Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis 

The following information is a general guide to preparing for a Deep Infiltrating Endometriosis (DIE) ultrasound assessment at BWU with bowel preparation.

If your ultrasound is not for DIE, or does not require bowel preparation, please refer to the General Pelvic Ultrasound Preparation page. If you are unsure please speak to our reception staff at time of booking.

If the preparation required for your appointment varies from the below, our reception staff will inform you and advise new instructions at the time of booking.

U/S with Bowel Preparation

Ultrasound with bowel preparation allows for improved visualisation and assessment of the pelvic region without the presence of bowel gas and fecal matter obscuring the image.The use of bowel preparation prior to your ultrasound results in the elimination of the lower bowel so that clearer and more detailed images may be obtained and results in less pain/pressure when assessing these areas.

Bowel Preparation Instructions

From your local pharmacy of choice, you will need to purchase:

  • Ducolax SP drops; and

  • Fleet (ready to use) Enema 133ml

Both of these products are available over the counter at a cost of ~$15-20; and are safe to be conducted in the comfort of your own home.

  1. Take 10 drops of Ducolax SP the night before your ultrasound. This will typically produce a “soft” bowel action either that night or the following morning.

  2. Use the Fleet Enema the morning of, or at least 90 minutes prior to, your ultrasound. This typically produces a rapid response (~5 minutes) of emptying the recto sigmoid colon.

You may eat and drink as usual the evening prior and morning of your ultrasound.

Upon arrival at our clinic, our admin team will proceed to provide instructions as to the next steps. As the gold standard of ultrasound assessment for DIE is with the use of an internal (transvaginal) examination please read through the following information about this examination type. 

Transvaginal U/S

A transvaginal ultrasound is considered the gold standard for imaging the female pelvic organs, in particular in the assessment of endometriosis to look for nodules that may affect the uterus, ovaries, recto-sigmoid colon, bladder and surrounding structures. Unlike an abdominal ultrasound, this procedure involves inserting a small, wand-like probe (called a transducer) into the vagina. The probe uses sound waves to create detailed images of the inside of your pelvis. It might feel a little uncomfortable, but it shouldn’t be painful.

As the patient, it is your right to consent or decline an internal ultrasound at any stage. Please speak to one of our friendly team for more information or to discuss any concerns you may have.

Preparing for a T/V Scan

Upon arrival at our clinic, our admin staff will assess your referral to ensure you do not require a bladder and kidney ultrasound (see +renal information below). They will then ask if you are agreeable to having an internal ultrasound; if yes, you will then be asked to empty your bladder.

+ renal / KUB ultrasound

In some instances, your referring physician may request a renal (KUB) ultrasound to look at your bladder, ureters and kidneys alongside your pelvic organs. In these cases, you will be asked not to empty your bladder until instructed by your sonographer. 

If you require further instruction or have any questions regarding the above, please discuss with our admin team.