transvaginal ultrasouund

I know I am being really silly, but I am scheduled to get a transvaginal ultrasound and just the thought of it really bothers me! I have had many horrible tests done to me ( one even involved being stuck with pins in my vagina) but for some reason when I read about this test it bothered me. Please tell me it is not so bad!
Thanks, Judith

How graphic do you want me to be? I'll try to keep this 'politically correct' yet accurate. Of course it helps that I've assisted doctors with these and with trans-rectal sonograms on men for prostate cancer. Here goes.

You go in & lay on the exam table like for any vaginal exam. The tech (or doc) comes in, gloves up, and puts a condom on the instrument (this helps keep it sanitary for future uses, although it does get cleaned thoroughly between patients, as well). Generally, there are actually 2 condoms involved. One tiny one (aka a 'fingercot') goes on first. Then some lubricant, the same stuff they squirt on your tummy to do abdominal ultrasounds. Next, a normal sized condom, then they usually put some on the very outside, to aid in insertion.

Sounds complicated, and this is all technical mumbo-jumbo, but you might like to know, since you asked.

OK, then the instrument (condomed & lubed) is GENTLY inserted into your vagina. Have you ever played with a 'toy'? Very similar feeling. Now understandably all men are NOT created equal, but in most respects, the instrument is SMALLER than your partner! So fear not, it should not cause undue pain or distress. Sorry to be graphic, just trying to help.

The doc (or tech) may move the instrument around a little, point it (inside you) at various things like to each side for the ovaries, etc. They may slide it in or out a bit, but trust me, there is absolutely no sexual atmosphere about it at all. You just lay there and try not to think about it, and try to relax. If you tense up, you could possibly experience some pain.

With my recent cyst (thus my TAH/LSO on 5/3) I had my 2nd vaginal ultrasound (1st was during pregnancy) and did not feel any discomfort or pain at all. It is rather humiliating, knowing what a complete stranger is doing to you, but trust me (and I do have medical experience), the docs, techs, & nurses do not think of these things as anything more than a medical test. This is one case where you are glad to let them think of you as "just a number", not a person!

Any further questions? I probably left something unanswered, despite my efforts. Ask away, I'm here.

Hi Squid
I had two transvaginal ultrasounds. To me they where pretty much like a normal GYN exam. They stick a spectulum shaped monitor in you and move it around and take pictures. The second one hurt a little bit because they were unable to find my left ovary and they had to dig to find it. It probably didn't help that by that time I was in continual pain by then. If you have any questions ask your DD for a detailed discription of what they do. Good Luck and let us know what you find out.

I have had more pain with a vaginal exam than with the transvaginal ultrasound. Just relax and let the tech do their job. You will be fine. I understand how you feel, I felt the same way before mine.

I've had my share of these wonderful things......at my docs office, they have a photo of richard gere or tom cruise on the ceiling, which I suppose is meant to be funny. I told them, it really doesn't help much.....LOL

The instrument is fairly narrow, and shouldn't hurt at all unless they have to "dig" as someone above put it, to find what they have to photograph.

The sono they can do this way is so much clearer since it goes through less tissue. It is worth it, because the only other way to see these organs as clearly is surgically. Take a deep breath, and maybe have some advil handy in case it bothers you at all, you may want to ask if you should take some afterward if it turns out to be fairly "involved". It won't be any worse than a normal pelvic.

Once when I was having significant pain, my doc gave me a darvocet a half hour before the sono. This was a severe case though, usually they don't want you to have any kind of "prophylactic" pain control, but you sure can take something after if it hurts at all. You will probably be surprised at how painless it is, it will be over so quick. The main thing that bothers me is the tube and a half of lube they use, you never can seem to get all that stuff wiped off. LOL

Good Luck

Mary aka Tino

Yes, it's not as bad as it sounds. When I had mine done there was a tech AND a nurse present. Everything was very professional. I had them turn the screen my direction so I could see what they were seeing.
Actually, I took the opportunity to ask questions--this made things a little more comfortable (it worked for me at least).
The main thing is to relax, though. They did a little "digging" for my left ovary, too. But that was the only uncomfortable thing about it.
You'll be fine. Good luck.

BunnyLady
TAH/BSO and fibroids
5-10-2001

:dragon:

Hi there. I am a new sister to this site and I am also a sonographer. When I perform these exams I am solely interested in your health. Our goal as sonographers is to provide the radiologist/gynecologist with the best images of your anatomy as possible and to do the exam in the most comfortable fashion as possible. I consider my patients as a sister is the travels of womanhood and look for the information that the dr. needs to help you in your particular situation. Be assured this is truly a professional exam.

I describe the probe as an oversized tampon with a long handle. It is my "flashlight" to look inside - like standing at the opening of a cave and looking around with a flashlight. It is rarely painful and usually only uncomfortable when we get near to the ovaries. They are tender little babies and sensitive to the touch. It you have any other pathology - fibroids, ovarian cysts, etc. - these, too, may be sensitive but should not painful.

I hope you will be able to relax and trust your sonographer to do the best she can do for you. Ask questions about what she is doing and she should be happy to share with you. I love to show my patients their anatomy and what it all looks like. However, respect her position and know that even though we know what we are looking at we are unable to relay that information to you because we don't have M.D. behind our names.

I wish I could do your exam for you and have you leave with good thoughts and feelings about the exam process but I will trust your sonographer to do her best for you.

Let me know how it goes. I am sure you will be just fine.

I had this procedure done last week. I have large fibroids (softball and baseball size) and it did not hurt. I got a bit uncomfortable when they pressed on the fibroids and had to search for the ovaries, but I wouldn't call it painful at all. My tech sat to my side in front of the monitor and explained things to me. She let me insert the instrument myself, then she took over. I had a sheet over a good part of me too (this always makes me feel better for some reason). She told me to put it like a large tampon. If you are having an external ultrasound at the same time, you'll have to drink a lot before the exam; but before the internal exam, they will let you urinate. You really can relax about this one.

Diane

I have had 3 ultrasounds. They did external and internal. I think the worst part was the external because you have to drink about 40 oz of water before you get there then they push and the only thing you think about is wanting to go to the bathroom. The internal part was okay. The worst thing is not having had experienced it before. I too have had more "pain" during a vaginal exam. There may be some tenderness when the tech needs to probe futher to find what they are looking for, but that happened during the external ultrasound also. Relax, try. It really isn't as bad as it may sound.

Linda

I agree with Maylei, it wasn't bad at all. The external was more uncomfortable than the internal, due to a very full bladder! It was actually interesting when she did the internal, I got to watch the pictures on my own little TV! I'm loaded with fibroids the size of golfballs, it's amazing how well defined they are in the pictures. Great to finally get proof! sue