Ultrasound is important at any stage of a woman’s life, but it becomes even more so for those who wish to get pregnant. To check if everything is in order within the reproductive system, there are several indispensable allies in medicine, including transvaginal ultrasound. Do you know why this exam helps so much for those who want to have a baby in the short or medium term? What is a transvaginal ultrasound and how is it done?
Ultrasound is a risk-free exam for women. It is performed using a device that emits fast and harmless waves. The waves pass through tissues surrounded by water and, when these waves encounter an obstacle, the device returns the waves in the form of images1. Therefore, it is effective and painless. Of course, as the name itself indicates, the exam is performed through the vagina (trans = inside + vaginal = vagina) using a long, round device with the wave emitter at the tip.
To avoid the spread of diseases and bacteria, the doctor covers the equipment with a new condom for each patient. To make it easier, a water-based gel is applied to help conduct the waves and also to facilitate the insertion of the device into the vagina. For the exam to be performed, the woman must lie down with her legs bent and apart. The exam is quick and painless. The main difference between an ultrasound performed through the abdomen and the transvaginal ultrasound involves the effectiveness in viewing the organs. It is important to highlight that virgin women do not undergo this type of exam.
As already mentioned, ultrasound can be performed at all stages of a woman’s life, especially for those trying to conceive as it allows ongoing monitoring of the body. For even more detailed monitoring, it is possible to use ovulation tests that will indicate if ovulation is approaching, occurring, or has finished. With this, you can plan your intercourse and thus increase your chances of pregnancy.
What Is Transvaginal Ultrasound For?
Transvaginal ultrasound is fundamental for checking the health of the female reproductive organs. This is because it provides an exact idea of the situation by visualizing the uterus, ovaries, cervix and, almost always, the fallopian tubes as well. Some of the problems that ultrasound can detect include:
Uterine morphology: With transvaginal ultrasound, it is possible to check if the uterus has any problems in its formation. Problems such as septate uterus, bicornuate uterus, didelphys uterus, among other conditions. Even issues with uterine height and thickness, ideal size (it can even detect possible infantile uterus in reproductive age), and problems with the cervix. A short cervix is a condition that can be problematic in case the woman becomes pregnant. It is also possible to check the position of the uterus: whether it is retroverted or inverted2.
Below is an exam performed via transvaginal method; however, we recommend this content for adults only, as it contains nudity scenes that may be disturbing.
Ovaries: If there is any problem with the ovaries, such as malformation or even polycystic ovaries3, it can be detected by transvaginal ultrasound. It is also possible to determine if ovulation has occurred in a given cycle, as well as how ovulation induction medications are working in this woman’s body, if that is the case. In fact, transvaginal ultrasound is very efficient when performed in sequence (serial ultrasound). This way, it is possible to detect exactly when the woman will ovulate by checking follicle size: measuring over 19mm up to a limit of 33mm, ovulation is likely, and after this size (33mm), the egg becomes unviable.
Endometrium: It is also possible to check the thickness of the endometrium with transvaginal ultrasound. If it is very thin, it is possible that menstruation has just ended or there has been no hormonal stimulation. If it is thick, secretory and trilaminar, pregnancy may occur. If it is thick with a dense appearance, menstruation will likely occur soon.
Transvaginal ultrasound can also detect problems such as uterine varicose veins, synechiae, presence of fluids that may indicate infection, endometrial polyps, fibroids, cervical thickness and other aspects.
For those wishing to get pregnant, other tests are also important. Pap smear, hormone tests, and even evaluation of possible discharge that may occur during the cycle. If there is itching and burning, it is best for the doctor to investigate thoroughly what is happening. The transvaginal ultrasound exam should be carried out periodically even if the woman does not want to become pregnant. In these cases, the aim is to keep the reproductive system healthy.
