Pelvic Ultrasound

Exam Description

Your doctor has ordered an ultrasound of your pelvis. Ultrasound is a safe and painless procedure that uses sound waves to assess the structure of your internal body organs. The scan can help diagnose such medical conditions as pelvic masses in the uterus and ovaries.

How Do I Get Ready for My Exam?

For female patients, please drink 32 oz of water one hour before the scan. It is important not to use the restroom until your exam is completed.
Please wear comfortable clothing (ideally without metal) and leave your jewelry and valuables at home.
Please call the number below if you have any questions regarding your exam.
- (805) 681-7671

What Should I Do After Arriving for My Exam?

Please arrive at least 15 minutes prior to your appointment.
Please check in at the main registration desk and then check in at the reception desk in radiology.

What Should I Expect During My Exam?

The ultrasound technologists will explain your exam and answer any questions you may have.
Your ultrasound procedure requires you to lay down flat on your back on the scanning table.
The ultrasound technologists will apply warm gel to the skin of your abdomen. This gel is necessary to help the sound waves to get from the machine into your body.
A transducer, a small device, will be placed on the area being examined. You might feel some pressure from the transducer and some discomfort from a full bladder.
Sound waves will bounce off certain organs and tissue in your body. This creates "echoes." The echoes are reflected back to the transducer, which converts them to electronic signals. A computer then processes the signals into pictures for radiologist evaluation.
The exam will take approximately 45 minutes.

What Do I Do After My Exam?

You may resume your normal diet after your examination.
There are no dietary of physical restrictions following your ultrasound scan.
The images of your scan will be examined by a radiologist and the results will be sent to your referring physician who will review the results of the scan with you.
You can request copies of your images on a CD-ROM or your report, by calling (805) 692-6435.

What to know about the Transvaginal Pelvic Ultrasound process

After the uterus and ovaries are scanned through the full bladder from outside, you will be allowed to use the restroom to completely empty your bladder. You will then change into a gown and the technologist will complete the second part of the exam. A long transducer will be guided through the cervix to get visually closer and more detailed imaging of the uterus and ovaries.

Find out about MRIs for the pelvis.