Most people do not need special preparation for a breast ultrasound. Eat, drink, and take your usual medicines unless your imaging center tells you otherwise. Wear a two-piece outfit, leave jewelry at home, and avoid lotion, powder, perfume, or spray deodorant on your breasts and underarms on the day of the test. Follow any instructions from your own clinic, especially if another procedure is planned.
What should you do before a breast ultrasound?
A breast ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to create pictures of the tissue inside the breast. It may be used to examine a lump, investigate an abnormality seen on a mammogram, or provide more information about a breast concern. The test does not use X-rays and usually requires very little preparation.
According to RadiologyInfo, most breast ultrasound examinations require little or no special preparation. The most useful steps are to choose comfortable clothing, avoid products that may interfere with the images, and follow any instructions provided by the imaging center.
What should you wear to your appointment?
Choose loose, comfortable clothing that you can remove easily. A two-piece outfit, such as a shirt and trousers or a top and skirt, is usually more convenient than a dress or other one-piece clothing. You will generally need to remove your clothing from the waist up and put on a gown or other covering supplied by the imaging center.
Leave necklaces and other jewelry around your neck and chest at home when possible. This reduces the need to remove items at the clinic and helps keep your appointment simple. If you wear a breast binder or a similar compression garment, expect to remove it for the examination and contact the imaging team beforehand if you have questions about doing so comfortably.
Should you avoid deodorant, lotion, or perfume?
Yes. On the day of your appointment, the safest approach is to leave your breasts and underarms free of lotions, creams, powders, perfume, and deodorant unless your imaging center gives different instructions. These products may interfere with breast imaging, and the sonographer needs to apply ultrasound gel directly to the skin.
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust advises patients to avoid spray deodorant, powder, lotion, and perfume on the breasts and underarms before the scan. Recommendations about roll-on deodorant can vary between facilities, so check your appointment instructions rather than assuming every product is permitted.
You do not need to shave your underarms or remove body hair for a breast ultrasound. Normal bathing is fine; simply avoid applying products to the areas being examined afterward.
Can you eat, drink, and take medicines before the scan?
For a routine breast ultrasound, you can generally eat and drink as usual. You usually do not need to fast, drink extra water, or arrive with a full bladder. Continue taking your regular medicines unless your healthcare professional or imaging center gives you a specific reason to do otherwise.
Johns Hopkins Medicine confirms that patients can generally eat, drink, and take their medicines as usual before a breast ultrasound. Do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own because of the appointment.
These instructions apply to a routine imaging examination. If your appointment also includes a needle biopsy, fluid drainage, or another procedure, additional preparation may be required. Contact the clinic in advance if your appointment details are unclear.
What should you bring to your appointment?
Check your appointment letter before leaving home. Depending on the facility, you may need identification, referral documents, insurance information, or previous imaging records. If you have had a mammogram, breast ultrasound, breast MRI, or breast surgery at another facility, let the imaging team know. Ask whether earlier images or reports need to be sent ahead of time.
It can also help to prepare a few details about the reason for your examination. If your healthcare professional requested the scan because of a breast lump, pain, nipple discharge, or a finding on an earlier test, be ready to explain where the concern is and when it began. If you have noticed changes over time, share those observations with the healthcare team. This information helps them understand which area needs careful assessment.
What happens during a breast ultrasound?
Knowing what to expect can make the appointment feel more manageable. The sonographer or radiologist will usually explain the procedure and ask about the reason for the examination. You will change into a gown or remove your upper clothing in private, then lie on your back on an examination table. You may be asked to raise one or both arms or turn slightly to help the examiner see the required areas.
According to MedlinePlus, the examiner applies gel to the skin and moves a handheld device, called a transducer, over the breast. The device sends and receives sound waves, allowing images to appear on a monitor. The examiner may scan the nearby underarm area or focus on a particular location, depending on the reason for the test.
The gel may feel cool, and you may notice some pressure as the transducer moves across the skin. The examiner may ask you to change position or hold still briefly to obtain clear pictures. You can speak up if you feel uncomfortable or need an explanation during the examination.
Is a breast ultrasound painful, and do you need recovery time?
A routine breast ultrasound is generally painless and does not involve needles or injections. However, pressure from the transducer may be uncomfortable if the area being examined is already tender. You can tell the examiner if the pressure causes pain so they can take your comfort into account.
Mayo Clinic Healthcare notes that a breast ultrasound requires no special preparation and that patients should wear clothing that is easy to remove. Because a routine ultrasound does not require sedation, most people can return to their usual activities afterward. If a biopsy or another procedure is performed during the same visit, follow the separate aftercare instructions provided by the clinical team.
What if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have breast implants?
Tell the healthcare professional arranging your scan if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have breast implants or a history of breast surgery. Breast ultrasound does not use ionizing radiation, and it may be selected when an ultrasound is appropriate for the clinical question. Your imaging team can confirm whether any additional information is needed before the appointment.
Breast implants do not automatically prevent an ultrasound examination. However, the imaging team should know about them so that the examination can be planned appropriately. If you have difficulty lying in the required position, need mobility assistance, use a compression garment, or have other accessibility concerns, contact the imaging center ahead of time to discuss your needs.
What should you do if you are unsure about the instructions?
Read your appointment letter and contact the imaging center if it differs from general guidance. This is especially important if you have been booked for more than one breast imaging test on the same day, have been asked to prepare for a biopsy, or received instructions about medicines or skin products that are not clear.
After the ultrasound, a radiologist or another qualified healthcare professional will interpret the images and communicate the findings according to the facility's usual process. The next step depends on the examination results and the reason for the scan. You do not need to interpret the images yourself; ask the healthcare professional who arranged your examination how and when you will receive the report.