IUD Assessment

At QUFW, an Intrauterine Device (IUD) assessment is a routine part of a gynaecological ultrasound examination. It is performed to evaluate the position and condition of an IUD. An IUD is contraceptive device inserted in the endometrial cavity.

The ultrasound is performed transabdominally (with the ultrasound probe on the outside of the abdomen) and transvaginally (with the ultrasound probe inserted into the vagina).

The main objectives of an IUD assessment are as follows:

Position of the IUD: The assessment verifies that the IUD is in the correct position within the uterus. An incorrectly positioned IUD may malfunction, resulting in its reduced effectiveness as a contraceptive measure and/or discomfort or other complications.

Presence of the IUD: IUDs have been known to leave the body without the woman noticing. An IUD assessment ultrasound can confirm whether the IUD is still present in the uterus.

Complications: An IUD assessment ultrasound may be able to identify potential complications related to the IUD or its placement. This includes, but is not limited to, complications such as:

Embedding into the uterine wall
Perforation (where the IUD punctures the wall of the uterus)
Infection.

Strings: Although not always visible on ultrasound, if they are seen, this can provide reassurance that the IUD is in place.

IUD assessments are generally performed when a woman has symptoms that suggest a potential issue with her IUD (like pelvic pain or abnormal bleeding), or when a healthcare provider is unable to locate the strings of the IUD during a physical examination.

Preparation

It is recommended to empty your bladder 1 hour prior to the procedure and drink 2 glasses of water and then do not empty.

Appointment Enquiry

4D reconstructed image (VCI image) of correct placement of an IUCD within the endometrial cavity

3D reconstructed image of displaced IUCD low in the endometrial cavity, with perforation of the myometrium

about QUFW

QUFW provides a comprehensive range of obstetrics services for singleton and multiple pregnancies, including screening, tertiary opinion and invasive testing. In addition, our gynaecology ultrasound examinations are equally expansive from routine to gynaecology procedures.

Beyond your scan, we believe in comprehensive care. Our team takes the time to discuss findings with you, answering your questions, addressing your concerns, and providing you with support and guidance. We value the trust placed in us and are committed to delivering ultrasound and other women’s health services to our community and beyond. We are QUFW. We are here for you.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are your opening hours?

Our Brisbane practice is open Monday – Friday 8am to 5pm, Saturday 8am-12:30pm.
Our Ipswich, Southport and Tugun practices are open between Monday – Friday 8am to 5pm.

Where can I park my car?

Spring Hill: Metered street parking on Little Edward and Boundary Streets (Please be aware of the clearway zone at certain times of the day).

Parking underneath the Leichhardt Court building (orange section) with entry via Hope Street. Online bookings are recommended through Wilson parking.

Southport: 4 hour metered parking is available on Short Street. Additional car parking available in the Gold Coast City Council Carey Carpark and Australia Fair Shopping Centre

Ipswich: Onsite Parking is available at the back of the Medical Centre. Metered on street Ipswich City council parking is also available.

Tugun: Onsite car parking is available in the John Flynn Hospital campus.

How much will my scan cost?

The cost of the ultrasound and consultation will be discussed at the time of making an appointment. We request that accounts be settled on the day after the consultation. We have EFTPOS and accept MasterCard, VISA and American Express. We are a private medical ultrasound service and we do not routinely bulk bill as this would not allow us to provide the best comprehensive service for our patients.

How long will the appointment take?

Our scans can range from approximately 30-60 minutes depending on the type of scan, but please allow up to 90 minutes. Occasionally there are unexpected delays. If a problem is detected in a routine ultrasound, it will be discussed with you at the time of your appointment. In this situation, further examination and reassessment may extend over a longer period depending on the complexity of this problem and individual patient needs. This process may lead to delay of the assessment of other women’s appointments.

We apologise for these delays which are unpredictable and we make every effort to avoid significant patient inconvenience. We ask that you demonstrate kindness to our staff if there is an unforeseen delay. We recommend that you ring our rooms in advance to check that we are not significantly delayed so you can plan your day and parking arrangements.

Can I bring another person to my appointment?

At QUFW, we allow two support people to attend your appointment. One of these support people may be a child. Sometimes pregnancy ultrasounds can be a long time for your little one’s attention span, so we request that the other support person is a supervising adult who may be able to attend to your child during the scan if necessary. If you are a surrogate patient, we are happy to discuss this with you when you make your appointment.

See more FAQs

Do you have any questions?