Trans vaginal/internal scan question

[ToContiOrSequi]

I was booked for both external and internal scan for my uterus (I'm on HRT and they wanted to check out some bleeding - I'm not bleeding now, it was like a period, lasted 5 days a couple of months ago). I'd drunk water as requested but when the sonographer talked to me about the scan she told me I didn't need an external scan so needed to empty my bladder, which I then did.

For the internal scan I had to raise my pelvis quite high so she could get a better image and queried if I'd emptied my bladder as requested. I asked her if I had retention but she didn't really answer, just said something about the parameters for measurement.

Now it's been a few days and my mind is chewing on it all.

Can anyone tell me why I had to raise my pelvis quite high so she could do the scan? And why she queried about my bladder?

I had loads of tvs when having IVF. The nurse once, mid scan, did say I should have emptied my bladder. I told her I’d just been before she called me through & she then said that the bladder is continuously refilling. As to position, I guess it depends how things are situated. I once had what I can only assume was an inexperienced or trainee person scanning me. She was gouging away up there for ages, asking me to tilt my pelvis left or right, and left me in agony. Having had 7 cycles of IVF, I never had anyone ever do that before her or after.

I had the same. The scanner said I hadn't fully emptied my bladder. I think there are techniques to move your pelvis to empty as much as possible.

@FishOnABicycleMadeForTwo ouch!!

I've had TV scans before and no problem with bladder emptying, in fact one four years ago was to check just that and I was fine: no retention. 🤷🏻‍♀️

You get better images when you raise your hips. First of all, by elevating the pelvis, your internal organs are closer to the transducer, so you reducet he distance that the sound waves need to travel. The ultrasound signal will then remain stronger as it passes through tissues and gives clearer and more detailed images. Then...you get rid of air . By raising the pelvis, you displace air from the pelvic region, so again better images. Another reason has to do with the position of your organs. In the same way, a technician moves your hand to get the best possible x-ray, by lifting your hips, you adjust the angle and orientation. In an external, your move the probe, in an internal since there is only one entry point, you move the body.

So for the bladder. Liquid on an US is black. It is not uncommon to have a small amount of residual urine, something in the range of 50-100 ml. Or you might have a bit of urinary retention you are not aware of. HRT has an impact on urinary function. Progestogens, particularly those with antiandrogenic properties, may have a mild relaxing effect on the bladder muscles, potentially leading to a temporary decrease in bladder contractility.