Pelvic Ultrasound
A pelvic ultrasound uses sound waves to make a picture of the organs and structures in the lower belly (pelvis).
A pelvic ultrasound looks at:
- The bladder,
ovaries,
uterus,
cervix, and
fallopian tubes of a woman. See a picture of
female organs seen on pelvic ultrasound
. - The bladder,
prostate gland, and
seminal vesicles of a man. See a picture of
male organs seen on pelvic ultrasound .
Organs and structures that are solid and uniform (such as the uterus, ovaries, or prostate gland) or that are fluid-filled (such as the bladder) show up clearly on a pelvic ultrasound. Bones or air-filled organs, such as the intestines, do not show up well on an ultrasound and may keep other organs from being seen clearly.
Pelvic ultrasound can be done three ways: transabdominal, transrectal, and transvaginal.
- Transabdominal ultrasound. A small handheld device called a transducer is passed back and forth over the lower belly. A transabdominal ultrasound is commonly done in women to look for large uterine fibroids or other problems.
- Transrectal ultrasound. The transducer is shaped to fit into the rectum. A transrectal ultrasound is the most common test to look at the male pelvic organs, such as the prostate and seminal vesicles. Sometimes, a small sample of tissue (biopsy) may be taken with small tools inserted through the rectum during a transrectal ultrasound.
-
Transvaginal ultrasound. The transducer is shaped
to fit into a woman's
vagina. A woman may have both transabdominal and
transvaginal ultrasounds to look at the whole pelvic area. A transvaginal
ultrasound is done to look for problems with
fertility. In rare cases, a hysterosonogram is done to
look at the inside of the uterus by filling the uterus with fluid during a
transvaginal ultrasound. Sometimes, a small sample of tissue (biopsy) may be
taken with small tools inserted through the vagina during a transvaginal
ultrasound. See
ultrasound images of ovarian cysts .
In all three types of pelvic ultrasound, the transducer sends the reflected sound waves to a computer, which makes them into a picture that is shown on a video screen. Ultrasound pictures or videos may be saved as a permanent record.
Why It Is Done
For men and women, pelvic ultrasound may be done to:
- Find the cause of blood in the urine (hematuria). An ultrasound of the kidneys may also be done.
- Find the cause of urinary problems.
- Look at the size of the bladder before and after urination. This can determine whether the bladder is emptying completely during urination.
- Check for growths in the pelvis.
- Guide the placement of a needle during a biopsy or when draining the fluid from a cyst or abscess.
- Check for colorectal cancer and how it is responding to treatment.
For women, pelvic ultrasound may be done to:
- Find out what is causing pelvic pain.
- Look for the cause of vaginal bleeding.
- Look for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
- Find an intrauterine device (IUD).
- Look at the size and shape of the uterus and the thickness of the uterine lining (endometrium).
- Look at the size and shape of the ovaries.
- Check the condition and size of the ovaries during treatment for infertility.
- Confirm a pregnancy and whether it is in the uterus. Pelvic ultrasound may be used early in pregnancy to check the age of the pregnancy or to find a tubal pregnancy (ectopic pregnancy) or multiple pregnancy.
- Check the cervical length in a pregnant woman at risk for preterm labor.
- Check a lump found during a pelvic examination.
- Check uterine fibroids found during a pelvic examination. Pelvic ultrasound may also be done to check the growth of uterine fibroids.
- Guide a procedure to remove an ovarian follicle for in vitro fertilization.
For men, pelvic ultrasound may be done to:
- Look at the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland.
- Check for prostate cancer. Other tests, including digital rectal examination, prostate-specific antigen blood test, and prostate biopsy, may also be used.
- See if urinary problems are being caused by a prostate that is getting bigger, such as from benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).
- Check to see if a problem with the prostate gland may be causing infertility.
WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise
VIVELLE-DOT (estradiol transdermal system) IS AVAILABLE BY PRESCRIPTION ONLY.
INDICATION
Vivelle-Dot is used after menopause to: reduce moderate to severe hot flashes; treat moderate to severe dryness, itching and burning in or around the vagina; help reduce your chances of getting osteoporosis (thin weak bones); and treat certain conditions in which a young woman's ovaries do not produce enough estrogens naturally. Vivelle-Dot 0.025 mg/day is only used to prevent osteoporosis from menopause. If you use Vivelle-Dot only to treat your dryness, itching, and burning in and around your vagina or if you use Vivelle-Dot only to prevent osteoporosis from menopause, talk with your healthcare professional about whether a different treatment or medicine without estrogens might be better for you.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Estrogens increase the chances of getting cancer of the uterus (womb). Report any unusual vaginal bleeding right away while you are taking estrogens. Vaginal bleeding after menopause may be a warning sign of cancer of the uterus (womb).
Do not use estrogens with or without progestins to prevent heart disease, heart attacks, or strokes. Using estrogens with or without progestins may increase your chances of getting heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and blood clots. Using estrogens with progestins may increase your risk of dementia (decline in memory and thinking skills).
Vivelle-Dot should not be used if you have unusual vaginal bleeding; currently have or have had certain cancers, including cancer of the breast or uterus; had a stroke or heart attack in the recent past (for example, in the past year); currently have or have had blood clots; currently have or have had liver problems; or think you may be, or know that you are, pregnant.
The most common side effects that may occur with Vivelle-Dot are headache, breast tenderness, and back pain.
You and your healthcare professional should talk regularly about whether you still need treatment with Vivelle-Dot.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please see Full Prescribing Information for Vivelle-Dot.
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Ob-Gyn Laura Corio explains why women should not try to diagnose their own yeast infection.
