Endometrium thickening / TV ultrasound

I've been in hospital with a gastro problem and they did various ultrasound scans of my abdomen to check for kidney problems but found in the process a 20mm thickened endometrium...despite me only being 6 days after a period when apparently it should be much lower. They are now advising a transvaginal ultrasound as I've also had changes in my periods etc. I'm 42 and pretty worried. I also hate the idea of the TV ultrasound given a history of childhood sexual abuse and genuinely don't know if I can cope with it. Sorry to be quite so detailed on this forum but I just wondered if people had advise as to whether it's crucial that I go for the ultrasound / what it's like / am I at risk of cancer etc. Thanks for your help xx

  • Hi SusanKC, just thought I'd reply as I've been in a similar position to you. I had a history of childhood sexual abuse and also had to have a TV ultrasound last year to check on my womb and ovaries. All I can say from my experience is that the worrying was way worse than the actual procedure in the end, which was over really quickly. The specialist who did the exam was really kind and professional - they obviously know that this is a really awkward exam for most women anyway! I didn't disclose my history as I didn't want to, but I'm sure if you did want to say something about that then they would do things in a way you felt comfortable with. I felt like I didn't really have to 'expose' myself at all and that really helped if I'm honest. I was covered up with a towel down there and once the wand was in the specialist was just looking at the screen rather than at me anyway. It was all over pretty quickly and I didn't find it at all bad in the end. 
     

    I think if you don't have the TV ultrasound the only other alternative they can do is hysteroscopy but I've had that too now - and the ultrasound is much better than that anyway, so my advice would be to try and speak to them about it and put your mind at rest before doing it if you need to, but it's probably best to do it. Hope that helps a bit.