Endo transvaginal ultrasound

[Clay90]

Hi I've recently tried to have a transvaginal ultrasound. I've never had sex but used tampons, so the gyno said I might be able to handle it.

It was horrible and I couldn't finish it, he had to change to just doing it over my abdomen(which isn't as good a picture 🙄) even just the exam before trying with the wand was excruciating. He said this could be because I haven't had sex but surely not. I expected it to be uncomfortable or even painful but no way near what I felt. Has anyone felt this. Any tips to try again before going straight to a laparoscopy which is expensive as I've paid private so I get seen. Thanks.

[S0nrisa]

I’m sorry you had that experience. I was also referred for a TV ultrasound and couldn’t tolerate it due to pain. The person doing the scan suggested I don’t be referred for one again and instead carried out an abdominal ultrasound. That found nothing and I’m back to square one. I hope you get the support you need and deserve.

[RosieFalkor]

I would just go straight to laparoscopy if you can. I had 7 vaginal US before they found anything suggesting Endo. My laparoscopy found Stage 4 Endo including on my bowel, bladder and diaphragm.

[Cailleach]

The pain may be due to where your endo is situated as well as your not having had sex.

Have you asked about an MRI scan before going to laparoscopy?

[hannah11]

I think it was wrong of your doctor to blame the pain on the fact you've not been sexually active. It could have been lots of things: size of wand, your pelvic floor is tight or just straight up the fact that you have a disease which causes inflammation and pain. To blame it on the fact you've never had sex is minimising your experience, it's not supposed to be unbearably painful!

I also find TV scans painful, and something that helped me was asking if I could guide the wand in myself , taking my time to breathe through the pain and then letting him begin the scan when I was ready. I also requested the smallest wand. Bodies come in all shapes and sizes and some wands are simply to big for some people.

It could also be possible to be sedated when having the examination (esp if youre funding yourself, they might have some flexibility with this) so that might be something to look into?

You could also see a pelvic physio to have your pelvic floor assessed and see if there are any exercises that can help loosen things to make examinations easier.

But tbh, TV scans are not sophisticated enough to pick up all endo anyway so it would be a really big shame to go through all this pain and stress having a scan, only for it to show nothing. And even if endo does show up on scan, treatment would be a lap anyway.

I'm so sorry you went through that. It is common so don't feel alone. Sending you hugs, I hope the next time is easier!

[N_12]

hey I had the same issue then I had laparoscopy. Best to have a Laparoscopy to get to the bottom of what’s wrong. Other test Endo doesn’t really show up unless it’s stage 4.

[pinkandgreengirl]

Im so sorry that it was painful i just had my first today and i found it super painful too the only thing i can suggest is i brought a hot water bottle which helped a bit to relax my muscles, eventually they managed to do it and it felt a lot more bearable for me once the wand was in. It isn’t supposed to be painful and don’t feel any pressure to try again, plus ultrasounds often don’t show endo so laparoscopic surgery would be a good thing to do to. i hope all goes well