Attitudes of Post-menopausal Women to Transvaginal Ultrasound

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the attitudes of post-menopausal women having a transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) examination. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey included 100 consecutive post-menopausal women undergoing TVUS for different indications. They were asked to complete two questionnaires, one before and one after the examination. The main outcomes were acceptability of TVUS, anxiety, embarrassment (before and during) and pain/discomfort (during) the examination. Results: The incidence of anxiety prior to TVUS was significantly higher than anxiety during and after (p<0·001). Good rapport, with reassurance from the staff may have reduced anxiety. Pre-examination anxiety (reported by 43% of women) was mostly due to the procedure and fear of results (77%). Post-examination anxiety was due mainly to anticipation of results. Women found TVUS less painful and less embarrassing than they had expected. The majority of women did not have a specific preference regarding the gender of the sonographer or the presence of a chaperone during the examination. All women attending for TVUS found the procedure acceptable and would 'recommend it to friends or family'. Conclusions: Post-menopausal women find TVUS acceptable. Before attending they are anxious about both the procedure and the result. Women can be reassured that TVUS is unlikely to be as painful or embarrassing as they fear. Anxiety about results persists after the examination.