Has your doctor told you to have a pelvic ultrasound? You may have felt a little scared and uneasy when he said that. Questions like 'Will this hurt?', 'Is it something serious?', 'How is this done?' probably come to mind. That's normal. So today, let's talk about this pelvic ultrasound in a simple way that you can understand. Once you know the truth about it, your fear will disappear.
Simply put, what is a pelvic ultrasound?
A pelvic ultrasound is a test that uses sound waves to create detailed pictures of the organs inside our body. We call these pictures a ``Sonogram.'' This is a very safe and quick test. It does not use any radiation like an X-ray.
'Pelvic' refers to our lower abdominal area . That is, it refers to the organs in the area between the abdomen and the legs. These organs include:
- Bladder: The place where urine collects.
- Fallopian tubes: Tubes that carry eggs from the ovaries to the uterus.
- Ovaries: The organs that produce and store eggs in women.
- Prostate: A gland related to the male reproductive system.
- Rectum: The last part of the large intestine.
- Uterus.
- Vagina.
Are there types of pelvic ultrasound scans?
Yes, there are several ways to do this scan. Each method is used depending on the organ being examined and the disease being investigated. Let's look at the main types.
| Scan type | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Abdominal Ultrasound (scan of the abdomen) | This is the method that most people are familiar with. It is done on the surface of the skin on your lower abdomen. |
| Transvaginal Ultrasound (scan through the vagina) | This method is used when you want to see the female reproductive organs (uterus, ovaries) very clearly. Here, the scanning device is inserted into the vagina. |
| Rectal Ultrasound (scan through the rectum) | This is used to look inside the rectum. This method is also used for a special scan to look at the prostate gland in men. |
| Pregnancy Ultrasound (a scan done during pregnancy) | This is done to check the growth of the baby in the womb. This also belongs to the abdominal type. |
In what cases would a doctor recommend this scan?
If you have certain symptoms, your doctor may refer you for this test to find the cause. For example:
- If you have pain in the lower abdomen or related area .
- If there is swelling in the lower abdomen.
- If you have a problem such as pain during urination or inability to control urine (urinary incontinence).
- If women have irregular menstrual cycles or bleeding after menopause.
- If you feel pain during sex .
- If you are having difficulty having children .
What medical conditions can be detected with this scan?
A pelvic ultrasound can diagnose many medical conditions. Let's take a look at what they are.
| Diagnosable medical conditions | |
|---|---|
| Conditions common to both men and women | |
| Bladder cancer | Possible cancerous conditions in the bladder. |
| Hernias | Protrusion of an internal organ through a weakened muscle. |
| Kidney stones | Identifying stones moving from the kidneys to the bladder. |
| Specific situations for women | |
| Ectopic pregnancy | Implantation of the embryo outside the uterus, usually in a fallopian tube. |
| Endometriosis | The growth of tissue similar to the lining of the uterus outside the uterus. |
| Ovarian cysts | Fluid-filled cysts that form in the ovaries. |
| Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) | A hormonal condition that causes many small cysts to form in the ovaries. |
| Uterine fibroids | Non-cancerous tumors that form in the muscles of the uterus. |
| Conditions specific to men | |
| Prostate cancer | Possible prostate cancer. |
| Testicular cancer | Cancer and infections that can occur in the testicles. |
In addition, this scan is used to check whether a copper intrauterine device (IUD) is in place and to accurately guide the needle if a small piece of tissue needs to be taken from an organ for a biopsy.
How is this scan done? Does it hurt?
This is probably the biggest question on your mind. Let's see how to do this.
When a scan is performed, a small device called a ``Transducer'' is used. Imagine that this transducer sends sound waves that we cannot hear into the body. Those sound waves hit the organs inside and bounce back (just like an echo). The sound that comes back is picked up by a computer, converted into an image, and displayed on a screen.
Do I need to prepare before the scan?
Before an abdominal ultrasound, you will be asked to drink plenty of water. This is because when your bladder is full, the sound waves can travel through it more easily and get a clear image of other organs. Other types of scans (Transvaginal/Rectal) do not usually require you to drink this much water. However, your doctor will give you instructions before the scan.
How to do the scan
- Abdominal scan: The doctor will apply a warm gel to your lower abdomen. This gel will help the transducer move smoothly over your skin and produce clear images. The transducer will then be moved around your lower abdomen to examine different areas. This will not cause any pain.
- Transvaginal scan: In this, a gel is applied to the transducer and it is inserted into your vagina. This may feel a little uncomfortable at first, like a gynecological exam. But the doctor will do it very carefully. This method can get very clear images of the uterus and ovaries.
- Rectal scan: In this scan, you are turned to lie on your side and the transducer is inserted into your rectum.
What happens after the scan?
You will not experience any side effects after the scan. You can go home normally. However, in the rare case that you experience any pain, bleeding, or fever, let your doctor know right away.
The images (sonograms) from the scan are carefully examined by a specialist doctor (`Radiologist`), who prepares a report and sends it to the doctor who is treating you. The doctor will then review the report and explain the results to you.
What are the benefits of a pelvic ultrasound?
There are several reasons why this scan is so popular among doctors:
- Detailed: Very high quality, clear images can be obtained.
- Quick: This test can usually be completed in between 15 minutes and an hour.
- Safe: No radiation is used that is harmful to the body. Therefore, even pregnant mothers can do it without fear.
A pelvic ultrasound is a very valuable test that can help detect many conditions early and start treatment quickly. Sometimes, this scan can even confirm that you don't have any disease. So, if your doctor asks you to do this test, don't be afraid to do it.
Take-Home Message
- Pelvic Ultrasound is a painless, very safe test that uses sound waves.
- This helps to diagnose many diseases of the lower abdominal organs in women and men.
- You may be asked to drink plenty of water before the abdominal scan. Follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
- If you have any questions or concerns about this test, never be afraid to talk openly with your doctor about it.
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