When is a Pelvic and Bladder Ultrasound Performed?
If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation or if you need a second opinion, please contact us or call: 646-663-4151
Dr. Alex Shteynshlyuger is a board-certified urologist in NYC who specializes in treating men and women with urinary problems including frequent urination, difficulty emptying the bladder, urinary urgency and incontinence.
What are the Reasons that a Pelvic / Bladder Ultrasound is Done?
Pelvic and bladder ultrasound refers to an imaging modality used to visualize the internal organs located in the pelvis that include the urinary bladder. In men, the pelvis also houses the prostate gland. In women, the pelvis houses the uterus and ovaries.
How is a Pelvic Ultrasound Performed?
The most common reason to need a pelvic ultrasound at New York Urology Specialists is when a patient has urinary symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, slow stream, or incontinence.
In women, a pelvic ultrasound evaluates the reproductive and urinary organs (uterus, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and urinary bladder). This helps the doctor find out why a woman is experiencing urinary symptoms, pelvic pain, menstrual problems, or abnormal bleeding. If you are experiencing swelling, bloating, irregular menstruation, heavy bleeding with menstruation, or post-menopausal bleeding, your doctor may recommend a pelvic ultrasound. This test is also performed in women who are undergoing ovulation assessment and pre-IVF testing.
In men, a pelvic ultrasound evaluates the reproductive and urinary organs (prostate gland, seminal vesicles, and urinary bladder). This helps the doctor find out why a man is experiencing an incomplete emptying of the urinary bladder. It can help confirm symptoms suggestive of an enlarged prostate. If you have an increased frequency of urination, your doctor may recommend a pelvic ultrasound.
What Medical Problems can be Diagnosed with a Pelvic Ultrasound?
The most common reason for a bladder ultrasound is to assess the bladder wall, bladder capacity and post-void residual (the amount of urine that gets left behind in the bladder after a person has finished urinating). Bladder ultrasound can detect bladder stones, bladder tumors (cancers) and bladder diverticula. It may also detect ureteroceles among other urological problems.
A pelvic ultrasound can help identify bladder tumors, kidney stones, and other disorders of the urinary tract in both men and women.
The Following Problems can be Diagnosed with a Pelvic Ultrasound in Women:
- Incomplete emptying of the bladder
- Bladder diverticulum
- Bladder Stones
- Ureteral obstruction
- Bladder mass
- Uterine fibroids
- Ovarian cysts
- Presence and position of IUD (intrauterine contraceptive device)
- Size of ovarian follicles (for infertility evaluation)
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Polycystic ovary disease
The Following Problems can be Diagnosed with a Pelvic Ultrasound in Men:
If you have any questions, to schedule a consultation or if you need a second opinion, please contact us or call: 646-663-4151
Ultrasound studies are performed in our offices by appointment.