Pelvic ultrasound or pelvic exploration

What is a pelvic ultrasound?

Apelvic ultrasound is a medical examination frequently prescribed for women, enabling detailed examination of pelvic organs and structures such as the uterus, cervix, vagina, fallopian tubes and ovaries. This medical imaging method offers a precise view of the various parts of the pelvic region, and enables its structures to be evaluated.

Why do I need a pelvic ultrasound?

Pelvic ultrasound may be prescribed to measure and evaluate the female pelvic organs. Ultrasound evaluation of the pelvis may include, without limitation, the following:

• The size, shape and position of the uterus and ovaries.
• Thickness, echogenicity (darkness or clarity of image due to tissue density) and presence of fluids or masses in the endometrium, myometrium (uterine muscle tissue), fallopian tubes or in or near the bladder.
• Cervical length and thickness
• Changes in bladder shape
• Blood flow in the pelvic organs.

Pelvic ultrasound can provide a great deal of information on the size, location and structure of pelvic masses, but it cannot make a definitive diagnosis of cancer or specific pathology. However, it is a powerful tool for revealing certain anomalies.

What abnormalities can be observed with a pelvic ultrasound?

Make a pelvic ultrasound can be used to diagnose and assist in the treatment of the following conditions:

• Anomalies of the anatomical structure of the uterus, including endometrial disorders.
• Fibroid tumors (benign tumours), masses, cysts and other types of tumour in the pelvis.
• Presence and position of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD).
• Pelvic inflammatory disease (PIM) and other types of inflammation or infection
• Postmenopausal bleeding
• Ovarian follicle size monitoring for the infertility assessment.
• Aspiration of follicular fluid and eggs from the ovaries for in vitro fertilization.
• Ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy occurring outside the uterus, generally in the Fallopian tube)
• Monitoring fetal development during pregnancy
• Assessment of certain fetal conditions

Ultrasound can also be used to facilitate other procedures, such as endometrial biopsy. Pelvic ultrasound may employ one or two methods, and sometimes both.

How does a pelvic ultrasound work?

Apelvic ultrasound is a simple, painless medical examination that visualizes pelvic organs such as the uterus, ovaries, bladder and prostate. Here's how the examination works:

• Pre-examination preparation :
  Depending on the type of examination, it may be advisable to drink water to fill the bladder, which facilitates visualization of certain organs. This preparation is more often required for abdominal ultrasound. If the examination is performed endovaginally, it is generally not necessary to fill the bladder.
• Abdominal examination :
  A gel is applied to the abdomen to facilitate the transmission of sound waves. The doctor or technician moves a probe over the skin to take images of the pelvic organs. Although the examination is painless, the doctor may apply slight pressure to better visualize certain organs.
• Endovaginal examination :
  If more detailed images are required, particularly to examine the uterus and ovaries, a smaller probe is inserted into the vagina. This allows more precise visualization of internal pelvic structures.
• After the exam :
  Once the examination is over, the gel is cleaned and the patient can get dressed. Results are often available immediately or shortly afterwards, and a report is issued by the doctor.

Pelvic ultrasound is a quick, generally painless examination that can be used to diagnose pathologies such as fibroids, ovarian cysts and other pelvic disorders.