What is Ultrasound?

The female pelvic floor is a complex structure of closely connected organs, muscles, ligaments, and nerves. As a result, pelvic floor disorders (PFDs) such as incontinence or prolapse can be caused by many different factors, ranging from pregnancy or birth-related trauma to menopause, weight gain or the normal effects of aging.

One of the best ways to determine the location, explanation, and possible treatment for PFD is ultrasound. An ultrasound, also known as a sonogram, uses high-frequency sound waves to look at the organs and structures inside the body (during pregnancy ultrasound is used to examine the fetus). During a pelvic ultrasound test, the technician moves a device called a transducer over your lower body or you insert a special wand-shaped transducer vaginally or anally. The transducer sends out sound waves, which bounce off the organs or tissues of the pelvic region, then captures the waves that bounce back and turns them into images. The unique signals created by differences in the composition of the pelvic structures allow the computer to convert the signals into a visual representation as images of the pelvic region on a screen.

Unlike x-rays, ultrasound does not involve exposure to radiation. In addition, most ultrasound tests are not painful (depending on the problem), although the transducer can cause feelings of pressure on the pelvic region.

Why Use Ultrasound?

There are many benefits to an ultrasound test, including:

Provides a quick understanding of how the muscles and organs of the pelvic floor region are structured and functioning
Generates a visual picture of the health and location of all organs in the pelvic region
Detects rectal problems such as anal sphincter tears, rectocle and fistulas
Detects issues such as prolapse, cystocele and enterocele
Can be used post surgery to gather more in-depth data or to ensure that devices such as tension-free vaginal tape or vaginal slings are positioned and functioning properly.