pelvic ultrasound pregnancy
Pelvic ultrasound may be performed using one or both of 2 methods:
- Transabdominal (through the abdomen). A transducer is placed on the abdomen using the conductive gel
- Transvaginal (through the vagina). A long, thin transducer is covered with the conducting gel and a plastic/latex sheath and is inserted into the vagina
The type of ultrasound procedure performed depends on the reason for the ultrasound. Only one method may be used, or both methods may be needed to provide the information needed for diagnosis or treatment.
What are female pelvic organs?
The organs and structures of the female pelvis are:
- Endometrium. The lining of the uterus
- Uterus (also known as the womb). The uterus is a hollow, pear-shaped organ located in a woman’s lower abdomen, between the bladder and the rectum. It sheds its lining each month during menstruation, unless a fertilized egg (ovum) becomes implanted and pregnancy follows.
- Ovaries. Two female reproductive organs located in the pelvis in which egg cells (ova) develop and are stored and where the female sex hormones estrogen and progesterone are produced.
- Cervix. The lower, narrow part of the uterus located between the bladder and the rectum, forming a canal that opens into the vagina, which leads to the outside of the body.
- Vagina (also known as the birth canal). The passageway through which fluid passes out of the body during menstrual periods. The vagina connects the cervix and the vulva (the external genitalia).
- Vulva. The external portion of the female genital organs
What are the reasons for a pelvic ultrasound?
Pelvic ultrasound may be used for measurement and evaluation of female pelvic organs. Ultrasound assessment of the pelvis may include, but is not limited to, the following:
- Size, shape, and position of the uterus and ovaries
- Thickness, echogenicity (darkness or lightness of the image related to the density of the tissue), and presence of fluids or masses in the endometrium, myometrium (uterine muscle tissue), fallopian tubes, or in or near the bladder
- Length and thickness of the cervix
- Changes in bladder shape
- Blood flow through pelvic organs
Pelvic ultrasound can provide much information about the size, location, and structure of pelvic masses, but cannot provide a definite diagnosis of cancer or specific disease. A pelvic ultrasound may be used to diagnose and assist in the treatment of the following conditions:
- Abnormalities in the anatomic structure of the uterus, including endometrial conditions
- Fibroid tumors (benign growths), masses, cysts, and other types of tumors within the pelvis
- Presence and position of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD)
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and other types of inflammation or infection
- Postmenopausal bleeding
- Monitoring of ovarian follicle size for infertility evaluation
- Aspiration of follicle fluid and eggs from ovaries for in vitro fertilization
- Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy occurring outside of the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube)
- Monitoring fetal development during pregnancy
- Assessing certain fetal conditions