter from your doctor, as the time is selected depending on what the research aims. In general, several recommendations can be made. So to confirm endometriosis, you need to carry out the procedure in the second half of the cycle. If a woman plans to conceive or wants to determine the causes of infertility, then transvaginal ultrasound is performed in dynamics. The timing may vary slightly depending on the length of the menstrual cycle, but it is best done three times. For example, on the 10th, 15th and 23rd day of the cycle. And if, for example, a woman is worried about bleeding, then it’s impossible to hesitate with the diagnosis, as the disease may require immediate treatment. Any routine procedure is carried out immediately after the end of menstruation.
Interpret the results
If you do a pelvic ultrasound transvaginally, you can quickly and accurately diagnose a number of pathologies, or just make sure of your own health. All women are interested in the results of such a study. The picture of ultrasound changes with various diseases and it is more effective to check your health in dynamics. But in any case, do not try to interpret the results yourself, as they are absolutely individual for each woman. During the study, the work of the internal genital organs of a woman is evaluated, which include the uterus, ovaries, cervix and fallopian tubes, as well as the genitourinary system. By the way, it is impossible to consider the fallopian tubes without the introduction of a special fluid. Therefore, for this purpose, a contrast solution is required. At the same time, the amount of free fluid in the lower abdomen is being studied. When examining the uterus, it is important that its contours are clear and even. Deviation speaks of inflammatory processes.
On a note
Most often, women do transvaginal ultrasound during pregnancy in order to examine important organs in the immediate vicinity. But for girls who do not live an intimate life, this method of research is not available, since there is a great danger of damage to the hymen. For such a special transabdominal or transrectal sensor is used.