Do you need a pelvic ultrasound and aren’t sure what to expect? Finding out what happens during a pelvic ultrasound can be tricky, but it doesn’t need to be.
Today, we are here to put your minds at ease and cover everything you need to know about a pelvic ultrasound. Our guide covers the preparation, procedure, follow-up, and more so you know what to expect.
What Is A Pelvic Ultrasound?
A pelvic ultrasound looks at the organs in your pelvic area between your abdomen and legs. The ultrasound imaging exam uses sound waves to create detailed images of the organs inside your body in real-time. A transducer, which looks like a flat-ended microphone, is placed on your body and moved around to show these images on a connected computer screen.
In a pelvic ultrasound, you will see your:
- Bladder
- Fallopian tubes
- Ovaries
- Prostrate
- Rectum
- Uterus
- Vagina
A pelvic ultrasound can be performed in several ways. Typically, a Doppler ultrasound probe is placed on your lower abdomen and pelvis. Pelvic ultrasound can also be performed by inserting a probe into the rectum or transvaginally. A transvaginal ultrasound involves inserting the probe into your vagina, which can help to detect early pregnancy and assess the health of your female pelvic organs. Your doctor will run through the types of pelvic ultrasounds and answer any questions you might have about the scan you are having.
Why Do I Need A Pelvic Ultrasound?
A pelvic ultrasound can be recommended for several reasons, including:
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Pain during sex
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Pain during urination
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Difficulty conceiving
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Abdominal or pelvic pain
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Swelling in your abdomen
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Bleeding or unusual periods after menopause
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Urine leakage
A pelvic ultrasound examination helps to identify a range of conditions, including the following:
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Kidney stones
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Bladder cancer
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Hernias
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Ectopic pregnancy
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Endometriosis
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Gynecologic tumours
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Ovarian cysts
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Ovarian torsion
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Pelvic inflammatory disease
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Pelvic organ prolapse
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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
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Uterine fibroids
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Infections
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Cysts in seminal vesicles
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Prostate cancer
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Testicular cancer
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Scrotal or penile injury
In some cases, a pelvic ultrasound is used to perform a biopsy, where a small sample of tissue is collected from inside your body. The ultrasound helps to guide the biopsy needle to the right location, speeding up the process.
A pelvic ultrasound can also be used to check the position of an intrauterine device or IUD. This is placed into the uterus to prevent pregnancy. An ultrasound can confirm its position and if there are any changes to it.
What Happens During A Pelvic Ultrasound?
There are several types of pelvic ultrasounds, but most of them use the same procedure. Your pelvic ultrasound is performed by a sonographer or a doctor, who will use the transducer to create images from your pelvis. Ultrasound emits sound waves that bounce off your body to make pictures of your internal organs. These images are taken in real-time and show your organs moving and blood flowing through blood vessels.
The transducer will move across your body, with the sonographer taking pictures or videos that will be analysed before you are given your results by your doctor. In the case of pregnancy ultrasounds, you will see the images during your appointment and be offered printouts of pictures of your baby to take home.
Preparation
Generally, little preparation is required for a pelvic ultrasound. You might be asked to drink water beforehand, as a full bladder can help the transducer’s sound waves travel to create a clearer image of your bladder. During a rectal or transvaginal ultrasound, this is not necessary.
Your healthcare provider will let you know if you need to make any specific preparations before your ultrasound.
Procedure
The procedure differs slightly depending on the type of pelvic ultrasound you have. We have outlined the four types of pelvic ultrasound procedures below.
Abdominal Ultrasound
An abdominal ultrasound involves lying on your back on a table. You can usually do this in your clothes, provided you can lift your shirt to reveal your stomach. We recommend wearing loose-fitting, comfortable clothes.
Your sonographer will place a warm gel on your stomach, which helps the transducer move seamlessly, ensuring clear images. They will then move the transducer slowly around your abdomen to reveal your pelvic organs. Pictures and videos of your pelvic scan will be taken, which will be used to diagnose your condition.
