text: Lack of periods is one of the common symptoms triggering a request from your referring doctor, for a gynaecological ultrasound. A pelvic scan is often requested for many purposes, and more than one may be relevant when there is no period: delay in getting pregnant, suspicion of different anatomy of the uterus, changes in the uterus lining or problems with the ovaries which can be associated with other medical problems.
  If you have been referred because of a lack of periods, then an abdominal and/or a vaginal scan will give your doctor more information on potential causes.
  Abdominal or vaginal
  A scan for a lack of periods usually consists of two different scans: the abdominal scan gives a good overview, but for most gynaecological ultrasounds we prefer to perform a vaginal ultrasound, where a narrow probe is inserted. A vaginal ultrasound may sound awkward, but it is generally a far gentler examination than a cervical smear. Although the vaginal ultrasound is done after bladder emptying, if you are attending QDOS for the first time, or re-visiting after a few years, we prefer to begin with abdominal pictures. Water in the bladder makes the abdominal scan clearer, so it helps if you have had two glasses of any liquid to drink before your appointment. If you have visited for a vaginal ultrasound before, you may have been advised not to worry about bladder filling for your next appointment.
  What can a scan tell us about lack of periods?
  - Read more about what to expect with a Gynaecological Ultrasound.
  - Have questions for either pregnancy or gynaecology scans? See our FAQs.
  - Have an appointment with us and want to know what to expect? See our patient practical information section.
  - Do you need an ultrasound? Make a booking.
  - Learn more about the team and QDOS Ultrasound.
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