This is a common question among many women and many of us fear that the day we have scheduled our appointment, for which we surely have time waiting, our period will come down. The fundamental thing is to specify that an ultrasound can be done with the period, in fact many times it is necessary to do the same close to the period to diagnose various pathologies.
It's important to note that you should be able to have your scan at any time during your menstrual cycle, as most gynecological conditions can be evaluated and diagnosed at any time. However, you might consider the following before making your appointment:
- Full pelvic ultrasounds are usually done transvaginally, so you may feel more comfortable if you can schedule the appointment when you don't have a period or aren't on days when you usually get a period.
- Don't put off scanning if you need the results quickly.
- Don't put off scanning if you have an irregular cycle that is difficult to predict.
- If you're on your period, it may be easier to use pads instead of a tampon when you visit the clinic, as you'll need to remove your tampon for the scan.
- Endometrial problems, such as polyps, may be more easily detected on full pelvic ultrasounds just after the end of your period, when the lining of the uterus is thinnest.
How should you prepare?
In addition to thinking about when you want to have your full pelvic exam, you can also do the following to prepare for a transvaginal ultrasound:
- Empty your bladder just before the scan.
- Wear comfortable clothes that are easy to remove from your lower half, or a skirt that you can lift up out of the way. You will be given a gown or towel to protect your privacy during the scan.
El Dr. Daniel García, gynecologist and obstetrician at Ginefem, explains in this video if you can do an ultrasound with the period.
