WHAT: An ultrasound is an imaging tool can help your doctor monitor your ovulation and diagnose conditions such as pelvic masses and early pregnancy. Your doctor can also examine the thickness and pattern of your uterine lining.

WHY: Ultrasound is also used to monitor cycles during which you are taking drugs to stimulate the follicles in your ovaries to produce multiple eggs. It is also used during in vitro fertilization to help your doctor guide a needle into the follicles to retrieve eggs or during intrauterine insemination to deliver the sperm to the uterus

HOW: Transvaginal ultrasound is performed with a scanning probe inserted into your vagina. The probe is covered and a lubricant is used before it is inserted. The transvaginal ultrasound is inserted a short distance from your reproductive organs and produces very sharp, clear images on the monitoring screen. Even the smallest fibroids and certain other abnormalities can be detected.