What are the fastest ways to hold urine for a B-ultrasound?

Undergoing a physical examination, especially a B-ultrasound examination, is a common occurrence in our daily lives. During the examination, the patient is required to drink a significant amount of water to ensure that the bladder is fully distended. This allows the doctor to observe more specifically during the examination and thereby achieve more accurate results. Therefore, prior to the examination, it is recommended that the patient drinks water and holds their urine, preferably cold water, and drinks a large amount at once.

One of the fastest methods to hold urine for a B-ultrasound examination is to prepare 500 milliliters of plain water and drink it all at once within an hour before the examination. Drinking smaller amounts at a time can result in the loss of a significant amount of water. If the bladder is not fully distended, the doctor may not be able to observe clearly during the B-ultrasound. Although other methods can also help hold urine, this method is considered the most effective. Additionally, it is recommended to drink cold water rather than hot water, as hot water can cause the body to sweat and thereby lose water.

The uterus and ovaries are located deep within the pelvic cavity, and the small intestine often descends into this area. During abdominal B-ultrasound, the movement of the intestines and their contents can interfere with the imaging of the uterus and ovaries, making it difficult to obtain clear images. Therefore, it is necessary to drink a large amount of water before the examination to fill the bladder and push the intestines upward. If the bladder is not fully distended during the ultrasound examination, the gases within the bladder and uterus may overlap, leading to misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis. However, not all abdominal B-ultrasound examinations for gynecological conditions require holding urine. For example, after the 8th week of pregnancy, the uterus enlarges and rises into the abdominal cavity, naturally pushing the intestines upward. Additionally, there is amniotic fluid within the uterine cavity, making it unnecessary to hold urine for observing the fetus.

It is recommended to drink approximately 6 to 8 glasses of water half an hour to an hour before the examination. Generally, it is best to hold urine until there is a sensation of needing to urinate. Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to hold urine to the extreme limit, as an overly distended bladder can compress the pelvic organs, causing them to shift and deform. This can obscure subtle lesions such as small uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts. Additionally, pregnancy markers (such as the gestational sac and embryo) may become distorted and unclear due to compression. Therefore, both excessive and insufficient urine retention can lead to diagnostic difficulties and errors.