Ultrasound Testing: How It Benefits Your Health
Though most women associate an ultrasound with pregnancy, that’s not the only reason you may benefit from the noninvasive imaging test. Ultrasound testing is an invaluable tool that provides a lot of information about your gynecological health.
At Eve Medical of Miami, our women’s health specialists are devoted to providing comprehensive care to meet all your health and wellness needs. We offer ultrasound testing to investigate, diagnose, and assist in performing various procedures. We want you to know more about the many uses of the imaging tool and how it benefits you.
Imaging with ultrasound
Though we learn a lot about your health during a physical and pelvic exam, it may not provide all the answers we need to provide a definitive diagnosis. Sometimes we need to see what’s going on inside your body to better understand the cause of your symptoms.
Though there are many diagnostic imaging tools, including X-rays and MRIs, the ultrasound is one of the safest and least invasive. It uses sound-wave technology to generate real-time moving images of your internal organs.
During an ultrasound, we use a special device called a transducer that emits sound waves into your body. The sound waves then bounce off your internal organs and return to the transducer, which sends the information to a computer that translates it into images we view on a computer monitor.
Pelvic vs. transvaginal ultrasound
When it comes to evaluating your reproductive organs, we may perform one or both of these types of ultrasound: pelvic or transvaginal.
Pelvic ultrasound
During a pelvic ultrasound, the transducer is placed on your abdomen and moved around to view your uterus and ovaries. This is also the type of ultrasound that’s used during pregnancy to monitor a baby’s development.
Transvaginal ultrasound
During a transvaginal ultrasound, a special wand-shaped transducer is inserted into your vagina to generate images of your reproductive organs.
During your evaluation, we determine the type of ultrasound best suited for you. In some cases, we may perform both of them to get the best images.
Ultrasound for investigating and diagnosing
We use ultrasounds to better understand the cause of your gynecology symptoms or to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.
Some of the most common reasons we use ultrasound as a diagnostic tool include:
- Locating fibroids or ovarian cysts
- Investigating the cause of your abdominal pain
- Confirming pregnancy
- Locating your intrauterine device (IUD)
- Finding the underlying cause of your infertility
The information gathered during your ultrasound also allows us to evaluate your reproductive organs, including your uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes.
Ultrasound-guided imagery for procedures
We also use ultrasound technology to assist with gynecological procedures. This includes monitoring during a surgical abortion.
We also use ultrasound-guided imagery to assist in the dilation and curettage (D&C) procedure when removing any remaining tissue after an incomplete miscarriage or incomplete abortion.
Ultrasound imaging provides us with the answers so you get the right diagnosis and the best possible care. To schedule an appointment with one of our compassionate women’s health experts, contact us by calling our office in Miami, Florida, or using the website booking tool.