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Pelvic Ultrasound - Why It Is Done
About this test
For men and women, pelvic ultrasound may be done to:
- Find the cause of blood in the urine (hematuria). An ultrasound of the kidneys may also be done.
- Find the cause of urinary problems.
- Look at the size of the bladder before and after urination. This can determine whether the bladder is emptying completely during urination.
- Check for growths in the pelvis.
- Guide the placement of a needle during a biopsy or when draining the fluid from a cyst or abscess.
- Check for colorectal cancer and how it is responding to treatment.
For women, pelvic ultrasound may be done to:
- Find out what is causing pelvic pain.
- Look for the cause of vaginal bleeding.
- Look for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
- Find an intrauterine device (IUD).
- Look at the size and shape of the uterus and the thickness of the uterine lining (endometrium).
- Look at the size and shape of the ovaries.
- Check the condition and size of the ovaries during treatment for infertility.
- Confirm a pregnancy and whether it is in the uterus. Pelvic ultrasound may be used early in pregnancy to check the age of the pregnancy or to find a tubal pregnancy (ectopic pregnancy) or multiple pregnancy.
- Check the cervical length in a pregnant woman at risk for preterm labor.
- Check a lump found during a pelvic examination.
- Check uterine fibroids found during a pelvic examination. Pelvic ultrasound may also be done to check the growth of uterine fibroids.
- Guide a procedure to remove an ovarian follicle for in vitro fertilization.
For men, pelvic ultrasound may be done to:
- Look at the seminal vesicles and the prostate gland.
- Check for prostate cancer. Other tests, including digital rectal examination, prostate-specific antigen blood test, and prostate biopsy, may also be used.
- See if urinary problems are being caused by a prostate that is getting bigger, such as from benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).
- Check to see if a problem with the prostate gland may be causing infertility.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: June 17, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine Sarah Marshall, MD - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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