What Is Women's Imaging and Which Examinations Does It Include?

Which Examinations Are Included in Women's Imaging?

Women's imaging is not one single type of scan. It is a broad term that can include several imaging examinations used at different stages of life and for different clinical questions. Your referring healthcare professional determines which examination is appropriate based on your individual circumstances.

What Is Women's Imaging?

Women's imaging describes diagnostic imaging used to assess areas of the body and clinical concerns that may be particularly relevant to women's health. It can include breast imaging, pelvic imaging, pregnancy-related ultrasound and other examinations where imaging is clinically appropriate.

Different imaging technologies provide different types of information. Mammography uses X-rays to create breast images, ultrasound uses sound waves, CT uses X-rays to produce cross-sectional images and DEXA uses low-dose X-rays to assess bone mineral density.

The term "women's imaging" does not mean that every woman needs every examination. The appropriate imaging examination depends on the reason for referral, symptoms, age, medical history and other individual circumstances.

What Happens Before a Women's Imaging Appointment?

Before your appointment, your healthcare professional will determine which imaging examination is appropriate for the clinical question being investigated.

1. You Receive a Referral

Your referral generally provides information about the reason for the examination and the area or clinical concern that needs to be assessed.

The information on the referral can help the imaging team understand what examination has been requested and what clinical information should be considered during the imaging process.

2. You Book the Examination

Once you have your referral, you can arrange an appointment with an appropriate imaging provider. The booking process and referral requirements can vary depending on the type of examination.

CareWell Diagnostix provides diagnostic imaging services for patients in Tarneit and surrounding Melbourne West communities, including women's imaging services such as 3D mammography and ultrasound.

3. You Receive Preparation Instructions

Preparation depends on the examination. Some ultrasound examinations may require you to have a full bladder, while other examinations may have different requirements.

Always follow the instructions provided for your specific appointment. Preparation advice for one type of imaging should not automatically be applied to another examination.

What Should You Bring to a Women's Imaging Appointment?

Having your referral and relevant health information available can help the imaging team complete the appointment appropriately.

If you are attending CareWell Diagnostix, you can review the clinic's diagnostic imaging booking guide for additional information about referrals, booking and preparation.

What Happens When You Arrive for Women's Imaging?

When you arrive at the imaging centre, the reception team will generally confirm your appointment, referral and relevant details.

Depending on the examination, the imaging professional may ask questions about your symptoms, medical history, previous imaging or other information relevant to the procedure.

Some women's imaging examinations may also involve questions about pregnancy, menstrual history or other circumstances when clinically relevant to the examination being performed.

What Happens During a Women's Imaging Examination?

The experience depends on the type of examination you have been referred for. Different imaging technologies use different equipment and techniques.

The exact procedure, positioning, preparation and duration depend on the examination requested and your individual circumstances.

What Is Mammography and How Is It Used?

Mammography is an X-ray examination designed to produce detailed images of breast tissue. It may be used for breast screening or to investigate a particular breast concern when clinically appropriate.

During mammography, the breast is positioned between two plates and briefly compressed while images are obtained. Compression helps the equipment produce the required images while limiting movement.

CareWell Diagnostix provides 3D mammography as part of its women's imaging services. The appropriate type of breast imaging depends on your clinical circumstances and referral.

You can learn more about CareWell's General X-Ray service before your appointment.

How Is Ultrasound Used in Women's Imaging?

Ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of structures within the body and does not use ionising radiation.

In women's imaging, ultrasound may be used to assess the breasts, pelvis or pregnancy-related structures, depending on the clinical question and referral.

During an ultrasound examination, a sonographer or other appropriately trained professional applies gel to the relevant area and moves a handheld probe across the skin to obtain images.

Some pelvic ultrasound examinations may involve specific preparation or a different scanning approach. Your imaging provider will explain what is required for your appointment.

CareWell provides a range of ultrasound examinations. Visit the CareWell Ultrasound service page for more information.

When Might CT Be Used in Women's Imaging?

