Patient acceptance of endovaginal ultrasound.
OBJECTIVE
To assess women's experiences and attitudes regarding endovaginal ultrasound.


METHODS
Women attending the obstetrics and gynecology clinics at the University of Florida were asked to complete an anonymous questionnaire.


RESULTS
Of respondents who had had a prior endovaginal ultrasound examination, 26% reported that 'it hurt a lot' and 50% reported that 'it hurt a little'. In contrast, only 23% of patients had experienced any pain with a prior abdominal ultrasound (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that discomfort with a prior vaginal ultrasound was related to patient age category, with less discomfort being experienced with increasing ages (P = 0.001). A history of unwanted sex, sexual or physical abuse, or dyspareunia was not associated with more painful examinations. Most patients were willing to undergo a future vaginal ultrasound investigation if it were recommended by their doctor. Multivariate analysis showed that more willingness was associated with older age category (P = 0.004), a history of dyspareunia (P = 0.03) and bleeding in a current pregnancy (P = 0.005). Of the patients (less than half) who had a preference, most preferred a female sonographer for endovaginal sonography (P < 0.001) and most preferred that a doctor, rather than a nurse or technician, perform the examination (P < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of women who had experienced a vaginal ultrasound examination found it somewhat uncomfortable, but almost all women who returned the questionnaire expressed a willingness to undergo endovaginal ultrasound if it were recommended.
Bennett
C C
CC
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville 32610-0294, USA.
Richards
D S
DS
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D004414:Dyspareunia / Q000523:psychology; D019160:Endosonography / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology; D014621:Vagina / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*