I have had two transvaginal ultrasounds in the past six months for ovarian cysts. I didn't think about this the first time, but my second one was yesterday, down the hall from my gynecologist's office, which is in a women's center in a hospital.
I tried not to look at what the provider was doing because I was anxious, but I did not see or hear her put a cover or condom over the probe and it felt like cold plastic, like maybe it did not have a cover on it. There were at least two or three other women in the waiting room who went in before me within a half hour's time.
Last night, I felt soreness or irritation in my vaginal area/labia and started thinking about it and became completely grossed out and horrified at the thought that the provider might not have covered the probe. Just the mere idea of a probe that has been used on so many other patients without a cover being used on me was awful, even if it was disinfected.
Then, I thought what if they cut corners on disinfection given how many women seemed to be going in and out. (I have read the instructions for thorough disinfection online, and it talks bout washing it with soap, taking it apart, soaking it in a solution and air drying it. Am I really supposed to believe they do that to every probe with all those women going in and out?
I am so thoroughly grossed out and terrified/worried that I might have picked up an STD, especially HSV or HPV or who knows what kind of bacteria or virus.
My question: is it possible that I could have gotten an STD from this probe? Should I get tested for STDs, especially herpes? (If I did get it from the probe, I want a negative test now so I can prove it was from the probe if I were to get a positive test in a few months.) Should I ask about their disinfection procedures and if they use covers? How would I know if they're telling the truth? And, finally, is it bad practice to not use covers?
Thanks so much.