CT uses X-rays to create detailed cross-sectional images of the body. It may be appropriate when a healthcare professional needs information about areas that cannot be adequately assessed with another imaging examination.

CT is not routinely required for every women's health concern. The decision to use CT depends on the clinical question, the body area being assessed and the individual circumstances of the patient.

Some CT examinations may involve contrast material. If contrast is required, the imaging team will provide information about relevant preparation and the procedure.

If you have been referred for CT imaging, you can review CareWell's CT Scan information for further details.

What Is DEXA and Why Is It Relevant to Women's Health?

DEXA, also called DXA, is a specialised imaging examination used to measure bone mineral density. It may be recommended when a healthcare professional wants to assess bone health or investigate the possibility of reduced bone density.

Bone health can become an important consideration at different stages of life. However, whether DEXA is appropriate depends on individual risk factors and clinical circumstances.

During a DEXA examination, you generally lie on a scanning table while the equipment measures bone density at selected areas of the body.

You can find more information about DEXA Bone Density Scans at CareWell Diagnostix .

Can Other Imaging Examinations Be Relevant to Women's Health?

Yes. Women's imaging is not limited to breast and pelvic examinations. Depending on your clinical circumstances, other diagnostic imaging may be appropriate to investigate symptoms or assess different areas of the body.

For example, liver elastography may be used to assess liver stiffness when clinically indicated. Other examinations such as general X-ray or CT may also be requested depending on the clinical question.

The appropriate examination is determined by your referring healthcare professional and the information required for your care.

Learn more about Liver Elastography at CareWell Diagnostix .

What Happens After a Women's Imaging Examination?

Once the examination is complete, the imaging professional checks that the required images have been obtained. In some circumstances, additional images may be required.

The images are then reviewed as part of the reporting process. A radiologist may interpret the images and prepare a report for your referring healthcare professional.

Your referring doctor or specialist can discuss the findings with you in the context of your symptoms, medical history and other relevant information.

How Long Does a Women's Imaging Appointment Take?

There is no single appointment length for women's imaging because different examinations involve different equipment, preparation and imaging techniques.

A mammogram may be relatively brief, while an ultrasound examination can take longer depending on the type of ultrasound and the areas being assessed.

Your total appointment time may include registration, preparation, changing if required, the examination itself and any necessary additional imaging.

If you need to plan your day around an appointment, ask the imaging provider how long you should allow for your specific examination.

Does Every Women's Imaging Appointment Follow the Same Process?

No. While many appointments involve check-in, preparation, imaging and reporting, the actual examination can vary considerably.

Questions to Ask Before a Women's Imaging Appointment

If you are unsure about your examination, consider asking:

• Which imaging examination have I been referred for?
• What is the purpose of the examination?
• Do I need to follow any preparation instructions?
• Should I bring previous mammograms, ultrasound reports or other imaging?
• Do I need to tell the imaging team about any possibility of pregnancy?
• How long should I allow for the appointment?
• What should I wear or bring to the appointment?
• When should I expect the report to be available to my referring healthcare professional?

If you are unsure about preparation or what information to provide, contact the imaging provider before attending rather than guessing.

Women's Imaging at CareWell Diagnostix

CareWell Diagnostix provides diagnostic imaging services for patients in Tarneit and Melbourne's West.

Depending on your referral and clinical needs, available imaging services include:

Women's Imaging in Tarneit and Melbourne West

If you have been referred for women's imaging and live in or around Tarneit, you may prefer an imaging provider that is convenient for your local area.

CareWell Diagnostix is located at 205 Bethany Road, Tarneit VIC 3029 and supports patients from Tarneit and surrounding Melbourne West communities, including Werribee, Hoppers Crossing, Point Cook, Truganina, Wyndham Vale, Manor Lakes and Williams Landing.

The most appropriate women's imaging examination depends on your clinical circumstances and referral. If you have already been referred, the CareWell team can provide information about the relevant appointment process and preparation requirements.

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