Breast ultrasound
Ultrasound examination of the mammary glands can be assigned to a specialist for various reasons. For example, one of the categories of indications for ultrasonography in this case be suspected of violations of the normal functioning of glands: the occurrence of pain, seals, color change of the breast skin or nipple, or other symptoms that can indicate the presence of disease.
In other cases, the doctor may order a breast ultrasound as a preventive measure or for advanced diagnostics. For example, such a study can be shown in the procedure selection of hormone therapy for women. In addition, such a study becomes especially relevant if you are planning a pregnancy: in this situation, a breast ultrasound will allow experts to assess the readiness of the expectant mother for breastfeeding and preventing possible problems associated with the process of pregnancy and child birth.
Breast ultrasound is a procedure that is performed on a special machine using a gel that provides the best visibility of the results. This study is absolutely safe for the woman's body. Thus, in contrast to other types of ultrasound, it requires no special preparation by the patient.
The duration of the ultrasound
However, the use of this type of diagnosis is still fraught with certain limitations. The fact that the mammary glands of women are a body that reacts strongly enough to the overall hormonal situation in the body, which, in turn, changes over the menstrual cycle.
Therefore, in order to get the most accurate and reliable results, experts recommend breast ultrasound in the phase of the so-called hormone of calm, that is the period when the influence of hormones on this part of the body is minimal. Depending on the duration of the cycle this period corresponds to the interval 5 to day 14 of the menstrual cycle. But if the woman is already through menopause, ultrasound can be performed any day.