When to Get a Pelvic Ultrasound
At Specialty Surgical Center, we have three gynecological partners on our team who are experts at OB/GYN care. In order to diagnose or treat a current condition, they may do what is known as a pelvic ultrasound. For women, it is used to take images of the bladder, ovaries, uterus, cervix, and fallopian tubes. For men, a pelvic ultrasound looks at the bladder, prostate gland, and seminal vesicles.
When to have a pelvic ultrasound
Pelvic ultrasounds are great at detecting urinary problems. It can see if the bladder is fully emptying by looking at how it changes in size before and after urination. Another reason a patient might come to Specialty Surgical Center is if they have blood in their urine and need to find out why. Finally, a pelvic ultrasound is a meaningful tool that can detect certain cancers and growths.
How it’s done
When patients first come in, they may be asked to wear a surgical gown. Transrectal ultrasounds evaluate a man’s prostate. First, the surgeon will lubricate the imaging tool called a transducer. As the surgeon does this, the patient will roll onto his side and tuck in his knees. The lubricated transducer is then placed into the rectum. A transvaginal ultrasound is similar to a gynecology exam. Your feet may be put up in stirrups and the device is similar to that used during a pap smear. Fortunately, the transducer is smaller and only goes a few inches into the vagina. Finally, there are transabdominal ultrasounds. This type of ultrasound does not get inserted into anything. The transducer is placed on the abdomen and uses gel to easily move around to see the pelvic muscles.
All pelvic ultrasounds work by producing sound waves to get an image of the pelvic floor muscles. It’s different from X-ray imaging because it does not use radiation to collect the images. Overall, it should only take a few minutes. Our team will be able to look at the images in real time and look for the underlying problem. Based on their conclusions, they will be able to determine the next steps in treatment if an abnormality was found. Generally, patients will not need to get regular pelvis exams unless specifically requested by their doctor.
Specialty Surgical Center is located in Sparta, New Jersey and our staff consists of board certified surgeons and anesthesiologists performing procedures in Orthopedics, Sports Medicine, Spinal Care, Podiatry, Urology, Pain Management, ENT, Hand Surgery, Lithotripsy, Brachytherapy, GYN and Laser Surgery.
For more information about Specialty Surgical Center, call 973-940-3166 or visit our Contact Page.