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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

Transvaginal ultrasound/fertility - anxious!

26 replies

HayMay · 11/02/2022 18:51

Hey all.

So tomorrow I have a transvaginal ultrasound - my Dr has sent me for it, presumably to check for PCOS as although my periods frequent, the length can vary sometimes by up to 5 days but I have not had a period since having the booster jab and then Covid on 23rd Dec.

Has anyone else had this done via the NHS and know what they will tell me/what else they look for, if anything? I’m also being sent for blood tests but just wondered if they will analyse the ultrasound in more depth than just the PCOS checking? Feeling nervous!

Thank you so much!
X

OP posts:
BabyFeb22 · 11/02/2022 19:01

I had to have one of these when they thought I had the same. It sounds horrendous but honestly wasn't that bad- the worst part for me was the whole 'try and relax' which of course as soon as someone says that you tense up! The person doing it was so patient and lovely and really made sure I felt okay and not in any pain, I know it sounds daft but she just had a normal conversation with me about what I was doing at the weekend and it really calmed me down- there was no pain and it a lot better than I expected as I'd stressed myself up!

BabyFeb22 · 11/02/2022 19:02

She also told me as going what she saw, if the person doing it doesn't I'd ask as she did say 'I can't 100% until it's fully checked but..' type thing that really helped

Original poster
HayMay · 11/02/2022 19:11

@BabyFeb22

She also told me as going what she saw, if the person doing it doesn't I'd ask as she did say 'I can't 100% until it's fully checked but..' type thing that really helped
Thank you so much; this has put my mind at ease a bit!!

Typically I'm ovulating right now too - this won't impact that will it?! I can't see how it would reading up on the procedure but who knows!!

X

OP posts:
lakejupiter · 11/02/2022 19:25

Commenting because I'm in the same boat - have suspected PCOS after blood tests and have an ultrasound booked in for next week. Fingers Xed for you OP - I'm curious as to what they look for/how much detail they go into

Original poster
HayMay · 11/02/2022 19:31

@lakejupiter

Commenting because I'm in the same boat - have suspected PCOS after blood tests and have an ultrasound booked in for next week. Fingers Xed for you OP - I'm curious as to what they look for/how much detail they go into
I'll let you know how I get on tomorrow, hope you get on okay next week too! Dr has asked for me to go for blood tests on CD5 and CD21 but waiting foreverrrr for my cycle to come after having the booster and Covid, arghh!! Xx
OP posts:
thislittlebird · 11/02/2022 19:36

I’ve had lots of them because we’re doing IVF and I was worried the first time. It really is fine though, better than a smear in my opinion, they use lube on the wand and its quite quick too. They look at your uterus, the follicles on your ovary, check for cysts or fibroids etc and they’ll usually tell you what they see and sometimes show you the screen. They’re really not as bad as they sound, OP.

Rachaelrachael · 11/02/2022 19:41

I had this loads of times when we did IVF. It's nothing to worry about at all, doesn't hurt and is nowhere near as uncomfortable as a smear test.

Original poster
HayMay · 11/02/2022 19:43

@thislittlebird

I’ve had lots of them because we’re doing IVF and I was worried the first time. It really is fine though, better than a smear in my opinion, they use lube on the wand and its quite quick too. They look at your uterus, the follicles on your ovary, check for cysts or fibroids etc and they’ll usually tell you what they see and sometimes show you the screen. They’re really not as bad as they sound, OP.
Really helpful, thanks for your response and putting my mind at ease! x
OP posts:
Original poster
HayMay · 11/02/2022 19:44

@thislittlebird

I’ve had lots of them because we’re doing IVF and I was worried the first time. It really is fine though, better than a smear in my opinion, they use lube on the wand and its quite quick too. They look at your uterus, the follicles on your ovary, check for cysts or fibroids etc and they’ll usually tell you what they see and sometimes show you the screen. They’re really not as bad as they sound, OP.
PS, wishing you all the best on your journey too x
OP posts:
Original poster
HayMay · 11/02/2022 19:45

@Rachaelrachael

I had this loads of times when we did IVF. It's nothing to worry about at all, doesn't hurt and is nowhere near as uncomfortable as a smear test.
Thank you for helping to put my mind at rest x
OP posts:
inheritancetrack · 11/02/2022 19:55

Less nasty than a smear test. In fact not bad at all

TheBirdintheCave · 11/02/2022 20:00

I found it really interesting! In the last one I had when we were prepping for the round of IVF that we ultimately didn’t need I saw the egg that is now sleeping upstairs :)

EmeraldIsleGal · 11/02/2022 20:13

It's fine honestly a smear is more uncomfortable and intrusive

GuidingSpirit · 11/02/2022 20:32

Ive had lots of these - firstly when i was diagnosed with PCOS around 7 years ago and then last year when we did Letrozole + ovulation tracking to conceive DD.

