Ultrasound examination wins over other diagnostic procedures, not only because it gives accurate results, it helps to identify a whole list of diseases. This is a completely painless procedure, safe for the patient. But, as with many other types of diagnostics, the correct and complete preparation of the patient is important here. The instructions depend directly on the type of procedure.
In the article we will analyze in detail how to prepare for a pelvic ultrasound for women. What are the indications for the procedure, how is it carried out. We will also see if it is possible to independently decipher the result of an ultrasound examination.
What does the procedure reveal?
Ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs is prescribed for the timely detection of pathologies of the genitourinary system. This is one of the most painless, fast, informative types of diagnostics. Preparing for a pelvic ultrasound for women, men and children is simple. Therefore, the procedureprescribed to patients of any age and gender.
This type of ultrasound reveals the following:
- Cystitis.
- Formation of polyps and cysts.
- Pathological changes in the structures of the pelvic organs.
- Presence of any stones in the bladder - sand or stones (urolithiasis).
- Inflammatory processes affecting the genitourinary system.
- Various neoplasms - malignant and benign tumors, adenomas, lipomas, fibroids.
- Endometriosis.
- Salpingoophoritis.
- Violation of fetal development during pregnancy.
- Problems with the development of the genital organs in children and adolescents.
- Prostatitis in men.
- Ectopic pregnancy.
- Change in the position, size, structure of female genital organs: ovaries, uterus.
- Obstruction of the fallopian tubes.
- Disturbances in the structure of the cervix.
- Changes in the position or condition of contraceptives (meaning the spiral).
General indications for the procedure
Preparation for pelvic ultrasound for women and men is also important for preventive purposes. It is recommended to carry out this procedure 1-2 times a year for the timely detection of diseases of the genitourinary system.
However, most often, preparation for pelvic ultrasound for women is relevant when contacting a general practitioner, nephrologist, gynecologist or other specialist with certain he alth complaints. In particular, ultrasound is prescribed infollowing cases:
- Pain in the lower back, back or lower abdomen.
- Bleeding of an incomprehensible nature that appears after the menstrual cycle, outside of it.
- Appearance of pus and/or mucus in the urine.
- Discomfort, burning, pain when urinating.
- Urinary incontinence.
- Difficulty or inability to urinate.
Specific indications for the procedure
Also, ultrasound of the genitourinary system can be prescribed to the patient in the following cases:
- To establish the fact of pregnancy, determine its timing.
- Monitoring the course of pregnancy (at least one procedure per trimester).
- To monitor the condition of the genital organs before and after an abortion.
- Before and after surgery involving the organs of the genitourinary system.
- When diagnosing breast disease.
- To select and prescribe a contraceptive. And after its installation - to control the state of the spiral.
- If there are suspicions of inflammatory processes in the genital organs, oncological neoplasms.
Survey types
How to prepare for a pelvic ultrasound for women? The answer also depends on what type of ultrasound examination was prescribed by the doctor. It is selected according to the following:
- Which organs should be examined?
- Which disease should be confirmed or denied?
- Does the patient live sexuallylife?
- What is the patient complaining about? Does the person experience severe pain when trying to assume the required position for the examination?
Depending on the answers to these questions, the patient can be assigned one of three types of ultrasound:
- Abdominal.
- Transvaginal.
- Transrectal.
Let's characterize each of them in more detail.
Abdominal examination
What do they look at pelvic ultrasound in women with such an examination? The abdominal procedure allows you to notice inflammation, neoplasms or other pathological changes in the structure of the following organs:
- Uterus.
- Ovaries.
- Bladder.
- Men have a prostate.
This is the most painless and simple examination. It is not invasive or endoscopic. That is, an incision in the abdominal cavity or the introduction of sensors into the patient's body is not required. It is abdominal ultrasound that will be prescribed if it is impossible to conduct examinations of the other two types.
How is a pelvic ultrasound performed in women abdominally? The doctor lubricates the patient's lower abdomen with a special gel. Then he runs a sensor over it. The image is instantly transferred to the screen of the device.
Transvaginal examination
According to reviews of pelvic ultrasound in women, it can be judged that this is a somewhat unpleasant procedure. Indeed, to examine the organs, it is necessary to insert the sensor through the vagina.
But this type of examination is good because it helpsconsider in detail even the smallest changes in the structure of the organs of the reproductive system. With its help, neoplasms are found in the uterus and neighboring organs at the very initial stage of tumor development. In addition, during this study, it is possible to additionally take a sample of biomaterial for analysis.
However, transvaginal ultrasound is not prescribed for patients who are not yet sexually active, so as not to injure the mucous membranes of the cervix and vagina. Naturally, for obvious reasons, this kind of ultrasound is not assigned to a man.
This pelvic ultrasound is not recommended for menstruating women. The patient is advised to wait until the end of the menstrual cycle. An exception can only be an emergency situation when it is urgent to find out about the state of the organs of the genitourinary system.
Transrectal examination
This form of ultrasound gives no less clear results than a transvaginal examination. Allows you to identify even the smallest formations at the very initial stage. But most often it is prescribed not to women, but to men. Allows you to identify abnormalities in the work of the testes, prostate, cancerous tumors.
