Pelvic Ultrasound - Abdominal

A pelvic (transabdominal) ultrasound is an imaging test. It is used to examine organs in the pelvis.

Alternative Names

Ultrasound pelvis; Pelvic ultrasonography; Pelvic sonography; Pelvic scan; Lower abdomen ultrasound; Gynecologic ultrasound; Transabdominal ultrasound

How the Test is Performed

During the procedure, you will lie on your back on the table. Your health care provider will apply a clear gel on your abdomen.

Your provider will place a probe (transducer), over the gel, rubbing back and forth across your belly:

The probe sends out sound waves, which go through the gel and reflect off body structures. A computer receives these waves and uses them to create a picture.
Your provider can see the picture on a TV monitor.

Depending on the reason for the test, women also may have a transvaginal ultrasound during the same visit.

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How to Prepare for the Test

A pelvic ultrasound may be done with a full bladder. Having a full bladder can help with looking at organs, such as the womb (uterus), within your pelvis. You may be asked to drink a few glasses of water to fill your bladder. You should wait until after the test to urinate.

How the Test will Feel

The test is painless and easy to tolerate. The conducting gel may feel a little cold and wet.

Why the Test is Performed

A pelvic ultrasound is used during pregnancy to check the baby.

A pelvic ultrasound also may be done for the following:

Cysts, fibroid tumors, or other growths or masses in the pelvis found when your doctor examines you
Bladder growths or other problems
Kidney stones
Pelvic inflammatory disease, an infection of a woman's uterus, ovaries, or tubes
Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Menstrual problems
Problems becoming pregnant (infertility)
Normal pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy, a pregnancy that occurs outside the uterus
Pelvic pain

Pelvic ultrasound is also used during a biopsy to help guide the needle.

Normal Results

The pelvic structures or fetus are normal.

What Abnormal Results Mean

An abnormal result may be due to many conditions. Some problems that may be seen include:

Abscess in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or pelvis
Birth defects of the womb or vagina
Cancers of the bladder, cervix, uterus, ovaries, vagina, and other pelvic structures
Growths in or around the uterus and ovaries (such as cysts or fibroids)
Twisting of the ovaries
Enlarged lymph nodes

Risks

There are no known harmful effects of pelvic ultrasound. Unlike x-rays, there is no radiation exposure with this test.

References

Benacerraf BR, Goldstein SR, Groszmann YS. Normal pelvic ultrasound and common normal variants. In: Benacerraf BR, Goldstein SR, Groszmann YS, eds. Gynecologic Ultrasound: A Problem-Based Approach. Philadelphia. PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:221-233.

Stolz L, Adhikari S. Point-of-care pelvic ultrasound. In: Lumb P, Karakitsos D, eds. Critical Care Ultrasound. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 43.