What Is a Pelvic Ultrasound?
A pelvic ultrasound is a non-invasive diagnostic procedure that’s used to examine organs in your pelvis. It’s done using a transducer that sends out sound waves at a frequency too high to be audible. These sound waves bounce off the organs and return to the transducer, where waves are converted by a computer into an image. The organs that can be viewed by a pelvic ultrasound include:
- Ovaries
- Fallopian tubes
- Uterus
- Cervix
- Bladder
- Prostate
- Kidneys
Your physician can answer any questions you may have about this procedure. This type of sonography is completely safe and doesn’t use radiation. And if you need treatment or any other diagnostic tests, you can get a referral to an in-house expert.
Why Is a Pelvic Ultrasound Done?
A pelvic ultrasound is one of the tests your doctor may order if you’re experiencing pelvic pain. It allows a physician to clearly see if there are any irregularities to be concerned about in your pelvic region. Your doctor may also recommend a bladder ultrasound or another diagnostic test to determine the cause of your discomfort. Other reasons you may need to undergo a pelvic ultrasound include:
- Pregnancy confirmation
- Check your fetus’ heartbeat
- Menstrual problems
- Infertility
- Bladder or urinary tract problems
- Kidney stones
- Excessive bleeding
- Finding an intrauterine device (IUD)
- Tubal pregnancy
Your doctor can discern the movement and structure of your pelvic organs in real time through this test. A pelvic ultrasound may also be performed to evaluate a palpable mass that your doctor found during an exam. The test can help your doctor determine if it’s a fluid-filled cyst or another type of growth, both of which may need to be removed to prevent worsening conditions like endometriosis or cancer.
What Can I Expect?
In most cases, you don’t need to fast before the exam. You will need to drink at least 24 ounces of clear fluid an hour before the test to fill your bladder. This makes it easier for your organs to be seen clearly. Pelvic ultrasounds are usually completed in about 30 minutes, but may take longer if you’re having more than one type of exam. During the procedure:
- You lie face up on an examination table.
- The technician, called a sonographer, applies gel to the area to be examined.
- The sonographer places a transducer on your lower abdomen and moves it around the area being studied.
- Back-and-white images are displayed on a computer screen.
If your doctor feels a more detailed view is needed, he may recommend a transvaginal ultrasound<. This procedure is done by inserting the transducer into your vagina, which may be slightly uncomfortable, but it’s not painful. A pelvic ultrasound in men is called a transrectal ultrasound and may be recommended by a urologist to evaluate urinary problems or kidney stones.
What Happens After a Pelvic Ultrasound?
After a pelvic exam, you’re able to empty your bladder, go home and resume normal activities. A radiologist reviews the images and sends the results to your doctor. Your doctor lets you know if results are normal or abnormal. Some abnormal results include:
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Growths such as cysts or fibroids around your uterus and ovaries
- Abscesses or infections in your pelvic area
- Twisting of ovaries
- Fertilization of an egg in one of your fallopian tubes
Your physician may recommend a follow-up pelvic exam if any abnormal results are detected. A follow-up exam may also be recommended to evaluate if there have been any changes over time. Maintain communication with your doctor to avoid further pain and potentially life-threatening conditions.