If you are adult and use tampons it shouldn't be painful. However if you have a problem,  which is usually why you get referred for transvaginal us, that might be uncomfortable, for example if you have ovarian cysts. Talk to the practitioner about your anxieties, it may be they need to go slower, reassure you and help you feel in control. Try not to worry, it is a really useful diagnostic tool which gives more accurate information than the abdominal ultrasound but if you can't face it then the abdominal one may be enough. Good luck 

I had a transvaginal ultrasound to check the size of my ovarian cysts prior to surgery. I was uncomfortable but they were able to tell me that they had not changed, fortunately it was over quite quickly.

l would tell them that you are nervous so they can go slowly. 
susie

Hello amelia98 and thank you for your post,

A transvaginal ultrasound is the best way to see inside the pelvic area.  A small ultrasound probe with a sterile cover, not much wider than a finger, is then gently passed into the vagina. It is the best way to see the organs in the pelvic area. While it can be uncomfortable it does not usually cause pain and is carried out quickly.  

I have found in the patient information from some NHS hospitals about having a transvaginal ultrasound that if you are a virgin or are unable to tolerate internal examinations you do not have to have this done. You may have a abdominal (non invasive scan) instead.

You will have an opportunity to talk about this with the sonographer or doctor carrying out the procedure before you have it done, so do talk about what worries you. I think this a reasonable thing to do. 

Take care,

Caroline

Thank you for your replies. I will go ahead with the transvaginal ultrasound as I really want to know if something is wrong. I'm going to ask for them to go slowly.

I ended up having an abdominal scan as the doctor said the transvaginal isn't done for people who have never been sexually active.

I feel so unsatisfied and anxious after the appointment, I'm not sure what to do.

I needed a full bladder which is a problem for me as I have started needing to wee urgently. I used to be able to hold it for hours. I drank the minimum amount of water required. 

When I got there, I was in so much pain and agony that I couldn't lie down. I was trying really hard but it felt like my back had stopped working and they ended up raising the bed. They couldn't get a clear view as my bladder was too full so asked me to empty it a bit.

I weed so much and couldn't control it. When they did the ultrasound again, they said they couldn't see anything. 

They told me they couldn't find anything abnormal. I want to feel reassured but I don't. I feel angry at myself. I ruined my chances of getting more accurate results.

I don't know what to do now. I'm scared there could have been something abnormal that's been missed.

Hello Amelia98 and thanks for getting back to us, 

It is difficult for me to comment, but I don't think your results are necessarily very inaccurate, I think for them to have said nothing abnormal was seen,  they would have had to be able to see something and may have been able to identify quite a bit in the pelvic area. 

You will be able to go over the full ultrasound report with your GP when it is sent to them. So I think the best thing to do would be to give it a bit longer, check with the GP receptionist that the report has been sent to the surgery, and then make an appointment to talk it over along with your concerns.

Try not to worry too much about it for now. 

Best wishes, 

Julia