Pelvic Ultrasound

I have been to my OB-GYN and she feels (and I agree) the best way to treat all my symptoms is for me to have a hysterectomy. She has scheduled me with a surgeon, but I don't see him for two more weeks. She also said she would get all the necessary test done before I see him, so I'm scheduled for a Pelvic Ultrasound on Tuesday. My question is with the P. U. what are they looking for? From my understanding there is no way to detect endometriosis, so I'm curious what they are looking for. Thanks for any info...

I've had Pelvic Ultrasounds in the past to check on the size of my fibroids. I'm not sure of everything they can see with the PU, but I know that with the fibroids in my breasts, they are able to see more with the ultrasound than with the mammogram. Maybe she just wants to see if there's anything else going on that will be detected with the PU. Better to get as much info ahead of time as possible.

The things that have been detected in me are: cysts, possible polyp, fluid, thickened uterine lining (hyperplasia.)and my all but closed up cervix. They can also find out things about tubes and bladder and other stuff too. I don't know that the results neccessarily show everything it is possible to see and what it is but it is a good starting point. Don't be surprised if they do the US from the inside too. No one told me that I would be having that so I was a little taken aback. The more test you results you have before you see the surgeon, the better. You might as well make good use of the time.

they can also check the size of the uterus which can help the surgeon make decisions regarding surgery tecnique

I also had a pelvic ultrasound. They discovered fibroids and ovarian cyst as the cause of my symptoms. They were also able to see the size of my uterus, which determined what type of hysterectomy I was a candidate for.

You will also be glad to know that it's pretty much a painless procedure.

Thank you all for the info.

The worse part of the ultrasound for me was holding the liquid which is necessary to get best pictures. If they do the internal ultrasound after the outer one, you are told to urinate before they start that one.
Ultrasounds are a very valuable diagnostic tool; they should have explained what they can gleam from the results...happy testing!

Ultrasound is what led my doc to believe I have endo & adhesions & ovarian cyst in addition to the fibroid that he was checking the growth of. Just so you won't be suprised, your doc may order a tummy AND a vaginal ultrasound. with the vag, there is a wand that they have you insert yourself like a tampon. Normally these are not painful, but in my case it was extremely painful. Anything besides basically sitting perfectly still gives me extra pain. You MUST have a full bladder....beyond full. After you have the tummy ultrasound you get to empty your bladder & get undressed for the vaginal. Also, the technician is not allowed to give any type of diagnosis, but they can show you your bladder, uterus, ovaries. Good luck to you.

itstime,
I learned something new. I have had several vaginal probe ultrasounds, and I have never had to insert in myself, my Dr. does it. I didn't know they would ever ask you to do it yourself. And we pay them the big bucks!LOL Also if your Dr. does it, don't worry, it looks much worse than it is. I found it hurt only if he moved it in certain ways. My Dr., who specializes in vaginal probe ultrasounds, was able to diagnose my adenomyosis as well. As the other women said it can be used to find all the above mentioned maladies. Adeno is tricky to diagnosem and usually can't be confirmed until the pathology report, but I have heard that either MRI or CAT scan can be effective for that too.
Good luck to you on your appointment!

When techs did mine they had me insert it. When the doctor that does them at my gyn's office does them he inserts it. I think I like it better when he does it. Hmmm that sounds kind of bad doesn't it. i keep trying to think if better ways to word it but I only come up with something more suggestive. CAT scans, MRI's and US each have different attributes that make one better than the other for looking at different things.