Ultrasound imaging uses high-frequency sound waves to examine a developing fetus or to get a picture of a woman’s reproductive organs. At Platinum Women’s Health in Murrieta and Temecula, California, OB/GYNs James D. Neal, MD, and Florence Villa Quinata, MD, offer in-house ultrasound imaging. To take advantage of the expert ultrasound services, call one of the offices or book an appointment online.
An ultrasound is a noninvasive screening that helps Dr. Neal and Dr. Quinata see inside your body. Since it uses sound waves, not radiation, it’s perfectly safe for a growing baby and your internal organs.
During an ultrasound, the doctor runs the transducer wand over the area to be examined. In gynecologic cases, that’s usually over your belly or in the lower pelvic area. Transvaginal ultrasounds are performed by inserting a transducer vaginally.
When the sound waves transmitted through the transducer hit an object, such as a pelvic organ, they bounce back and a computer gathers them to create an image.
Ultrasounds are routinely ordered during pregnancy. A fetal ultrasound tells Dr. Neal and Dr. Quinata about your baby’s growth, gender, and potential health concerns.
Gynecologic ultrasounds have applications outside of pregnancy. The screening can evaluate the health of your:
Your symptoms and complaints determine which organs are examined through ultrasound.
The OB/GYNs at Platinum Women’s Health might order an ultrasound to help diagnose pelvic pain. You may also need a pelvic ultrasound if you have symptoms of:
Gynecologic ultrasounds can identify ovarian cysts and fibroids, but they cannot accurately see endometriosis. If the doctor feels a mass or other irregularity during a routine pelvic exam, an ultrasound may be ordered for further analysis.
At Platinum Women’s Health, the team performs both abdominal and transvaginal ultrasounds. You might need a transvaginal ultrasound if Dr. Neal and Dr. Quinata want a view of the lining of your uterus and ovaries as well as the muscular walls of the uterus.
To see the uterus most clearly, a sonohysterogram may be ordered. During this procedure, a small amount of salt solution is injected into your uterus. This type of ultrasound helps the doctors see the lining of your uterus most clearly.
For more information about obstetric and gynecologic ultrasounds, call Platinum Women’s Health or book an appointment online.
