It can be common for couples to take up to a year to conceive naturally, however sometimes there may be a problem and specialised fertility treatment is required. A general pelvic ultrasound scan is a good baseline check to investigate the uterus, ovaries and surrounding areas to establish if there is an underlying gynaecological problem which may hinder your chances of conceiving naturally or in your fertility treatment pathway.
If you are undergoing IVF especially outside of the UK you may require regular scans to monitor your IVF cycle, particularly for either follicle tracking or to measure the endometrial thickness.
What do we check for on the general pelvic ultrasound scan?
The scan is best performed trans-vaginal as it gives much clearer images and thus a full bladder is not required.
The scan will evaluate the size, shape and condition of the:
• Uterus / womb
• Uterine lining of the womb / endometrium thickness
• both ovaries
• pelvic area / adnexa
Common problems which can show on the general pelvic ultrasound scan are:
• fibroids
• polyps
• ovarian cysts
• polycystic ovaries
Common reasons for referral are:
• General and area specific pain and tenderness
• Swelling and bloating
• Irregular periods
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Post-menopausal bleeding
• Pre-IVF cycles
• Pre-ovulation assessment
