Transvaginal Ultrasound

Overview

Transvaginal ultrasound is used to evaluate a variety of abnormalities of the female genital tract. Some of these include the endometrium of women with infertility problems or abnormal bleeding; sources of unexplained pain; congenital malformations of the uterus and ovaries; ovarian tumors and cysts; possible pelvic infection; and causes of infertility.

Transvaginal ultrasound is also used during pregnancy to identify normal intra-uterine pregnancy; ectopic pregnancy; fetal heartbeat; and many abnormalities of the uterus, placenta, and associated pelvic structures that are incompletely seen with conventional transabdominal ultrasound.

Test Procedure

You will be lying down on a table. The transducer is a long probe that is covered with a condom and a sterile lubricant and inserted into the vagina. The healthcare provider will then move the probe within the vaginal cavity to scan the pelvic structures. The transducer is only about 1 inch in diameter and only the first two to three inches are inserted into the vagina.