Pelvic Ultrasound

What is a pelvic ultrasound?

A pelvic ultrasound is a scan that looks at the organs and structures in your pelvic area. It lets your healthcare provider look at your:

• Uterus
• Cervix
• Vagina
• Fallopian tubes
• Ovaries

Your provider can also use Doppler ultrasound to look at how blood is flowing in certain pelvic organs.

Ultrasound uses a device called a transducer to send out sound waves that are too high to be heard. The transducer sends the sound waves through your skin and other body tissues to the organs and structures within. The sound waves bounce off the organs like an echo and return to the transducer. The transducer picks up the reflected waves. These are changed into a picture of the organs.

The ultrasound technologist puts a clear gel on your skin and moves the transducer on the gel. The gel lets the technologist move the transducer smoothly over your skin. It also helps conduct the sound waves.

Pelvic ultrasound may be done in 2 ways:

• Transabdominal. A transducer is put on your belly using the gel.
• Transvaginal. A long, thin transducer is covered with a plastic or latex sheath and gel. The transducer is then put into the vagina.

The type of ultrasound procedure you have depends on why you need it. You may need only one type of pelvic ultrasound. Or you may need both to help your healthcare provider make a diagnosis or give you treatment.