What should I expect during a pelvic ultrasound?

A pelvic ultrasound is a non-invasive scan that uses sound waves to create detailed images of the organs and structures of your pelvis. 

Your healthcare provider may order a pelvic ultrasound to investigate symptoms like pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, or unexplained infertility.

An ultrasound of your pelvis can give your healthcare provider high-resolution pictures of a woman’s bladder, ovaries, uterus, cervix, and fallopian tubes, or images of a man’s bladder, prostate gland, and seminal vesicles.

In this short guide, we’ll help you understand how to get ready for your pelvic ultrasound, what you can expect during and after an ultrasound, and what to expect from your ultrasound results.

Preparing for a pelvic ultrasound

Preparing for a pelvic ultrasound is straightforward, but there are a few key steps to ensure the study goes smoothly, and that you get the most accurate results available. 

Let’s see everything you can do to get ready for your upcoming ultrasound appointment.

How should I prepare for a pelvic ultrasound?

Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions, but generally, you may be asked to drink several glasses of water before your appointment. A full bladder helps improve the quality of the images. 

It’s also helpful to arrive a bit early to your appointment to fill out any necessary paperwork, and to allow enough time for any last-minute prep or paperwork.

What should I wear to my ultrasound appointment?

Comfort is key when dressing for your ultrasound appointment. Choose loose-fitting clothing that is easy to remove or adjust, as you may need to change into a gown, or adjust your clothing to allow the technologist to access your pelvic area.

Should I avoid any foods or drinks before an ultrasound?

For a pelvic ultrasound, you do not usually need to fast or avoid specific foods. However, it’s essential to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions. 

Your provider may ask you to drink a few glasses of water before the ultrasound, just to make sure your bladder is full, which can make it easier to see your pelvic structure more clearly. 

Is it OK to keep taking my regular medication?

Yes, you can usually continue taking your regular medications before a pelvic ultrasound. Depending on what your healthcare provider tells you, you may need to pause taking certain medications (like aspirin or blood thinners), and restart them after your scan.

You should inform your healthcare team about any medications you are taking, or any underlying medical conditions you are experiencing, to ensure the most accurate results from your ultrasound. Always follow the specific guidance provided by your healthcare provider regarding medication management before your study.

During your pelvic ultrasound

Now that we know a little more about how to get ready for an ultrasound, let’s see what happens during a pelvic ultrasound, so you’ll know what to expect on the day of your appointment.

In this section, we’ll get a closer look at what happens during an ultrasound scan of your pelvic area.

What happens during a pelvic ultrasound?

A pelvic ultrasound is a study that usually involves one of a couple of different kinds of ultrasound scans: transabdominal and transvaginal. What happens during your ultrasound will depend on the type of scan your provider has ordered.

For a transabdominal ultrasound, you will lie on an examination table, and your ultrasound technologist (which is also called a sonographer) will apply a clear gel to your lower abdomen. This gel helps the ultrasound transducer, a handheld device, to glide gently across your skin. The technologist will then move the transducer over your abdomen to capture images of your pelvic organs. 

For a transvaginal ultrasound, a specially designed transducer is gently inserted into the vaginal canal, to get a closer look at the pelvic organs. A transvaginal ultrasound provides highly detailed images of a woman’s pelvic area, and is often used when your provider needs more precise images.

What will the ultrasound technologist do during the study?

During a pelvic ultrasound, an ultrasound technologist will guide you through each step, ensuring you are comfortable and understand what is happening. 

For a transabdominal ultrasound, your technologist will apply the gel and move the transducer over your lower abdomen, capturing images on a monitor. 

During a transvaginal ultrasound, the technologist will explain how the transducer is inserted, including the steps involved and what sensations you might feel, and they will ensure you are positioned comfortably by adjusting your posture and providing any necessary support.

Throughout the exam, your technologist will capture various images, and might ask you to change positions slightly to get the best possible views of your pelvic organs.

How long does a pelvic ultrasound take?

A pelvic ultrasound typically takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete. The exact time can vary, depending on the specific details of your examination, and on the kind of pelvic ultrasound you are having. After the images are taken, one of our radiologists will review them to ensure they are clear and comprehensive.

Will I feel any discomfort during my ultrasound?

Many people find a pelvic ultrasound to be a comfortable and painless study. You might feel slight pressure on your abdomen during the transabdominal ultrasound, especially if you have a full bladder. 

