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Preconceptions versus experience of transvaginal ultrasonography in older women
Author(s) -
Kew F. M.,
Whittaker V. J.,
Cruickshank D. J.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.202
H-Index - 141
eISSN - 1469-0705
pISSN - 0960-7692
DOI - 10.1002/uog.1710
Subject(s) - medicine , transvaginal ultrasound , transvaginal ultrasonography , mammography , gynecology , ultrasound , obstetrics , ultrasonography , cervical cancer , radiology , breast cancer , cancer
Objective To determine whether women find that having a transvaginal ultrasound scan is better or worse than they had expected. Methods Fifty‐four consecutive women in an ovarian cancer screening trial filled in linked questionnaires before and after having a transvaginal ultrasound scan. Results The women found that having a transvaginal scan was less painful ( P = 0.003) and less embarrassing ( P = 0.001) than they had expected. They found it less uncomfortable than expected in comparison to having mammography ( P = 0.013) or a cervical smear ( P = 0.004). Conclusions Women attending for a transvaginal scan can be reassured that it will not be as painful or embarrassing as they fear, and that it is not as uncomfortable as having mammography or a cervical smear. Copyright © 2004 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.