Problems from transvaginal Ultrasound

[marshywife]

Hi All, Just wandering if anyone has had issues after having a transvaginal Ultrasound.
I had a Transvaginal Ultrasound (TU) to monitor ovarian cysts. The sonographer was having difficulty seeing my left ovary and said that it would be easy to see if a cyst was still present. After 15 mins he asked me to make sure that my bladder was empty so I went to the loo and then he tried again. He seemed concerned and spoke about asking a colleague to take a look but continued looking and asked if I was having any bladder problems which I'm not. Because he seemed concerned I let the scan continue even though it was extremely uncomfortable because he was really bearing down with the probe into the left side of my vaginal cavity. The results came back as the cysts on both ovaries had resolved so I'm not quite sure why he insisted on looking for the left ovary for more than 30 mins in total. For 2 weeks after I experienced pelvic pain, swollen on my left side, bleeding and lower back pain. All the symptoms apart from the back pain have now gone but the lower back pain still remains after 8 weeks. I don't normally suffer from back pain but it started after I had the ultrasound. Has everyone else had a similar experience or know if this is normal or if a transvaginal Ultrasound can damage your back?
Thanks

I had a number of TVUs (several cycles of ivf) but one was so horrendous I was nearly in tears with the pain for days afterwards. I felt like she was gouging around trying to see one ovary, and it took a good 45 mins of being probed in total. It was horrendous. It did settle after around a week though.
Have you considered it may be a coincidental UTI (or maybe due to all the rubbing around with the wand & gel which could have later rubbed to your urethra when you dressed? Or maybe being tense on the hard couch lying in an uncomfortable position for so long has strained muscles? Or holding yourself differently due to being swollen and suffering pelvic pain has caused a strain? I can’t imagine the wand itself could damage your back. Are you taking anti inflammatory meds & painkillers? Do heat pads/hot water bottles help?
if meds and heat pads aren’t helping you really will have to go to the dr.
I hope you feel better soon

It is normal to spend time finding ovaries - it can be very difficult. The organs in your pelvis can be very mobile, can be obstructed by things like bowel, can be adhered to other anatomy and depending on your age may be quite small, and other factors such as BMI can make them more difficult to see well. Other anatomy can mimic their appearance and be misleading. The probe can also go at deep angles especially if there is any suspicion of endometriosis.

Having said that if you asked the sonographer to stop and they didn't that is not right.