Uterine sounds are gynecological instruments which are used to examine the vaginal cavity and to measure how deep the uterus actually is.
Uterine sounds are inserted into the woman’s uterus from the cervix so that the length of the uterus can be determine and to find out what direction the uterus and the cervical canal take so that it can be determined the amount of dilation which has already taken place and to even further the dilation to the amount which is required.
Uterine sounds are gynecological instruments which may be used prior to performing embryo transfer. By determining how deep the uterus is and how long it is, it can be determined how the embryo would have to be transferred by making use of a catheter which is passed into the cervix. This procedure with the uterine sounds is performed before the intrauterine device is inserted into the uterus. By doing so, the risk of causing damage to the uterus with the intrauterine device is lowered.
There are different kinds of uterine sounds which are available and which may be used by the gynecologist. Uterine sounds may come with either a flat or a round end and these types are known as Sims uterine sounds. The other kind which is available is the Hegar dilator which has both ends rounded; it is a short instrument and slightly curved in terms of its shape.
Uterine sounds may also be used to enlarge the vagina. Sometimes, vaginal tissue may change over a period of time or perhaps due to some type of medical condition. This may cause the vagina to become smaller in size causing sexual intercourse and gynecological exams to become painful. When this happens, uterine sounds may be used to enlarge the vagina slowly so that these activities can be performed easily without any difficulty.