Pelvic Ultrasound

What is pelvic ultrasound?

A pelvic ultrasound (sonogram) uses reflected sound waves to produce a picture of organs and other structures in the lower abdomen (pelvis).

Pelvic ultrasound can be done three ways:

Transabdominal ultrasound, which uses a small handheld instrument called a transducer, passed back and forth over the skin of the lower abdomen
Transrectal ultrasound, which uses a transducer shaped to fit into the rectum
Transvaginal ultrasound, which uses a transducer shaped to fit into a woman’s vagina

Who needs pelvic ultrasound?

A pelvic ultrasound may be recommended to find the cause of blood in the urine, difficult urination, or pelvic pain. They may also be used during cancer diagnosis.

For women, pelvic ultrasound may be recommended to:

Find the cause of unexplained vaginal bleeding
Diagnose pelvic inflammatory disease
Locate a misplaced intrauterine device
Monitor the condition and size of the ovaries during infertility treatment
Confirm a pregnancy, determine the age of an unborn baby, check the viability of a pregnancy, or detect an ectopic or multiple pregnancy. Find more information about pregnancy in our pregnancy health library.
Get more information on a lump, fibroid, or other mass found during a physical examination of the pelvis
Help guide instruments used to remove an ovarian follicle for in vitro fertilization

For men, a pelvic ultrasound may be done to:

Examine the seminal vesicles, and the texture, size, and condition of the prostate gland
Diagnose prostate cancer or enlargement
Find the cause of infertility

Pelvic ultrasound is performed by the order of a physician.

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