Before the procedure
Before your ultrasound begins, you may be asked to do the following:
- Remove any jewelry from the area being examined.
- Remove or reposition some or all of your clothing.
- Change into a gown.
You'll be asked to lie on an exam table.
During the procedure
Gel is applied to your skin over the area being examined. It helps prevent air pockets, which can block the sound waves that create the images. This safe, water-based gel is easy to remove from skin and, if needed, clothing.
A trained technician, called a sonographer, uses a small, hand-held device called a transducer. The technician presses the transducer against the area being studied and moves it as needed to capture the images. The transducer sends sound waves into your body and collects the ones that bounce back. The images appear on a computer.
Sometimes, ultrasounds are done inside the body. In this case, the transducer is attached to a probe that's inserted into a natural opening in the body. Examples include:
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Transesophageal echocardiogram. A transducer, inserted into the esophagus, obtains heart images. It's usually done while under sedation.
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Transrectal ultrasound. This test creates images of the prostate by placing a special transducer into the rectum.
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Transvaginal ultrasound. A special transducer is inserted into the vagina to look at the uterus and ovaries.
Ultrasound is usually painless. However, you may experience mild discomfort as the sonographer guides the transducer over your body. It may not be comfortable if you're required to have a full bladder or the transducer is inserted it into your body.
A typical ultrasound exam takes from 30 minutes to an hour.