Transvaginal ultrasound is a type of pelvic ultrasound. It is used to look at a woman's reproductive organs, including the uterus, ovaries, cervix, and vagina. Transvaginal means across or through the vagina.
See also: Pregnancy ultrasound
Alternative NamesEndovaginal ultrasound; Ultrasound - transvaginal; Sonohysterography; Hysterosonography; Saline infusion sonography; SIS
How the test is performedYou will lie down on a table with your knees bent and feet in holders called stirrups. The health care provider will place a probe, called a transducer, into the vagina. The probe is covered with a condom and a gel. The probe sends out sound waves, which reflect off body structures. A computer receives these waves and uses them to create a picture. The doctor can immediately see the picture on a nearby TV monitor.
The health care provider will move the probe within the area to see the pelvic organs. This test can be used during pregnancy.
In some cases, a special transvaginal ultrasound method called saline infusion sonography (SIS), also called sonohysterography or hysterosonography, may be needed to more clearly view the uterus.
This test requires saline (sterile salt water) to be placed into the uterus before the ultrasound. The saline helps outline any abnormal masses, so the doctor can get a better idea of their size.
SIS is not done on pregnant women.
How to prepare for the testYou will be asked to undress, usually from the waist down. A transvaginal ultrasound is done with your bladder empty.
How the test will feelThe test is usually painless, although some women may have mild discomfort from the pressure of the probe. Only a small part of the probe is placed into the vagina.
Why the test is performedTransvaginal ultrasound can help diagnose the cause of certain types of infertility, pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, and menstrual problems. It can show the lining of the uterus (endometrium). The test may reveal:
Transvaginal ultrasound is also used during pregnancy to monitor the growth of the fetus, listen to the unborn baby's heart beat, and to check for ectopic pregnancy and other potential problems.
Normal ValuesThe pelvic structures or fetus are normal.
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results meanAn abnormal result may be due to many conditions. Some problems that may be seen include:
Some problems or conditions that may be found specifically in pregnant women include:
There are no known harmful effects of transvaginal ultrasound on humans.
Unlike traditional x-rays, there is no radiation exposure with this test.
ReferencesKatz VL. Diagnostic procedures: Imaging, edometrial sampling, endoscopy: Indication and contraindications, complications. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa : Mosby Elsevier; 2007: chap 11.
Goldstein RB. Saline Infusion Sonohysterography. Ultrasound Clin. April 2006; 1(2); 385-414.
Goldstein SR. Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: The Role of Ultrasound. Radiol Clin North Am. November 2006; 44(6); 901-910.
Transvaginal ultrasound is a type of pelvic ultrasound. It is used to look at a woman's reproductive organs, including the uterus, ovaries, cervix, and vagina. Transvaginal means across or through the vagina.
See also: Pregnancy ultrasound
Alternative NamesEndovaginal ultrasound; Ultrasound - transvaginal; Sonohysterography; Hysterosonography; Saline infusion sonography; SIS
How the test is performedYou will lie down on a table with your knees bent and feet in holders called stirrups. The health care provider will place a probe, called a transducer, into the vagina. The probe is covered with a condom and a gel. The probe sends out sound waves, which reflect off body structures. A computer receives these waves and uses them to create a picture. The doctor can immediately see the picture on a nearby TV monitor.
The health care provider will move the probe within the area to see the pelvic organs. This test can be used during pregnancy.
In some cases, a special transvaginal ultrasound method called saline infusion sonography (SIS), also called sonohysterography or hysterosonography, may be needed to more clearly view the uterus.
This test requires saline (sterile salt water) to be placed into the uterus before the ultrasound. The saline helps outline any abnormal masses, so the doctor can get a better idea of their size.
SIS is not done on pregnant women.
How to prepare for the testYou will be asked to undress, usually from the waist down. A transvaginal ultrasound is done with your bladder empty or partially filled.
How the test will feelThe test is usually painless, although some women may have mild discomfort from the pressure of the probe. Only a small part of the probe is placed into the vagina.
Why the test is performedTransvaginal ultrasound may be done for the following problems:
Transvaginal ultrasound is also used during pregnancy to:
The pelvic structures or fetus are normal.
Note: Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What abnormal results meanAn abnormal result may be due to many conditions. Some problems that may be seen include:
Some problems or conditions that may be found specifically in pregnant women include:
There are no known harmful effects of transvaginal ultrasound on humans.
Unlike traditional x-rays, there is no radiation exposure with this test.
ReferencesKatz VL. Diagnostic procedures: Imaging, edometrial sampling, endoscopy: Indication and contraindications, complications. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa : Mosby Elsevier; 2007: chap 11.
Bradley L. Menstrual dysfunction. Women's health. In: Carey WD, ed. Cleveland Clinic: Current Clinical Medicine 2010. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2010:section 14.
Lobo RA. Infertility: etiology, diagnostic evaluation, management, prognosis. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier;2007:chap 41.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 09/11/2010
Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, WA; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
not enough field of view on transvaginal scan
I just went in today. I had a pelvic exam and then she she gave me a transvaginal. She did the pelvic ultrasound first, then she told me to go and emptyy out my bladder to do the transvaginal
The sounds they measure and listen to when doing a transvaginal ultrasound and tell you you are not pregnant are ultrasounds.
Yes it can
Since no ionizing radiation is associated with transvaginal ultrasound, there has been no documented adverse effects on patients or their fetuses with the use of the procedure.
You could see a heartbeat if they do a transvaginal ultrasound.
Yes, 100%.
Transvaginal ultrasound (sonogram)
CPT Code 76830 : Ultrasound, transvaginal
A transvaginal ultrasound would not see a lost tampon. Tampons can't get lost in the pelvis. A speculum exam would tell you whether there was a tampon in your vagina.
Studies have shown that ultrasound is not hazardous and has no harmful side effects.
Fibroids