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Pelvic Ultrasound

(continued)

How It Feels

If you have transabdominal ultrasound, you will likely feel pressure in your bladder and a strong urge to urinate because your bladder is full.

The gel may feel cold when it is put on your belly. You will feel light pressure from the transducer as it passes over your belly. If you have an injury or pelvic pain, the light pressure of the transducer may be painful. You will not hear or feel the sound waves.

You most likely will have a little pain during a transvaginal or transrectal ultrasound. You will feel pressure from the transducer probe as it is put into your vagina or rectum.

If a biopsy is done during the ultrasound, you may have some pain when the sample is taken.

Risks

There is a slight risk of infection from a transvaginal or transrectal ultrasound. If a biopsy is done, the chance of infection is higher. Call your doctor if you have an abnormal discharge or fever after the test.

Results

A pelvic ultrasound uses sound waves to make a picture of the organs and structures in the lower belly (pelvis).

**Pelvic ultrasound in women**
Normal:	Your ovaries, cervix, and uterus have a normal shape and size and are in the normal place. No growths, tumors, fluid, or other problems, such as cysts, are present. Small cysts (follicles) in the ovaries of women who are able to have children are normal.
	If you are using an intrauterine device (IUD), it is in the uterus.
	If you are in the first trimester of pregnancy, your baby (fetus) is developing inside the uterus.
	Your bladder is normal in size and shape. No stones or abnormal growths are present. If the bladder is checked before and after urination, it empties completely. Urine flows normally from the ureters into the bladder.
Abnormal:	Your uterus is big or abnormally shaped because of uterine fibroids. Cysts or tumors are present, such as cancerous or noncancerous tumors of the ovaries, uterus, or cervix.
	The thickness of the lining of the uterus (endometrium), called the endometrial stripe, is greater than normal. In some age groups, a thicker endometrial stripe (also called endometrial hyperplasia) may mean a higher chance of endometrial cancer.
	Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), abscesses, kidney stones, or other problems are present.
	An ectopic pregnancy is present.
	An abnormal amount of fluid is present in the pelvis.
	The bladder has an abnormal shape or a thick wall. A growth or stone is seen in the bladder. If the bladder is checked before and after urination, it may not empty completely during urination.

�

**Pelvic ultrasound in men**
Normal:	Your prostate gland and seminal vesicles are normal in size and shape. No growths, tumors, or other problems, such as cysts, are present.
Normal:	Your bladder is normal in size and shape. No stones or abnormal growths are present. If the bladder is checked before and after urination, it empties completely during urination. Urine flows normally from the ureters into the bladder.
Abnormal:	Your prostate gland is enlarged (benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH). This is one of the most common abnormal findings. An abscess, kidney stone in the urinary tract, or a tumor in or near the prostate gland or bladder may be present.
	The bladder has an abnormal shape or a thick wall. A growth or stone is seen in the bladder. If the bladder is checked before and after urination, it may not empty completely during urination.
	An abnormal amount of fluid is present in the pelvis.

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WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: June 08, 2011

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.