During the transvaginal ultrasound, you may feel some mild discomfort when the transducer is inserted, but it should not be painful. 

Your ultrasound technologist will communicate with you throughout the exam to ensure you are comfortable, and address any concerns you might have. If you do experience any discomfort, please let the technologist know immediately so they can make changes to ensure your comfort.

After your pelvic ultrasound

For most people, a pelvic ultrasound is a fairly quick and simple scan that will not likely require aftercare. 

Here, we’ll take a closer look at what happens immediately after your pelvic ultrasound, and at what you should do after your scan.

What should I expect right after my pelvic ultrasound?

Once your pelvic ultrasound is complete, your technologist will wipe away the gel used during the study. The gel is water-based and non-staining, making it easy to clean off with a towel or a tissue. You might feel a little sticky where the gel was applied, but this should go away quickly.

How soon after my ultrasound will I be able to return to normal activities?

You can return to your normal activities immediately after your pelvic ultrasound. This is a non-invasive study, so it doesn’t require any recovery time, and can go back to your routine without any restrictions. 

After your ultrasound, If you experience any discomfort or have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare provider for guidance.

Understanding your pelvic ultrasound results

Your ultrasound results are a valuable resource for your healthcare, so it’s a great idea to understand what your results mean, so you can get the care you need.

In this section, we’ll look at how you can access your ultrasound results, who will examine your results, and the questions you can ask your provider once your results are available.

How and when will I receive the results from my ultrasound?

After your pelvic ultrasound, the images captured will be reviewed by our radiologist, a specialist trained in interpreting medical imaging. 

Our radiologist will closely examine your results, and send them to your provider, who will discuss them with you. Typically, your healthcare provider will receive a detailed report from the radiologist within a few days, and will inform you within a week or so.

Once your healthcare provider has received the radiologist’s report, they will contact you to discuss the results. This could be through a phone call, a secure online portal, or an in-person appointment. If you have any concerns or questions in the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out to your healthcare provider for an update.

Who will explain my ultrasound results to me?

Your healthcare provider will go over our radiologist’s findings with you, and will outline what the results mean for your health. This is your chance to understand any issues that your ultrasound identified, and as necessary, to discuss the next steps in your care plan.

Your healthcare provider will use your ultrasound results to help diagnose any conditions you might have or to monitor an existing condition. They should explain the findings in clear, understandable terms, and answer any questions you have.

What questions should I ask my healthcare provider about my results?

When discussing your pelvic ultrasound results with your healthcare provider, consider asking the following questions to gain a better understanding of your health:

• What do my results show you about my health?
• Did you see any abnormalities or concerns?
• Do I need any further tests or follow-up ultrasounds?

If your provider finds anything concerning, consider asking these questions:

• What are my treatment options?
• How can I manage or monitor my condition moving forward?
• Should I make any lifestyle changes?

Remember, your healthcare provider is there to support you, so don’t hesitate to ask questions that are on your mind.

How to schedule an appointment with us

Our goal is to offer you and your healthcare provider the most informative results possible, and we make it easy for you to get an appointment. 

With numerous locations across South Jersey, you’ll find us conveniently located near major highways and key bridges in the region. 

We’ll ensure the entire scheduling process is as effortless as possible for you. Above all, we are here to help you.

Reach out to us at any of the following locations to book an appointment:

• Cherry Hill Office – Cherry Hill, NJ
• Haddonfield Office – Haddonfield, NJ
• Marlton (Greentree) Office – Marlton, NJ
• Medford Office – Medford, NJ
• Moorestown Office – Moorestown, NJ
• Mount Laurel Office – Mount Laurel, NJ
• Turnersville Office – Turnersville, NJ
• Route 73 (Voorhees) Office – Voorhees Township, NJ
• Voorhees (Carnie Blvd) Office – Voorhees Township, NJ
• Sewell (Washington Twp) Office – Sewell, NJ
• West Deptford Office – West Deptford, NJ
• Willingboro Office – Willingboro, NJ
• Women’s Center at Cross Keys – Sewell, NJ
• Women’s Center at Medford – Medford, NJ
• Women’s Center at Mount Laurel – Mount Laurel, NJ
• Women’s Center at Voorhees – Voorhees Township, NJ

Learn more about the board-certified, subspecialized radiologists who read, analyze and interpret the findings here at South Jersey Radiology Associates.