Uzm. Dr. Ertan Özen
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Gynaecological Procedures
Intravaginal ultrasonography
What intravaginal (transvaginal) ultrasonography is, how the probe produces a close-up image of the womb and ovaries, what conditions it can and cannot detect, how it compares with abdominal ultrasound and MRI, what to expect during the scan, approximate costs in Turkey against the UK, US and Germany, safety and how to choose a clinic.
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Prof. Dr. Zehra Neşe Kavak
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Intravaginal ultrasonography in Turkey: what it is and how it works
Intravaginal ultrasonography, usually called a transvaginal ultrasound or internal scan, is a pelvic imaging test in which a slim ultrasound probe is placed a few centimetres inside the vagina. The probe sends out high-frequency sound waves that bounce back from the womb, ovaries and fallopian tube region, and a computer turns the echoes into live pictures on a screen. Because the probe sits close to the organs, the image is sharper than one taken through the abdomen. No radiation is used and no needle or dye is needed in a standard scan.
This guide explains what the scan can show, when doctors order it, how it differs from abdominal ultrasound and MRI, what it feels like, what it costs in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany and how to choose a clinic. It is often combined with a consultation in our gynaecology treatments in Turkey.
What does a transvaginal scan show?
The scan is the first-line test for most pelvic problems in women. It measures the size and shape of the womb, the thickness of the womb lining (endometrium), and the size, number and appearance of the ovaries. It can show:
- Fibroids and polyps: benign growths in the muscle or lining of the womb.
- Ovarian cysts: their size, fluid or solid content and blood flow, which helps the doctor judge whether they are simple or need follow-up.
- Endometriosis signs: endometrial cysts (endometriomas) and, in specialist hands, some deep disease.
- Early pregnancy: whether a pregnancy sits in the womb, the heartbeat from about six weeks and signs of an ectopic or failing pregnancy.
- Fertility markers: the number of small ovarian follicles (antral follicle count) and follicle growth during treatment.
- IUD position: whether a coil is in the right place.
- Causes of abnormal bleeding: a thickened lining, fibroids or retained tissue.
Why is intravaginal ultrasonography requested?
Doctors ask for it when a woman has pelvic pain, heavy or irregular bleeding, bleeding after menopause, a pelvic mass felt at examination, difficulty conceiving or early-pregnancy symptoms. It is also repeated during fertility treatment to track follicles. For anyone considering fibroid surgery, the scan shows how many fibroids there are and whether they bulge into the cavity, which helps plan procedures such as hysteroscopic myomectomy. In fertility care it is a basic step before and during treatment; our IVF and fertility treatments in Turkey page describes where it fits.
How does a transvaginal scan differ from an abdominal ultrasound or MRI?
The three tests answer different questions. A transvaginal scan gives the clearest picture of the womb and ovaries but has a limited field of view, so very large masses or organs high in the abdomen may be better seen with another method.
| Test | Best suited to | Typical limits |
|---|---|---|
| Intravaginal ultrasonography | Detailed look at womb, lining, ovaries and early pregnancy | Limited reach for large or high masses; internal probe is not for everyone |
| Abdominal ultrasound | Larger masses, kidneys, a wider view; patients who cannot have an internal scan | Needs a full bladder; less detail for the ovaries and lining |
| Pelvic MRI | Mapping complex fibroids, deep endometriosis, suspected cancer spread | Longer, more costly; not a first-line test for simple problems |
Often an abdominal and a transvaginal scan are done in the same visit so that the doctor sees both the overview and the close-up. If the scan shows a lining abnormality, a camera examination called hysteroscopy may follow to look inside the womb directly.
What happens during intravaginal ultrasonography, step by step?
You usually empty your bladder first. You undress from the waist down and lie on the couch with your knees bent, covered by a sheet. The doctor or sonographer covers the probe, which is about the width of two fingers, with a disposable sheath and lubricating gel, and gently inserts a short way into the vagina. The probe is moved slightly to bring the womb and each ovary into view, and the screen shows live images; you may be asked to press on your lower abdomen or to breathe differently. The scan takes about 10 to 20 minutes. A chaperone can be requested in most clinics and is standard practice in UK services.
Some women have the scan in a fertility clinic on specific days of the cycle, when the doctor looks at follicles and lining thickness. In early pregnancy, the scan may be repeated one or two weeks later to confirm progress.
Does intravaginal ultrasonography hurt?
Most women feel pressure rather than pain, similar to a smear test but usually less than a speculum examination. Discomfort can be greater if you have pelvic inflammation, endometriosis, a tight pelvic floor or have not had vaginal intercourse. Tell the sonographer if you feel pain; the scan can be paused, the probe angled differently or the test replaced by an abdominal scan. If you have latex allergy, ask for a latex-free sheath. A scan can be done during a period if needed, but it is more comfortable and informative at some points of the cycle, so the clinic may suggest a day.
