My Real-Life Experience with a Transvaginal Ultrasound

Welcome to my story!

I'll never forget when I first learned about internal exams for women's reproductive systems during my first pregnancy in 2009. I had no idea what a transvaginal ultrasound was back then, and I never had one done. Instead, I always had abdominal ultrasounds through my belly wall as part of my gynecological check-ups.

It wasn't until 2023, when I was 40 years old, that my gynecologist decided to do a transvaginal ultrasound for the first time. I was a bit nervous about it, but it ended up being a game-changer for me.

Waiting for my first transvaginal ultrasound...How to prepare for a transvaginal ultrasound?

When my gynecologist told me that I'd need to come back for this ultrasound, she also mentioned that I'd need to bring a special condom. Yeah, you read that right – a condom! I picked one up at the pharmacy, and it was pretty cheap, around 15 to 20 rubles.

Ultrasound CondomI made sure to arrive at my appointment with an empty bladder and avoided eating any foods that could cause gas beforehand – think beans and the like. That's pretty much it for prep. It's recommended to schedule your transvaginal ultrasound around the 5-7 day mark of your cycle. If there are any specific indications, your doctor will let you know the exact days to come in for additional scans.

I went in at both the 5-7 day mark and closer to the end of my cycle before the start of the next one, as well as on the 9-12 day mark (day 11, to be exact).

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What the ultrasound machine looks like with the transvaginal probe.

Nothing too intimidating here. The ultrasound machine connects to the scanner, and the image appears on the screen. The transvaginal probe itself is a pretty straightforward, inside-out tube with a rounded tip.

On the photo below, the probe is on the left and installed in the second slot (right in the middle). A doctor will put a special condom on the probe, which they'll then cover with a gel for the exam.

I recently had an ultrasound at a private clinic in Bataysk on February 28, 2024. I've also had ultrasounds at my local polyclinic and another private clinic. At my local polyclinic, I brought my own blanket and a condom, but they didn't provide any. In contrast, the private clinic gave me a blanket, slippers, and a condom.Here are some photos of the ultrasound equipment at the private clinic, which I've included above. Below are some photos of the ultrasound room at the state polyclinic where I had my ultrasound, including the transvaginal ultrasound.

Ultrasound room at the Azovskaya district hospital

Ultrasound room at my local polyclinic

The transvaginal probe is quite long and expensive. This year, I had an ultrasound at a private clinic in Rostov and saw the ultrasound equipment in person. It had a second screen for the patient, which was a bit surreal. I didn't feel any fear or disgust, but it was unusual to see my internal world on the screen. The doctor was commenting on what she was seeing, and I could ask her questions and get answers.

January 2025 in Rostov-on-Don, a private gynecological clinic I had an ultrasound scan at the regional hospital in Rostov this year, and the equipment was similar to what I'm used to at my local hospital, minus the extra screen for the patient. The only difference was that I didn't need to bring a condom - the hospital provided one for me (which was a surprise). Adult Regional Clinical Hospital, Rostov-on-Don, 05.02.25What can you see/diagnose with a transvaginal sensor?

I've taken this information from the internet - it's easier to understand than trying to explain it in my own words:

Using a transvaginal ultrasound, a doctor evaluates the condition and structure of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina, as well as the bladder. The diagnosis allows for the identification of pathological changes and the prescription of relevant treatment.

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Cost of diagnosis.

At my local hospital, I got the ultrasound scan covered by my insurance, so I didn't pay anything. In private clinics, where I've been, this type of ultrasound scan costs between 2300 and 2500 rubles.

In one of the private clinicsAt the regional hospital, you can get a free or policy-covered ultrasound of your female reproductive organs once a month, and anything else will cost you at the cash desk. I do want to mention that the transvaginal ultrasound at the regional hospital is cheaper than at a private clinic, even when it's bundled with an abdominal ultrasound.

On the first floor of the adult regional hospital

At the regional hospital, it's a comprehensiveWill it hurt?

For a transvaginal exam, you'll need to undress to your waist, remove your underwear, and lie down on your back with your legs spread apart on the examination table, with a sheet underneath you. I always wear a skirt or dress that falls below my knees for this, it's just more comfortable for me – I don't have to stand there with my bum completely exposed when I take off my tights and underwear.

Sometimes the doctor will ask you to clench your fists under your lower back, which helps you lift up a bit, and then they'll take a look at what needs to be looked at.

The exam itself takes around 10 minutes.

My first transvaginal ultrasound experience was a bit tough to get through mentally. While I was waiting in line, I was reading up on transvaginal ultrasound reviews and what people generally say about it. The subsequent ultrasounds weren't as daunting for me. It wasn't painful, just a bit uncomfortable that something's poking around down there. But the calm conversation with the doctors I saw made the experience more bearable.

I did have one instance where it was unexpectedly painful, and I even let out a little yelp from the discomfort. That happened recently in February at the regional hospital when I had to go for a transvaginal ultrasound on the 11th day of my cycle. Since I have endometriosis, my discharge lasts almost two weeks. So, I went to the ultrasound as recommended by my gynecologist, and there was still something coming out from there. That's when I got a bit flustered and felt awkward about how I showed up... There wasn't much discharge left by then, but it was still a bit uncomfortable. The doctor reassured me that if it needed to be done, then it was necessary. She gave me a thin blue hospital sheet to put under me, and I added an extra layer of my own cloth on top. It wasn't until later that I realized I should've used a different type of sheet, like the one I mentioned earlier. But I had grabbed the cloth by habit when I was getting ready to go to the hospital for the ultrasound and then to see my gynecologist. Maybe because there was still some discharge coming out, it hurt me at the time.

After the ultrasound, I usually wipe the sensitive area with damp wipes and then put on underwear and the rest. It's obvious that at home you wash up, but before taking a shower, there are no unpleasant sensations after the transvaginal ultrasound, nothing's itchy or bothering me down there.

Getting the results.

The ultrasound results are handed to you in person on the same day after the procedure.

Results...In private clinics, the ultrasound results are printed on an A4 sheet of paper, and the doctor probably prints out a photo too.

Ultrasound results from private clinicsIn the regional hospital, they only printed out the photo once, and the result was printed on a regular A4 sheet of paper.

Results from the regional hospitalIn my local polyclinic, there were no photos, and the result sheet was smaller, roughly A5 size.

Results from the local clinicI've gotta say, the approach of the specialist you're working with is a big deal, just like with any medical procedure. Their ability to read the results, and the kind of feedback they give you during and after the exam, makes a huge difference. I've got a fibroid and endometriosis, but the doc in the private clinic barely mentioned it to me, and the other doctors didn't say anything at all. Same thing with the endometriosis - another gynecologist in a private clinic told me about it based on the ultrasound results, but she asked if I knew I had it first, and showed me what to look for.

Now I've found a gynecologist who I really like - her approach to treatment is a breath of fresh air compared to the other docs I've seen (phew) in the private clinics. I'm due for another ultrasound soon, and it's a really important procedure for women - it's a great diagnostic tool and helps with treatment for women's health issues...

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✅ My experience with the ultrasound was totally positive, so don't be afraid of the procedure. I hope my experience can be helpful to you in some way.

Thanks for reading. Stay healthy.

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I've been fine for over a year now after the procedure - I can say that and that's it, periodical check-ups only.My first time at the doctor's office in my 40s was for a routine mammogram.I've had DMT therapy as part of my osteochondrosis treatment - it's not just easy, but also a pleasant procedure.Visiting the CT scanner was a bit scary, but we managed to get through it.