Preconceptions versus experience of transvaginal ultrasonography in older women.
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.
Kew
F M
FM
Department of Gynaecological Oncology, James Cook University Hospital, University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, UK. Fiona@drsmiller.freeserve.co.uk
Whittaker
V J
VJ
Cruickshank
D J
DJ
D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology; D010146:Pain / Q000523:psychology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000523:psychology*