What is an ultrasound?

An ultrasound (sometimes called a sonogram) is a diagnostic test that uses sound waves to look inside your body.  The handheld wand or transducer emits a sound wave of a very high frequency that bounces off of the tissues.  The echoes that return are measured and turned into a picture by the computer in the ultrasound machine.  The denser a tissue is, the brighter the echo will be.  Water-filled spaces have little for the sound to bounce off of, so they will look black.  Bone is very dense, so it will have a bright white echo.  Everything in between will be a shade of gray.  With ultrasound we are able to look deep into your body and get a picture without having to perform surgery or expose you to x-rays.

Ultrasounds are often done for gynecological reasons.  These ultrasounds are usually done with the transducer placed in the vagina.  Reasons for a gynecological ultrasound include:

• Irregular periods
• Cessation of periods without pregnancy
• Pain
• Excessive bleeding
• Postmenopausal bleeding
• A mass felt upon examination

During a gynecological ultrasound we will be looking at the following:

• Uterine size, shape, position, and density
• The lining of the uterus
• The fallopian tubes
• Ovarian size, density, number of follicles seen
• Any masses, cysts, or fluid seen in the pelvis

We will not be evaluating your bowels, gallbladder, kidneys, etc.  Excessive bowel gas or constipation may interfere with ultrasound results.  If you are prone to these conditions please speak to your nurse or doctor for advice prior to your ultrasound.  A stool softener and avoiding gassy foods may be recommended.

Is ultrasound safe?

The sound wave is strongest as it leaves the transducer and enters the gel.  It is immediately absorbed by the tissues it passes through.  But, since ultrasound does introduce a sound wave that  exceeds the normal range of sound, it is suggested that its use be reserved for diagnostic purposes over a short duration.

What will happen at my ultrasound visit?

If you are not pregnant, you will probably have a vaginal ultrasound.  You will be asked to undress from the waist down and a transducer will be placed in your vagina.  This allows us to use a higher frequency of sound that will give us much clearer pictures.  It also allows us to avoid looking through your stomach muscle, in order to get closer to the area of interest.  The transducer will be gently moved to see different structures in your pelvis. 

If you have an abdominal ultrasound, we will first apply gel to your abdomen to give the sound waves something to travel through.  The transducer will be moved around to allow us to see your pelvis at different angles.  We will take measurements and pictures of specific features. 

We try very hard to stay on time with our ultrasound appointments.  Emergencies do occur, but we ask you to do your part by not arriving late.  If you are more than 5  minutes late for your appointment, there may not be time to perform a complete scan and you may be asked to reschedule.  We also will not wait for friends or relatives who are not at the office when your scan is scheduled.  Please be considerate and be on time!