What Is a Gynecology Ultrasound?

A gynecology ultrasound is an ultrasound study of an aspect of the female reproductive tract, usually the uterus or ovaries, as the vagina and exterior genitals can be examined firsthand. A doctor can request and perform an ultrasound for a variety of reasons, ranging from following up on a pregnancy to screening a patient for disease. The patient may receive an ultrasound from a doctor or a technician, and it may take several days to get results, depending on why the test is necessary.

In a gynecology ultrasound, a patient lies on an examination table in a dimly lit room while the technician or doctor uses an ultrasound probe to get a picture of the patient's reproductive tract. The dim lighting is necessary to clearly see the ultrasound monitor during the test. Doctors may apply probes to the surface of the body, or could perform an internal ultrasound with the use of a vaginal probe. This option is more invasive, but can provide a clearer image with better resolution.

One reason to perform a gynecology ultrasound is to check on the progress of a pregnancy. The technician can take note of what is happening inside the uterus and record data about the development of the fetus. The gynecology ultrasound can also be useful if a doctor wants to check for things like uterine fibroids, tumors on the ovaries, or the development of ovarian follicles in fertility treatments. A doctor can request the test if a patient appears to have symptoms of concern or if it becomes necessary as part of treatment.

In addition to being useful as a standalone medical imaging study, gynecology ultrasounds can also provide visual guidance for medical tests, where doctors need to extract samples of tissue or fluid from in and around the uterus. This can include everything from harvesting eggs to chorionic villus sampling. In this case, the doctor uses the ultrasound to make sure she reaches the right area of the body, and to monitor the use of needles and probes in the test.

Patients preparing for a gynecology ultrasound may be nervous, especially in the case of an internal ultrasound. Doctors usually proceed slowly and carefully and will provide information about what they are doing so patients know what to expect. Some doctors may take steps like warming the probe in their hands before starting to make it more comfortable, and take the time to provide pillows and blankets to patients who may need them.