Ultrasound examination (B-ultrasound), I believe everyone has done it, through B-ultrasound examination, some changes in the uterus can be seen, a project that most women will do for physical examination. However, B-ultrasound is not only for women, but also for men. Through B-ultrasound, internal organ changes can be seen more clearly. This type of B-ultrasound is generally abdominal B-ultrasound, and there is also a type called transvaginal ultrasound. Many people don’t quite understand what transvaginal ultrasound is, let me tell you today.
What is transvaginal ultrasound?
There are many types of B-ultrasound, the most common one is abdominal B-ultrasound, which involves sliding a probe on the abdomen to detect internal changes. When performing abdominal B-ultrasound, a sticky liquid is applied to the abdomen, called “coupling agent,” to isolate air, provide a buffering effect, prevent friction, and improve the clarity of internal changes.
The function of transvaginal ultrasound is similar to abdominal ultrasound, but the difference lies in the testing position, which is mostly done by women. It requires inserting the probe into the female body, placing it close to the ovaries and uterus. Therefore, compared to abdominal ultrasound, it can provide a clearer view of the changes in the uterus, as well as more accurate diagnosis of some gynecological issues.
What does transvaginal ultrasound check for?
Transvaginal ultrasound has a wide range of applications. It can locate tumors in the body and determine their nature. It can also provide clearer images for some inflammations, ambiguous positions, changes in the uterus, endometrial thickness, ovarian ovulation status (mature or immature), aiding in fertility. It can also detect ectopic pregnancies more clearly, minimizing unexpected incidents.
If you want to know if you are pregnant early on, transvaginal ultrasound can provide a more accurate diagnosis. For obese individuals with a higher amount of abdominal fat, abdominal ultrasound might not provide a clear view of changes in the uterus or ovaries. Choosing transvaginal ultrasound would be better, as it offers better imaging quality to observe internal changes more clearly.
Prior to undergoing transvaginal ultrasound, it is advised not to drink water and hold urine, which eliminates a step compared to abdominal ultrasound. However, it is important to note that this examination is not suitable for women during their menstrual period. It is best to undergo the examination about a week after menstruation starts, and to refrain from sexual activity in the last three days before the examination, as it can affect the test results.
If a woman’s body has infectious issues, it should be mentioned beforehand as transvaginal ultrasound is not suitable in such cases to prevent cross-infection. Also, it is not recommended for unmarried women who have not engaged in sexual activity to undergo transvaginal ultrasound, as it is mainly used for gynecological problems. For women who have not had sexual intercourse, there is usually no need for transvaginal ultrasound.
Both transvaginal ultrasound and abdominal ultrasound are used to detect internal changes, but transvaginal ultrasound is relatively more accurate. However, it has certain limitations and is not suitable for everyone. In special cases where a clearer understanding of internal changes is needed, transvaginal ultrasound can be used. Before undergoing the examination, measures should be taken to maintain cleanliness of the private area, conduct the test after menstruation, and avoid sexual activity with the partner in the previous three days for data accuracy.