However, a transrectal examination can also be prescribed for a girl, a woman in case the abdominal is not enough or its results are unclear. It is also prescribed for girls who do not live sexually, as a replacement for transvaginal ultrasound. In this case, the sensor of the medical device is inserted into the patient's rectum.
How to prepare for a pelvic ultrasound for women? It all depends on what kind of research you have.appointed.
Preparing for an abdominal procedure
We are talking about pelvic ultrasound in women. Preparation is needed here in any case. But most of the actions will have to be done during the abdominal examination:
- 2-3 days before the examination (preferably a week before) begin to adhere to a special diet.
- Last meal before ultrasound - no later than 6 hours before the procedure.
- It is recommended to use special preparations to cleanse the intestines. Or do a regular enema.
Why is this needed? In order to free the intestinal tract from accumulated gases, to prevent flatulence and bloating. All these conditions interfere with obtaining a clear image during ultrasound. If the patient suffers from increased gas formation, constipation, he is obliged to inform the doctor in advance. The doctor will prescribe special drugs that will minimize the impact of such conditions during ultrasound diagnostics.
Special Diet
When preparing for a pelvic ultrasound, a woman should follow a simple diet for a few days before the procedure:
- The menu should consist more of easily digestible food. These are cereals, low-fat fish and meat dishes, hard cheeses, omelettes or boiled eggs, herbal or weak black tea.
- It is necessary to abandon foods that take a long time to digest by the body or cause increased gas formation. These are: vegetables (especially cabbageand potatoes), legumes (beans, peas, corn), dairy products (milk, cottage cheese, kefir), fatty foods (especially meat and fish), coffee, alcoholic and highly carbonated drinks, fast food, pastries, sweets, black bread.
It is also important to pay attention to the preparation immediately before the examination itself. An hour before the procedure, drink 0.5-1 liter of pure water. What for? A full bladder provides good echolocation during ultrasound. It is also recommended to wear loose, comfortable, easily removable clothing.
Preparing for the transvaginal procedure
We have determined how abdominal ultrasound of the pelvic organs is done for women. In a transvaginal procedure, the transducer is inserted directly into the vagina. This type of examination does not require extensive preparation. Just do the following:
- Immediately before the examination itself, it is necessary to empty the bladder.
- At home, before going to the clinic, you need to pay attention to proper hygiene of the intimate area.
- It is better to refuse from the method of examination during menstruation. But if the ultrasound results are needed urgently for he alth reasons, an exception is made for the patient.
Although not in direct recommendations, doctors advise following the above diet for the transvaginal type of examination as well, in order to achieve more accurate ultrasound results.
Preparation for the transrectal procedure
Before this examination, it is necessary to empty the intestines. To do this, first doenema a few hours before the ultrasound. You can use the day before and special preparations that cleanse the intestinal tract, but only with the permission of the attending physician.
Usually, before a transrectal examination, you are asked to empty your bladder. However, some indications require filling this reservoir with urine. In particular, in the study of the causes of infertility or erectile dysfunction in men. In these cases, drink about 4 glasses of pure water before the diagnosis. Of course, it doesn't have to be a sweet or carbonated drink.
For any type of ultrasound, the following is prohibited:
- Drink alcoholic beverages.
- Smoking.
- Taking drugs.
Deciphering the result
The image on the screen obtained during an ultrasound scan can only be deciphered by an experienced specialist. The main condition for this is a clear, contrasting photo.
It is not at all necessary for the patient to examine the image and try to identify pathology on it, because the results of the examination are reported immediately here or they are prescribed in a separate medical document. In particular, you can find out the following:
- Cervical closure.
- Pathological course of pregnancy - localization or disturbances in the development of the child.
- Structural changes in the ovaries - quantity, size, shape, quality of follicles.
- The presence of congenital anomalies in the structure of the pelvic organs.
- Oncological neoplasms.
- Endometriosis (excessive growth of tissueuterus).
- The presence of nodular muscle formations - fibroids.
- Uterus size.
- Location of the contraceptive - spirals.
Feedback on the procedure
We have decided how to prepare for a pelvic ultrasound for women. Let's also get acquainted with the feedback of patients about this procedure.
They note that ultrasound is indispensable for determining pregnancy and its timing. This is by far the most accurate method when compared to store tests and lab tests.
For expectant mothers, this procedure helps to find out the necessary information about the development of the child in time. Today, with the help of ultrasound, it is possible to timely learn about the appearance of congenital abnormalities of the fetus.
Many say that with ultrasound they learned about serious diseases in time, they began treatment at the stage when full recovery is possible. Moreover, other research methods could not reveal a dangerous disease.
There are patients who report unpleasant effects during transvaginal and transrectal ultrasound. The reviews also say that in many clinics this procedure is paid, as is the use of the necessary consumables: napkins, disposable diapers, shoe covers.
Ultrasound is one of the most effective examination methods, allowing you to get fast and accurate results. But only with proper preparation for the procedure, which differs by type of ultrasound examination.
