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Why Gynecologists Recommend Pelvic Ultrasounds For Women Experiencing Problems

1 August 2017 by Ross Martin

If you are experiencing pain during intercourse or in your lower abdomen at certain times of the month, your doctor may recommend getting a pelvic ultrasound. An ultrasound is a test that is most commonly used during pregnancy, but it has other purposes too. Ultrasounds to locate sources of female problems is also very common, and the type you will need is called a pelvic ultrasound. Here are three important things to understand about pelvic ultrasounds.

How Ultrasounds Work

If you ever went through a pregnancy, you are probably familiar with ultrasounds. Doctors use these during pregnancy to examine the unborn baby inside a mother's womb. An ultrasound can help doctors find problems with babies before they are born, and they can ensure that a baby is growing at a normal pace.

The ultrasound you get for female problems works the same way as the type used during pregnancy. A technician places an instrument, which is called a transducer, on your abdomen during the test. This instrument uses high-frequency sound to see the inside of your body. Through this, the technician can see your organs in your pelvic area, and this is useful for spotting potential problems.

What Doctors Look For in Pelvic Ultrasounds

During a pelvic ultrasound, your doctor will look for irregularities with all your female organs. The instrument used in an ultrasound can see your cervix, vagina, uterus, ovaries, and other internal organs. It can also be used to look at your gallbladder, bladder, and pancreas. The goal is to examine these organs closely to look for signs of problems.

As the technician performs the test, he or she will take pictures and measurements of these organs. He or she will also note any irregularities discovered during the test. One common problem found during ultrasounds is cysts on the ovaries. Ovarian cysts are very common and normal, and they usually are not a problem. They can be problematic, though, if they are too big, or if they are certain types.

In addition, your doctor can spot problems such as issues with the lining of your uterus. This test can also help find out if you have pelvic floor prolapse, which is a condition when the muscles in this area fail to provide enough support for the organs. When this happens, the organs can begin to drop. This can lead to pain, incontinence, and many other problems.

Other Things to Know

In addition to getting an ultrasound of your pelvis, your doctor might also order a transvaginal ultrasound. This is an internal type of ultrasound that requires inserting a probe with a camera into your vagina. This test can often reveal more than a standard ultrasound, and doctors often require both types of ultrasounds to diagnose and locate female problems.

When you go in for your ultrasound, you will be instructed to come in with a full bladder. When the bladder is full, it helps the technician see your organs more clearly. After the ultrasound is complete, you will be able to release your bladder through urination. If you need a transvaginal ultrasound too, you will have this completed after emptying your bladder.

Getting an ultrasound is one of the best ways to determine if you have problems with your female organs. If you do, your doctor will talk to you about the treatment options necessary for the problems you are having.

If you are experiencing any types of female problems, you should visit a gynecologist. If he or she recommends getting an ultrasound, you should follow through with this, as this test can reveal a lot about your health. You can also visit establishments like EVDI Medical Imaging.

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