Transvaginal ultrasound is a type of ultrasound of the pelvis that is used to examine a woman's genital organs, including the uterus, ovaries, cervix and vagina. It is also called "transvaginal ultrasound" or "endovaginal ultrasound."
It is done through the vagina as the name implies ('trans' means by or through) and during pregnancy it is usually the first ultrasound used to detect or confirm pregnancy.
To perform a transvaginal ultrasound, the woman lies down on the gynecologist's chair or couch with her knees bent and her feet in the stirrups. The doctor inserts a probe ("transducer") covered with a condom and a gel that facilitates its introduction into the vagina.
The test is usually painless, although some women may experience mild discomfort from the pressure of the tube (only part of the tube is inserted). It is recommended to go as relaxed as possible, as in any gynecological exam, and without having a full bladder.
As with any ultrasound, the ultrasound technique is used, that is, the probe sends sound waves that reflect body structures and a computer receives them and uses them to create an image that we see on a monitor and can even be printed. As the probe moves within the area the pelvic organs can be observed.
There is a special method of transvaginal ultrasound, called ultrasound with saline infusion (SIS, for its acronym in English), also called echohysterography or hysteroecography, to visualize the uterus more clearly and that requires the placement of a saline solution inside the uterus before ultrasound. But this ultrasound It is not performed in pregnant women.
This is a very appropriate study to detect abnormalities in the ovaries when, for some reason, it is difficult to palpate these organs, as in the case of obese patients.
Reasons why transvaginal ultrasound is performed
Transvaginal ultrasound can be done to detect the following problems:
- Abnormal findings on a physical exam, such as cysts, fibroid tumors or other malignancies (abnormal cell proliferation)
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding and menstrual problems
- Certain types of infertility
- Pelvic pain
Transvaginal ultrasound is also used during pregnancy. for:
- Evaluate cases of spontaneous abortion threat
- Listen to a fetus's heartbeat
- Examine the placenta
- Search the cause of bleeding
- Monitor the growth of the embryo or fetus in early pregnancy
- See if the cervix is changing or opening when labor is starting early
- Check the normal values, for example if the pelvic structures or the fetus are normal.
Pregnancy problems that detect transvaginal ultrasound
Some problems or conditions that can be found through transvaginal ultrasound specifically in pregnant women They are:
- Ectopic pregnancy, the one that takes place outside the womb
- Presence of more than one fetus (twins, triplets, etc.)
- Miscarriage or natural abortion
- Placenta previa, when the placenta is inserted in the lower part of the uterus
- Placental abruption
- Problems with the growth of the baby or the level of fluid around it
- Short cervix, which increases the risk of premature delivery or late miscarriage
- Structural problems in the baby
- Pregnancy tumors, including gestational trophoblastic disease
Regarding the safety of transvaginal ultrasound, the probe does not come into contact with the fetus, so it is impossible to cause any damage. It is a method that has been used for several decades and so far has not generated any harm to the pregnant woman or the baby.
Definitely, Transvaginal ultrasound is an ultrasound examination that is usually performed during pregnancy and in various situations to observe the woman's genital organs and detect various problems or complications.
