Diagnostic Tests

Your doctor may do a routine pelvic exam. Most significant fibroids are discovered during a routine pelvic exam. If symptoms such as heavy bleeding are present, then further evaluation with imaging tests may be needed to check for fibroids.

These tests may include:

  • Transvaginal ultrasound—A smooth probe inserted into the vagina produces images of pelvic structures using high frequency sound waves.
  • CT Scan —This is a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of structures inside the body.
  • MRI scan —This test uses magnetic waves to make pictures of structures inside the body.
  • Hysteroscopy —A thin, lighted telescope-like tube is inserted through the vagina to the cavity of the uterus.
  • Laparoscopy —In this procedure, a thin tubelike instrument called a laparoscope is inserted through a small incision near the navel to view inside the abdomen.
  • Hysterosalpingography —In this x-ray procedure, a dye is injected into the uterus and fallopian tubes to outline any irregularities of the uterine wall and fallopian tube passages.
REFERENCES:

Uterine fibroids fact sheet. Women's Health—US Department of Health and Human Services website. Available at: https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/uterine-fibroids. Updated February 6, 2017. Accessed December 7, 2017.

Uterine leiomyoma. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T115612/Uterine-leiomyoma. Updated April 15, 2016. Accessed December 7, 2017.

Last reviewed November 2018 by Beverly Siegal, MD, FACOG