Transvaginal ultrasound - any knowledgable types?

[Whysoserious]

I have just had an ultrasound due to having funny periods for the last few months.

I am now worried because when I asked whether they had seen anything the one nurse (a trainee sonographer who did the ultrasound) looked nervously at the other experienced lady, who then said "weeeeeeell...nothing to worry about but we can't tell you. Your doctor will have your results in 7 days and he will speak to you."

So now of course I am worried.

She told me that I had ovulated which is good. But is there something else there that's going to make it very difficult for me to conceive. I'm so worried now.

What sort of things are usually spotted in these. Cysts is an obvious one I suppose. I heard them talking about something being week. What could that be?

Any nice stories to keep my chin up about people who had something found on an ultrasound but went on to have a healthy baby?

I'm sorry I'm being very self indulgent but it has panicked me somewhat...

[KatAndKit]

It could be absolutely nothing. It could be just that the trainee is not allowed to communicate the results to you and only the doctor is allowed to talk about it. Otherwise surely the experienced lady would have taken over.

Possibilities otherwise might include cysts, a fibroid, signs of endometriosis etc.

I think the way they have communicated with you is not great though as it is fine if they can't tell you results, but they shouldn't start worrying you in the meantime.

I hope it is nothing to worry about.

[Stasi]

Could she have meant that she thought there was nothing for you to worry about, i.e. nothing wrong, but couldn't officially tell you that?

Sonographers cannot give you the all clear - it has to be reviewed by a doc first.

[LillianGish]

I agree with Stasi.

[bemybebe]

Do not read anything into this. Your descriptions of them ("nervously..." etc) is nothing but your interpretations of their behaviours, all whilst being nervous yourself.

I hate having u/s done by sonographers and not proper specialists because they do not tell me ANYTHING.

[bemybebe]

"Possibilities otherwise might include cysts, a fibroid, signs of endometriosis etc."

Thick/thin uterine lining or polyps. All perfectly treatable...

[AttilaTheMeerkat]

What do you mean by "funny periods"?.

Would not read anything untoward into this because a trainee like the person who did your u/s would not be able to tell you anything definate. Your scan pictures need to be passed onto a specialist.

The sonographer found polycystic ovaries and a uterine polyp on one of my many u/s and I am now a parent.

BTW endometriosis is not picked up on such scans.

[snuffaluffagus]

During my scan to check my ovaries (suspected pcos) at the end the lady said, well there's nothing urgent there so you can come back and get the results from the Doctor in a week. Obviously then I obsessed about there being "SOMETHING" there, even if non urgent..

Turns out I have a "bulky" left ovary (nothing to worry about in itself) but not pcos, so even if there is SOMETHING, it could be very minor. Try not to worry.

[VeronicaSpeedwell]

I've had quite a few ultrasounds for gynae stuff over the years and the people doing them have really varied in what they'll say. Certainly at the most recent I got only a vague general indication (as you have) and my GP had to give me the detailed report. It was actually better that way, as it was all typed up clearly and we could properly dicuss it, rather than trying to discuss it while I was all full of gel with damp tights. (If you want to know, I had fibroids, previously had a big ovarian dermoid cyst). Am now 12 weeks pg with my first, awaiting scan...).

Try not to worry (easier said than done, I know). I've always felt better for knowing what's going on, even if it presents some new things to think about.

[toomanyopinions]

Whysoserious, please try not to worry. Local protocol varies wildly. Where I work the official line is that we do not give results- even if normal. Some of us bend this rule depending on the situation. I always tell ladies if the scan is normal or if there is a simple cyst or fibroid for example and the lady seems 'sensible' enough to understand the results without a lengthy discussion (no room for such a luxury given scan time slots!) Pity really that the trainee said anything- she's caused you extra worry! All the best.
bemybebe...A Sonographer IS the only 'Proper Specialist' when it comes to Ultrasound...Your opinion is a very common miconception. Doctors who scan often do so with little expertise or knowledge of Ultrasound (often a 'see one, do one method' compared to Sonographers who following a Bsc in Radiography study Sonography for 1-3 years post Grad.

[Whysoserious]

Thanks for your replies ladies. I am going to put it all to the back of my mind until my doctor speaks to me about the results.

Knowing what is there will be a big help because I can get it sorted and get on with TTC.

My 'funny periods' are 4 days of dark dark brown (almost black) blood until proper period starts. A examination has shown that I have an ectropion which could be the cause but I have also been having some abdo pain. Possibly a cyst - we shall see.

toomanyopinions I forgot to ask them at the time but can you tell if someone has conceived this early on. I'm on day 26 and they confirmed that I have ovulated as I had a ruptured follicle - wondered if they could see whether there was any implantation / sperm meets egg action?

[bemybebe]

Thank you for explaining too. My perception was based on the experience with having "routine" investigative scans with sonographers (no results after the test) and more "in depth" scans with fetal cardiologist or obgyns, who carried out medican procedures if necessary (detailed explanation during the scan). But I noted your point!

[toomanyopinions]

Whysoserious, no way of telling so early but I shall keep my fingers crossed for you. Xx