Breast ultrasound (sonomammography)
Quick answer: A breast ultrasound uses sound waves to look at breast tissue and can tell whether a lump is a fluid-filled cyst or solid. Doctors order it for a breast lump, pain or nipple discharge, in younger women, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and alongside a mammogram.
- SampleImaging (no sample)
- TakesAbout 15 to 30 minutes
- Before the testNo special preparation is usually needed.
- In fertility careBecause it uses no radiation, it is the usual first breast scan during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
How the test is done
- 1You undress from the waist up and wear a gown open at the front
- 2You lie on your back with the arm on the side being scanned raised above your head
- 3Gel is spread on the breast and the probe is moved over it and into the armpit
- 4The sonographer may ask you to point to any lump you have felt
What your results can mean
Reading your report
A sonologist or radiologist reports on the scan, and your doctor will explain what the findings mean for you.
If the result is outside the usual range
A breast ultrasound can show a fluid-filled cyst, a solid lump such as a fibroadenoma, an abscess, swollen lymph nodes, or a lump with features that need a biopsy. Most breast lumps in young women are not cancer.
Who usually has this test
Women with a breast lump, pain or nipple discharge, women under about 40, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and those needing follow-up after a mammogram.
Risks and aftercare
There is no radiation, so it is safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding; pressure over a tender area may be uncomfortable for a moment.
Names and options
Also called: sonomammography, breast sonography, breast scan, USG breast
Options
- One breast
- Both breasts
Listed by the hospital as
- SONOMAMMOGRAPHY BOTH BREAST
- SONOMAMMOGRAPHY SINGLE BREAST
Questions about this test
Is a breast ultrasound or a mammogram better?
They suit different groups. Ultrasound is usually used first in younger women and during pregnancy, while mammograms are used for screening in older women, and the two are often used together.
What is a fibroadenoma?
A fibroadenoma is a common, harmless solid breast lump, often found in young women. It usually feels smooth and moves under the skin.
Can I have a breast ultrasound while breastfeeding?
Yes, it is safe while breastfeeding. Feeding or expressing just before the scan can make the breast easier to examine.
Related tests
Tamara Hospital & IVF Centre, Rajajinagar
34/3, 10th Cross Road, opp. Vardhaka Sardar Patel School, 1st N Block, 2nd Stage, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru 560010
The hospital is open 24 hours. Call before you come to check the timing for your scan or sample collection.
Get directions ↗IVF Pulse fertility care at Tamara Hospital →
Reception
Waiting area
IVF lab
This page explains each test in general terms so you know what to expect. It is not medical advice: your doctor decides which tests you need and what your results mean. Reference ranges differ between laboratories. Updated 4 November 2026.