What does intravaginal ultrasonography cost in Turkey compared with the UK, US and Germany?
These approximate ranges are for a single scan with a report, not hospital quotes. In the UK a scan is available on the NHS when referred by a doctor; the private price is shown here. Each hospital confirms its own price in a written quote.
| Country | Approximate cost range |
|---|---|
| Turkey | €35 – €160 |
| United Kingdom (private) | €120 – €320 |
| United States | €200 – €1,000 |
| Germany | €50 – €220 |
What changes the price: a basic scan or a detailed examination with Doppler blood-flow imaging or 3D images, whether a specialist in gynaecological imaging performs it, whether the consultation is included and whether you need a follow-up scan. A fertility follicle-tracking series costs more than a single scan, so ask what number of scans a package includes. A scan alone is rarely a reason to travel; it usually forms part of a wider check-up or treatment plan.
Who can have an internal scan, and when is another route chosen?
Nearly every woman who has had vaginal intercourse can have the scan. It is not usually performed in girls who have not been sexually active, in women who are very distressed by internal examinations, or in cases of vaginal or vulval pain that make insertion unsafe; an abdominal or, in some services, a transrectal scan can replace it. The test is safe in pregnancy, and no preparation beyond emptying the bladder is normally needed. If you are bleeding heavily or have severe pain in early pregnancy, tell the clinic at once because that may need urgent assessment rather than a routine appointment.
What can the scan not tell you, and what happens next?
An ultrasound shows structure, not the cause of every symptom. A normal scan does not rule out endometriosis, adhesions or blocked tubes, and a cyst or lining thickness may need repeat scans, blood tests or MRI to judge. A suspicious finding is never a diagnosis on its own: the doctor combines it with your symptoms, blood tests and, if needed, a biopsy or camera examination. Ask for the written report and, where possible, saved images so your own doctor can compare later. In suspected fibroids, results guide a decision on options such as fibroid removal. Our page on how the process works explains how reports and plans are shared.
Is intravaginal ultrasonography safe? Recovery and risks
There is no recovery period. You can dress and carry on with normal activity immediately, with perhaps a little spotting or mild soreness for a few hours. The scan uses sound, not radiation, and professional bodies such as the NHS and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists consider it safe, including in pregnancy, when done for a medical reason. Rare problems are discomfort, a very small amount of bleeding and allergic reaction to latex or gel. Infection risk is low with disposable probe covers and proper cleaning of the probe between patients, so it is reasonable to ask how the probe is disinfected.
How do I choose a clinic, and what are the red flags?
Choose a clinic where the scan is performed by a gynaecologist or a trained sonographer, on modern equipment with Doppler, with a written report and a clear route to further care if something is found. Red flags include reports without images, a diagnosis delivered with no examination, repeat scans billed without reason, no chaperone offer and pressure to book treatments from a single scan. Use our free quote page to describe your situation and receive a written plan and price.
Questions to ask the clinic:
- Who performs the scan, and is Doppler or 3D imaging included?
- Do I need to prepare, and does the day of my cycle matter?
- Can I have a chaperone and a latex-free sheath?
- Will I receive the report and images in English?
- What happens next if the scan finds a cyst, fibroid or thickened lining?
Hospitals with Gynaecology in Turkey
Frequently asked questions
It is a pelvic scan, also called a transvaginal ultrasound, in which a slim probe is placed a short way into the vagina. Sound waves create close-up images of the womb, womb lining and ovaries without radiation.
It can show fibroids, polyps, ovarian cysts, the thickness of the womb lining, early pregnancy and its heartbeat, the number of ovarian follicles and the position of an IUD. It cannot diagnose every cause of pelvic pain.
Most women feel pressure and mild discomfort, similar to a smear test. Pain is more likely with pelvic inflammation or endometriosis. Tell the sonographer if it hurts, and the scan can be paused or changed to an abdominal one.
Approximate ranges are €35 to €160 in Turkey, against about €120 to €320 privately in the UK. The price depends on Doppler or 3D imaging, the specialist and whether a consultation is included, and is confirmed in a written quote.
Usually 10 to 20 minutes. You empty your bladder first, lie on a couch and the sonographer inserts and moves the probe while you watch or hear explanations.
Generally you only need to empty your bladder. For fertility scans, the doctor may ask for a particular day of your cycle. Wear comfortable clothing and tell the clinic about latex allergy.
Yes. The NHS and obstetric societies consider it safe, as it uses sound waves and not radiation. It is commonly used in early pregnancy to confirm location and heartbeat.
A transvaginal scan gives clearer detail of the womb and ovaries, while an abdominal scan gives a wider view and needs a full bladder. Often both are done together, and your doctor will choose.
No. You can return to normal activity at once. A little spotting or mild soreness for a few hours is possible, and anything heavier should be reported to a doctor.
A single scan takes a short visit. If it is part of a fertility work-up or treatment plan with repeat scans, the stay depends on that plan, and the clinic can advise.
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