According to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, more than half a million women are suffering unnecessarily because they are waiting excessive amounts of time for the diagnosis and treatment of gynaecological issues. This often leaves them in serious pain and discomfort, as well as in danger of easily curable conditions developing into more serious, untreatable illnesses because they are not being picked up and dealt with early enough.
(You can read the full report here).
While waiting lists pre-covid were already at a straining point, those lists have since grown by 59 per cent – what this means is that more than one in 20 women are currently waiting for treatment.
In terms of symptoms, this translates into thousands of women who are suffering from extreme pain, heavy bleeding, and, as a direct result, worsening mental health.
In an ideal world, if you are a woman experiencing gynaecological pain, your first port of call would be a pelvic scan. If you can no longer wait because of the length of time before you get an appointment, you may want to book a private pelvic scan. This will at least highlight if there is something seriously wrong that will require more immediate treatment.
Armed with this information, you can go back to your NHS doctor and push for more urgent care and attention.
What symptoms would lead you to a pelvic ultrasound scan?
The sort of symptoms you may be experiencing for you to require a pelvic scan include:
– Bloating
– Pain or discomfort in the abdomen
– Abnormal blood tests
– Irregular or erratic vaginal bleeding or periods
– Spotting between periods
– Painful or excessively heavy periods
– Discomfort or pain after a miscarriage
– Problems conceiving
What is a pelvic scan looking for?
In women, a pelvic scan enables the sonographer to check the cervix, ovaries, uterus, vagina, and bladder for any problems or defects.
For example, if you are having fertility issues, one of the main causes of the problem may lie with the ovaries. An ultrasound scan of the ovaries may indicate the presence of cysts, solid growths filled with liquid that grow on or in the ovaries. In extreme cases, these cysts can cause significant pain, including abdominal pain, bloating, and vomiting. If not treated promptly, they could permanently affect fertility.
What to expect during your pelvic scan?
Your pelvic scan will be carried out in one of two ways – transabdominal and transvaginal. A transabdominal ultrasound uses a probe that moves smoothly across your abdomen. A transvaginal ultrasound uses a wand that is inserted through the vagina.
Can you have a pelvic ultrasound on your period?
It is perfectly normal and acceptable to have a transvaginal ultrasound during your period, and if your scan is urgent, then it is not advisable to postpone the scan. Sometimes a gynaecologist may recommend that you have your scan at a particular point during your menstrual cycle – you may want to discuss that with your doctor when you have more insight into what your issues are.
To schedule your pelvic scan, you can make a booking via our online booking system here. If you are in a great deal of pain and need to speak to us urgently, do call us on 0203 9607960.
