Female fertility testing typically includes a transvaginal ultrasound
When you visit our Dallas-Fort Worth fertility doctors for help overcoming infertility, you can expect to have a fertility evaluation. For women, a transvaginal ultrasound is an important part of female fertility testing. The goal is to view the female reproductive organs to look for any abnormalities.
Using an ultrasound, your doctor can assess your ovaries and take an antral follicle count to determine roughly how many ovarian follicles you have. It can also highlight uterine issues like fibroids and polyps, which can make it more difficult for an embryo to implant and grow into a healthy baby. Thankfully, an ultrasound can help your doctor diagnose and treat issues with the uterus and ovaries to help make parenthood possible.
How does a transvaginal ultrasound work?
This type of female fertility testing relies on a special type of imaging technology. Ultrasound uses sound waves to create a picture of different organs inside the body.
To perform this procedure transvaginally, an ultrasound technician or a fertility doctor uses a thin ultrasound wand. They place the ultrasound wand just two to three inches into the vagina and review images of the uterus and the ovaries on a nearby screen. A transvaginal ultrasound is not painful. In fact, most women say that it is easier than getting a Pap smear from their OB/GYN.
What are the benefits of performing this type of female fertility testing?
Our Dallas-Fort Worth fertility doctors typically perform this exam during the new patient appointment. Doing so helps them learn more about the following characteristics of the ovaries and the uterus.
- The size, shape, position and outline of your uterus as well as the thickness of your uterine lining (endometrium)
- Whether uterine abnormalities, such as a septum, fibroids or polyps, are present.
- The presence of ovarian cysts
- The number of ovarian follicles on the ovaries (antral follicle count)
In addition to using this type of ultrasound for diagnostic purposes, our team will also regularly perform them if you are taking ovarian stimulation medications. The goal is to determine how your ovaries are responding to the medications and when your eggs are mature.
You may have noticed that we didn’t mention the fallopian tubes when discussing this type of fertility testing. That’s because a transvaginal ultrasound cannot assess the fallopian tubes. To learn whether your tubes are open or blocked, your doctor will likely order a hysterosalpingogram (HSG).
If you would like to get started with our Dallas-Fort Worth fertility doctors, contact us today to schedule an appointment. We can help you get the diagnosis and treatment you need to bring home a healthy baby.
