Menstrual disorders are very common, appear in healthy women and can affect to a great extent their quality of life. Some women experience regular, prolonged and heavy blood loss (menorrhagia) that could lead to anaemia, whereas others suffer from heavy but irregular blood loss (metrorrhagia). In other cases the menstrual cycle is prolonged (>40 days) (oligomenorrhoea) or non-existent (amenorrhoea).
The gynaecological ultrasound examination is necessary in the investigation of menstrual disorders. It is a very reliable method for the diagnosis of fibroids, adenomyosis and endometrial polyps that could cause menorrhagia or metrorrhagia.
As far as fibroids are concerned, the gynaecological ultrasound examination, and especially the 3D scan, helps in their detailed imaging, including their size and location. This is crucial in order to decide what kind of treatment is most appropriate.
The gynaecological ultrasound combined with the clinical examination and specific blood tests could also help us diagnose conditions that cause oligomenorrhoea or amenorrhoea like polycystic ovarian syndrome.