Pregnancy Ultrasound
A pregnancy ultrasound starts with you lying on your back on an exam table. Like the previous ultrasound, you will wear your own clothes and lift your shirt to reveal your stomach. A clear, water-based gel will be spread across your belly and pelvis. This gel can be cold but warms up as the transducer moves across the area.
The gel helps the probe transmit sound waves, which bounce off the structures of a developing baby to generate a picture on the ultrasound machine. Your sonographer will use the pictures to calculate how far along your pregnancy is and ensure that the baby is developing correctly. You will see the picture on the screen and be offered printed copies at the end of the appointment.
Rectal Ultrasound
For a rectal ultrasound, you will be given a hospital gown to change into. You will lie on your side on an examination table before a lubricated transducer is inserted into your rectum. This can be uncomfortable, with some people feeling pain or pressure, but it will pass.
The transducer examines the lining and scans the prostate gland if needed. The images are captured and reviewed to provide you with a diagnosis and treatment plan or to recommend you for further testing.
Transvaginal Ultrasound
A transvaginal ultrasound also involves you changing into a hospital gown or removing your bottoms. You will be covered with a towel, sitting up, or leaning back on an examination table. A transducer will be inserted a few inches into your vagina. While it is covered in. a lubricating gel, it can initially feel uncomfortable, like a gynecologic exam.
The transducer is moved gently at different angles to provide a clear picture of your reproductive organs. A pregnancy ultrasound before twelve weeks will also be a transvaginal ultrasound, where the pregnancy can be confirmed and dated. Images are taken and will be reviewed.
How Long Does A Pelvic Ultrasound Take?
Your ultrasound will take fifteen minutes to one hour, depending on the type. You will also need to arrive at your appointment early to allow time to change into a gown. You will not need to wait around after the exam unless told otherwise, allowing you to return to work and continue with your day.
Follow Up
After your ultrasound, you should be able to continue with your usual activities. It is common to experience discomfort or pain, especially if the transducer was inserted into your body.
Once your ultrasound is complete, the pictures are sent to a radiologist, who examines them carefully to provide their diagnosis. The diagnosis is then shared with your healthcare provider, who will contact you to discuss the results. This might be over the phone, or you will be invited for a follow-up appointment.
Sometimes, your healthcare provider interprets the results without consulting a radiologist. This typically happens in gynecology and obstetrics.
What Are The Risks Of A Pelvic Ultrasound?
Pelvic ultrasounds are considered safe and risk-free, as they do not emit radiation and are noninvasive. You are unlikely to experience any side effects from a pelvic scan, too, allowing you to continue with your usual activities.
Pelvic pain, bleeding, or fever can occur and should be reported to your doctor immediately. Pain and bleeding are more common when the transducer has been inserted but should still be reported to your doctor.
What Are The Benefits Of A Pelvic Ultrasound?
A pelvic ultrasound is a safe and popular way to scan your stomach and pelvis for several reasons outlined below.
They Are Detailed
Pelvic ultrasounds provide high-quality images, allowing radiologists to see a clear picture of your body. These clear images help to confirm a diagnosis, assess the health and development of a baby, and rule out any conditions.
They Are Quick
Depending on your pelvic ultrasound, your scan can take between 15 minutes and one hour. This allows healthcare professionals to complete multiple ultrasounds a day, and it allows you to get results quickly and attend the scan without it taking up your entire day.
They Are Safe
Unlike X-rays and other scans, pelvic ultrasounds do not use radiation, keeping patients safe. They also put your mind at ease while you are having the scan, so you can focus on a diagnosis and treatment rather than worrying about the scan.
Final Thoughts
A pelvic ultrasound is a quick and reliable scan that helps professionals diagnose various conditions, confirm and monitor a pregnancy, and help create treatment plans. While some discomfort can occur, these scans are mostly painless and provide high-quality images that help doctors diagnose conditions and allow you to see your baby.
Your doctor may recommend a pelvic ultrasound, or you can consult your local radiology centre to book an appointment.
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