However, monitoring of fetal development is not the only reason for a pelvic US exam. For females, ultrasound examinations can help determine the causes of pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, or other menstrual problems. US images can also help to identify and assess cysts and fibroid growths, as well as ovarian or uterine cancers. Other indications include evaluation of the uterine cavity looking for birth anomalies or scars. The saline outlines the lesion and allows for easy visualization and measurement.
Some physicians also use hysterosonography for patients with infertility.
Saline and air are injected into the uterus and the physician looks for air bubbles passing through the fallopian tubes, which would indicate patency of the fallopian tubes. For males, pelvic ultrasound is a valuable tool for evaluating the prostate, as well as for evaluating the tubes that carry semen . In both sexes, a pelvic ultrasound exam can help to identify tumors and other disorders in the urinary bladder. Because ultrasound provides real time images, it can also be used to guide procedures, such as needle biopsies , in which a needle is used to sample cells from an organ for laboratory testing. The pelvis shelters some of the largest blood vessels in the body, and ultrasound can be used to evaluate blood flow in those vessels.