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Find Pelvic Ultrasound Locations

Pelvic ultrasound assesses your pelvic organs to characterize findings as normal or abnormal to diagnose and assist in treatment planning.

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Why Pelvic Ultrasound Is Important

A pelvic ultrasound uses sound waves to obtain images of your pelvic organs. Your physician may order a pelvic ultrasound to get a detailed look at the uterus, cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes, as well as the bladder and rectum, as they are also part of the pelvic space. While ultrasound excels at evaluating organs that are solid or fluid-filled, it is not optimal for evaluating gas-filled organs such as the bowel.

Ultrasound is the first line among medical diagnostic radiology imaging tools to diagnose ovarian cancer. It is also excellent for investigating premenopausal complaints, such as abnormal or heavy uterine bleeding, and conditions like pelvic floor prolapse or urinary incontinence.

When Is a Pelvic Ultrasound Needed?

A pelvic ultrasound is useful for examining common concerns, such as:

Ovarian cysts
Uterine fibroids
Uterine bleeding
Urinary incontinence
Uterine polyps
Pelvic floor prolapse

Ultrasound of the pelvis may help to evaluate findings your clinician has felt on your clinical examination, such as ovarian cysts or uterine fibroids. Your clinician may want to measure the thickness of the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, which is especially important for any uterine bleeding after menopause. A thickened endometrial lining can be a sign of endometrial hyperplasia. Too thin of an endometrial lining can also cause bleeding known as atrophic or estrogen-deficient bleeding.

Some women experience changes in their menstrual cycle in length or quantity. Ultrasound can determine whether your heavy or irregular menstrual bleeding is from a uterine polyp, fibroids, or adenomyosis.
Since ultrasound excels at evaluating the fluid-filled bladder, it can be used to assess whether you retain urine after voiding. Some women with frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs) may be unable to empty the bladder completely, which creates an optimal environment for growing bacteria.

Our Approach to Pelvic Ultrasound Imaging

At The Women’s Imaging Center, our technologists and physicians specialize in performing, detecting, and diagnosing pelvic ultrasound imaging and medical diagnostic conditions. We perform comprehensive imaging of the whole women and have decades of specialized training in all body organ systems and their interrelationships.

Thyroid dysfunction may affect other conditions, such as uterine bleeding. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) may be associated with autoimmune diseases. Only specialists who work within this vast field of Women’s Imaging will appreciate the relationship of one organ system to another. We specialize in all these processes and work closely with other specialists, such as endocrinologists, gynecologists, or surgeons, in a multi-disciplinary fashion, unlike other imaging centers.

What to Expect During a Pelvic Ultrasound

If you are premenopausal, try to schedule your imaging examination when you are not having your menses, optimally during days 6-14 of your cycle. A pelvic ultrasound generally consists of two components:

Transabdominal Pelvic Ultrasound

First, we use a transabdominal pelvic ultrasound to examine the pelvic organs from the outside of your abdomen. This imaging gives us a good view of the uterus, the outside of the cervix, and the ovaries.

We use the filled bladder as a lens to see through. In addition, a full bladder moves the bowel out of the way since ultrasound cannot see well through bowel gas. Therefore, we ask that you drink approximately 32 ounces of water 30 minutes before the procedure. If you can’t drink this amount, please drink what you can comfortably before the transabdominal ultrasound.

Transvaginal Ultrasound

For the second part, we will ask you to empty the bladder as well as you can. We will use another type of transducer called a transvaginal ultrasound probe (wand). The technologist will insert the probe into the vaginal canal like a tampon, or you may insert the probe instead if you desire. This component of the imaging scan allows the ultrasound crystals to be closest to the pelvic organs. We can obtain more detail on the ovaries and the endometrium using transvaginal ultrasound. We can also more closely evaluate the cervix, gathering gross detail instead of the cellular-level information we get with a Pap smear.

Endovaginal ultrasound is the most accurate way to measure the ovaries and uterine lining. However, if you are not sexually active or if there is any reason you do not feel comfortable with this part of the pelvic ultrasound, please let us know. We can use just the transabdominal component to gain impressions on the imaging if necessary.