As pp have said, i find smears more uncomfortable. At my first loads of scans, they also checked for endo. It took about 5mins tops - the most uncomfortable part was that DH and i had arranged to go for lunch afterwards and i hadn't got all the lube cleaned up properly... (tmi sorry!) 🙈🙈

I found wearing a loose midi dress the most comfortable - then i could lift it up around my waist and whip my undies off. I hate getting dressed and undressed for scans. For my ovulation tracking, i was having them every 3 days so i had a seamless routine going to avoid missing too much work!

Original poster
HayMay · 11/02/2022 21:14

@TheBirdintheCave

I found it really interesting! In the last one I had when we were prepping for the round of IVF that we ultimately didn’t need I saw the egg that is now sleeping upstairs :)
Ahh how lovely!! This actually made me well up! Fingers crossed they talk me through it as they're doing it then! xx
OP posts:
Original poster
HayMay · 11/02/2022 21:16

@GuidingSpirit

Ive had lots of these - firstly when i was diagnosed with PCOS around 7 years ago and then last year when we did Letrozole + ovulation tracking to conceive DD.

As pp have said, i find smears more uncomfortable. At my first loads of scans, they also checked for endo. It took about 5mins tops - the most uncomfortable part was that DH and i had arranged to go for lunch afterwards and i hadn't got all the lube cleaned up properly... (tmi sorry!) 🙈🙈

I found wearing a loose midi dress the most comfortable - then i could lift it up around my waist and whip my undies off. I hate getting dressed and undressed for scans. For my ovulation tracking, i was having them every 3 days so i had a seamless routine going to avoid missing too much work!

Great advice re the clothing, thank you! Also re the lube, haha! That made me laugh! Xx
OP posts:
jowly · 11/02/2022 21:26

Hi OP .The first time I had one of these I wasn't expecting it, or had even heard of it. Imagine my face ShockBlush
It was absolutely fine, and I've had a couple since. As others have said, loads less uncomfortable than a smear, and as they don't actually ferret around down there looking at your bits it's far less intrusive.

Good luck.

Angrymum22 · 11/02/2022 21:28

Trans virginal is far more comfortable than abdominal from my experience. Th probe is quite thin an they use plenty of lube. But best of all you need an empty bladder so you don’t have to drink gallons of water. The sonographer is really gentle. It usually gives a much better view.

fungibletoken · 12/02/2022 09:19

I had one at 16/17 for suspected (ultimately confirmed) PCOS. Didn't know what to expect at all but like others said, it went very quickly and really wasn't uncomfortable (much better than subsequent smears!). Seem to recall I had to change into a gown and made a tit out of myself by lying on my front on the bed, with my bare bum out. Poor lady stuttered that I needed to roll over 😅 good tip from a PP about wearing a skirt/dress that you can just hoik up! All the best, OP Flowers

Original poster
HayMay · 12/02/2022 14:41

@lakejupiter

Commenting because I'm in the same boat - have suspected PCOS after blood tests and have an ultrasound booked in for next week. Fingers Xed for you OP - I'm curious as to what they look for/how much detail they go into
Sadly not much to report on todays ultrasound... I tried asking questions and she just said 'your doctor will talk you through your results' - she wouldn't even tell me the things that the procedure can identify!

I told her I thought I was ovulating and if she could see that and her response was 'you wouldn't be able to see that anyway'

I hope you have a better experience than me as it seems most others are talked through the procedure and what they see!!

Let me know how you get on, hope it goes well xx

OP posts:
stopthepain · 12/02/2022 22:10

For me, the vaginal ultrasound was worse than a smear test. Both were uncomfortable, but the ultrasound was a bit worse. The procedure lasted longer and I had to contort my body at times. The sonographer did say that my pelvis was very tilted though.

lakejupiter · 12/02/2022 22:16

@HayMay so sorry that that was your experience! That's really frustrating, could you at least see the screen or anything? Hope your doctor is able to give you some clarity!

Original poster
HayMay · 12/02/2022 23:28

[quote lakejupiter]@HayMay so sorry that that was your experience! That's really frustrating, could you at least see the screen or anything? Hope your doctor is able to give you some clarity! [/quote]
Thank you! Fingers crossed. No couldn't see the screen as was lay down and the screen was facing away from me completely. I've read online that depending on who performs the tests may impact if they are allowed to interpret there and then or not! It was painless and over so quickly though and the room was dark too so absolutely nothing for you to worry about there! Xx

OP posts:
JoannaJellyBean · 13/02/2022 21:37

Hi ladies, I recently went through this and got my PCOS disagnosis... On a weightloss journey, already lost 10lbs. @HayMay good luck on your results. Just remember even if it is PCOS that doesn't mean you can't get pregnant! I find anything I want in life requires me to fight for it, this is no different. Xx

Original poster
HayMay · 13/02/2022 22:13

@JoannaJellyBean

Hi ladies, I recently went through this and got my PCOS disagnosis... On a weightloss journey, already lost 10lbs. *@HayMay* good luck on your results. Just remember even if it is PCOS that doesn't mean you can't get pregnant! I find anything I want in life requires me to fight for it, this is no different. Xx
Well done on your weight loss! That's amazing!!! Amazing work.

Will they definitely be able to tell from my scan if it's PCOS for me?! I'm starting to look at the other common symptoms and wondering if I do have it too?!

Xx

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