What to expect when getting an ultrasound for ovarian cysts?
March 13th, 2010
Every month, I get the worst cramps ever. They hurt so bad that I can’t do anything expect for lay down. Nothing has helped either. My mom took me to the doctor and she put me on birth control. But, I have to go back and have an ultrasound down to check for ovarian cysts. What can I expect? Will the make my mom leave the room? Will I have do have something in my vagina? Please help 
Thanks so much(:
I’m 15 almost 16.
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Don’t panic. An ultrasound is all external. I have had them done, for similar reasons. I can walk you through the procedure step by step from my own experience.
With regards to your mother, if you need the support you can ask that your mother stay with you, I’m sure the technician will have absolutely no problem with that. If you’d prefer you can also ask that she leave the room.
When you arrive they will probably ask that you to change into a gown and lay down on the examining table. The technician will put lubricant on your pelvis, above your pubic area. Next they will use the ultrasound to scan your ovaries. Think of the device like a barcode scanner. There might be a bit of pressure so they can get a clear look at your ovaries, but certainly not anything painful.
For me, the most uncomfortable part of the procedure was was the feeling of the lubricating jelly. If you do experience any pain, just inform the technician. Over all, don’t be worried, they won’t be looking at your vagina at all.
Also make sure you drink plenty of water before your appointment and don’t urinate, this helps with a more clear picture as well. That information should be provided to you by the office where you are having the exam done.
im getting the same thing done tomorrow! they wont touch your vagina. your mom can be in the room if you want they will run a thingy over your lower belly and thats it. you might have to get undressed but still wear ur bra and underwear but im not sure. i had it done b4 its just been awhile 4 me.
I had the same procedure done, but it depends on if they want a "vaginal ultrasound" or a regular one…I had to have the vaginal, and all they do is use this tube shaped camera, and go into ur vagina and look around and take some pics…it does not hurt, and if u want ur mom in there she can stay…but hopefully u will only have to have the regular one, but they can see inside of ur ovaries better with the vaginal ultrasound, I ended up having cysts, so i’m glad they took that route..good luck, and hope u get well
Wear loose pants that you can pull down in the front to below your stomach and you shouldn’t have to get undressed. It’s completely up to you whether your mom stays with you or not. They might ask her to leave, but just let them know you’d rather have her with you. They will put this gel stuff on you stomach (it might be a little cold) then they will use the ultrasound machine (i’m sure you’ve seen one in use on tv or a movie).
If they can’t get a good image they might need to use an internal ultrasound machine (not sure what it’s called). They will use a wand type thing and insert it into your vagina.
Just had this done two weeks ago, and the two times I’ve had it done, they used a "probe" ultrasound. It’s a little weird (it really does look like a penis and they put a condom-looking thing on it with lube) but it’s also kinda cool. You actually get to see what’s going on. Or, at least I asked to see and was shown the cyst. It was only painful when she kept having to move it over to get my left ovary. The right was no problem. Your experience will be different. Good luck.
They will probably only do a transabdominal pelvic exam. That is when the Sonographer scans through your abdomen to image your uterus and ovaries. You will have to drink water before the exam to fill your bladder so the organs can be visualized. There’s no reason why your mom can’t come with you for the exam but the tech will probably ask you if you are sexually active as this is important information needed for your diagnosis.
If you are sexually active, some facilities will want to do a transvaginal exam too. The transducer is inserted into the vagina a few inches for this exam. The transducer used for the TV exam is a small diameter wand that is mostly handle so the Sonographer can angle it to visualize your anatomy. You can always refuse this exam and so can your mother but it is usually better for visualization of ovarian cysts.
Both exams usually take a total of only a 20-30 min and are really nothing to worry about.