Schedule a Pelvic Ultrasound Near Me

Call Us: (303) 321-2273

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Meet Our Specialists

At The Women’s Imaging Center, we perform comprehensive imaging for women, from head to toe. Our fellowship trained radiologists have decades of specialized training in all body organ systems and their interrelationships.

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Kelly McAleese, M.D.

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Timothy Colt, M.D.

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Barbara Jaeger, M.D.

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John Lewin, M.D.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pelvic Ultrasound

Why is a Pelvic Ultrasound done?

A Pelvic Ultrasound may be ordered by your physician to get a detailed look at the pelvic organs including the uterus, cervix, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. The bladder is also considered part of the pelvic space. Because ultrasound excels at evaluating organs that are fluid-filled, it excels at evaluating solid or fluid-filled organs but is not optimal for evaluating gas-filled organs such as the bowel.

When should I expect my results?

The technologist or radiologist will be able to share the pelvic ultrasound results with you at the time of the study. Your clinician will receive those results within 24 hours, unless comparisons are required which may take longer. You will then follow up with your referring clinician regarding their care plan. The technologist and radiologist will not be able to prescribe any treatment - that is solely the responsibility of the referring clinician as they are the ones who determine any next steps.

What is a Pelvic Ultrasound useful for?

A Pelvic Ultrasound is optimal to evaluate any solid or fluid-filled organs such as for finding uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts or endometrial (pelvic lining) problems like hyperplasia or polyps. Since ultrasound excels at seeing fluid, it is also used to evaluate for excess fluids in patients who complain of “bloating”.

What does a Pelvic Ultrasound not evaluate well?

A Pelvic Ultrasound cannot visualize gas-filled structures so lower abdominal pain that could be caused by small or large bowel problems cannot be determined by this technique. Very small structures such as fallopian tubes are typically seen by Pelvic Ultrasound unless there is excess water in the tubes called hydrosalpinx.

How is a Pelvic Ultrasound helpful in diagnosing ovarian cancer?

The ovaries naturally contain fluid called follicles or cysts. Follicle production is normal in all premenopausal women. Cysts, which are larger than follicles, also occur in some women. The persistence of complex-appearing ovarian cysts can suggest an abnormality that your gynecologist may want to follow up or evaluate further with laparoscopy. The ovaries cannot be biopsied externally like the cervix or endometrium because they are located within a larger peritoneal cavity. Therefore, pelvic ultrasound is vital in assessing whether further intervention is required. The ultrasound can provide your GYN with a detailed map before any intervention.

What if I need an emergency Pelvic Ultrasound?

If you are in need of an emergency pelvic ultrasound, please reach out to us at 303-321-2273. We have several locations in the Denver area where we can see you.

How does a Pelvic Ultrasound work?

A pelvic ultrasound is a radiology imaging technology that uses sound waves to distinguish normal from abnormal tissues within organs. Sound waves emit from crystals in a hand-held wand called a transducer or probe, reflected back to produce images that a specialized radiologist uses to distinguish various findings. This radiology technology is also called a sonogram since it uses sound waves.

Find a Pelvic or Uterus Ultrasound

Your search for a pelvic or uterus ultrasound can end with The Women’s Imaging Center. We use state-of-the-art technology at our many Denver locations to give our fellowship trained and specialized radiologists the clearest X-ray images, which provides our patients with the most accurate diagnosis.

Denver/Cherry Creek

3773 Cherry Creek N Dr. #101 Denver, CO 80209

(303) 321-2273

Find Pelvic Ultrasound Locations

Why Pelvic Ultrasound Is Important

When Is a Pelvic Ultrasound Needed?

Our Approach to Pelvic Ultrasound Imaging

What to Expect During a Pelvic Ultrasound

Schedule a Pelvic Ultrasound Near Me

Meet Our Specialists

Kelly McAleese, M.D.

Timothy Colt, M.D.

Barbara Jaeger, M.D.

John Lewin, M.D.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pelvic Ultrasound

Insurance Options We Honor

At the Women's Imaging Center, we accept most major insurance providers and provide affordable self-pay options. If you have any questions about whether we accept your insurance, please contact us at 303-321-2273.

Find a Pelvic or Uterus Ultrasound