An integral part of a fertility evaluation is a transvaginal ultrasound examination

For pregnancy to occur, a woman needs to have healthy ovaries and open fallopian tubes. She also needs to have a uterus (womb) where an embryo can implant and grow into a healthy baby. You may have had an ultrasound before at your OB/Gyn office. While those ultrasounds are useful, your OB/Gyn may not look at the reproductive organs in the same way that we do. Therefore, your Fertility Answers physician will want to do an ultrasound even if you’ve had one done elsewhere. Our Louisiana fertility doctors usually perform a fertility ultrasound examination as part of a new patient visit.

How does a fertility ultrasound examination work?

Ultrasound is an imaging technique that uses sound waves to painlessly generate an image of a variety of different organs and structures. For a transvaginal ultrasound, the ultrasound technician will use a thin ultrasound transducer (“probe” or “wand”) that is covered with a lubricated condom-like sheath.

During the exam, the technician will insert the tip of the transducer two or three inches into the vagina and evaluate the resulting images from several different angles. The procedure is not painful. In fact, most women say that it’s easier than having a Pap smear.

Why do you need a fertility ultrasound?

A vaginal fertility ultrasound allows your physician a better look at your reproductive organs to help make diagnostic decisions. 

This internal, transvaginal ultrasound allows our doctors to:

• Examine the shape, size, position and contour of your uterus. 
• Evaluate your uterine lining and detect any other abnormalities, such as uterine fibroids or polyps.
• Visualize your ovaries to detect ovarian cysts or any abnormalities.
• Measure your ovary size and egg-containing follicles to get an idea of your ovarian reserve.
• Assess the mobility of your pelvic organs if endometriosis or pelvic adhesions (scar tissue) are suspected.
• Monitor the growth and development of egg follicles when a patient is taking fertility medications.
• Monitor the development of the uterine lining in medicated cycles.

Usually, the fallopian tubes are not seen on ultrasound, so your doctor will typically order a separate test called an HSG to look at them more closely.

If you would like to get started on your journey to parenthood, contact us for a new patient appointment with an ultrasound examination. Our Louisiana fertility doctors will recommend fertility testing to reach an accurate diagnosis and then develop a customized treatment plan for you. We look forward to helping you bring home a bundle of joy.