Pelvic MRI

A pelvic MRI uses a magnetic field, not X-rays. It shows the pelvis in thin slices: the uterus and ovaries in women, the prostate and seminal vesicles in men, plus the bladder, rectum, blood vessels, nerves, lymph nodes, pelvic floor muscles and pelvic bones. No other test shows soft tissue this well. For pelvic organs, MRI beats both ultrasound and CT. At Oberig Clinic we scan the pelvis on a Siemens Magnetom Vida 3 Tesla scanner. Radiologists of the Diagnostic Department write the report.

What a pelvic MRI shows

The images show the shape and size of each organ, its inner structure and the layers of its wall. That matters most in cancer care. MRI shows how deep a tumor has grown into the wall of the uterus, bladder or rectum. It shows whether it has reached nearby organs and whether lymph nodes are enlarged. Doctors use this to set the stage and plan treatment. So the scan often comes before surgery or radiotherapy, and again afterwards to check the result.

The other big group is benign problems: fibroids, cysts, inflammation, abscesses, fistulas and birth defects. MRI also checks the pelvic floor, the pelvic bones and the sacral nerve plexus after an injury. The radiologist picks a protocol to match the question: female, male, rectum, pelvic floor or pelvic bones. Your referral should say clearly what bothers you.

What brings people in? A dragging pain low in the belly that ultrasound did not explain. Heavy or painful periods. Bleeding between periods. Frequent, painful or difficult peeing. Blood in the urine. Blood or mucus in the stool, or a feeling that the bowel never fully empties. Infertility, when the uterus and tubes need a closer look. Pain in the perineum after childbirth or an injury. None of these means something serious by itself. MRI helps rule out serious causes fast, or find them early.

Protocol	What it covers	Most common reasons
Female	uterus, cervix, ovaries, bladder	fibroids, endometriosis, cysts, cervical cancer
Male	prostate, seminal vesicles, bladder	raised PSA, tumors, inflammation
Rectum	bowel wall, anal canal, tissue around the rectum	rectal cancer, fistulas, abscess
Pelvic floor	perineal muscles and ligaments at rest and when straining	organ prolapse, incontinence after childbirth
Pelvic bones	bones, joints, sacral plexus	injury, sacral pain, metastases

Pelvic MRI for women

For women, a gynecologist usually orders the scan when ultrasound leaves questions open. MRI maps the number and position of fibroids before surgery. It tells a fibroid from adenomyosis (endometriosis inside the uterine muscle). It finds deep endometriosis behind the uterus and on the bowel wall. It also helps explain ovarian cysts and masses, shows how far cervical or uterine cancer has spread, and reveals defects of the uterus and vagina.

To assess the uterus and ovaries, doctors often suggest the first half of the cycle, roughly day 7 to 12. With bleeding or sudden pain, the day does not matter. Contrast is usually added for tumors, endometriosis and to see the blood supply of fibroids.

The bladder is part of the female protocol too. The scan shows its wall, any growths, stones and endometriosis on the bladder surface, which helps a lot when someone keeps getting cystitis or sees blood in the urine and the ultrasound and lab tests have not found the reason. Answers like that save months.

Pelvic MRI for men

For men, the main target is the prostate. With a raised PSA, the urologist sends you for a multiparametric MRI. The radiologist scores every suspicious area on the PI-RADS scale from 1 to 5. If the risk is low, you may skip a biopsy. If it is high, the doctor knows exactly where to take tissue from. The scan also shows the bladder, seminal vesicles, rectum, lymph nodes and old pelvic injuries.

A prostate scan usually needs contrast. Tumor areas take up the dye faster than healthy tissue. A plain scan is often enough for injuries, inflammation and follow-up of known changes. The scrotum and penis have their own protocol in the price list.

What contrast adds

A gadolinium-based dye goes into a vein during the scan. It builds up in tissue with a rich blood supply: tumors, inflamed areas, endometriosis. This lets the radiologist tell a cyst from a tumor, or scar tissue from a recurrence. They see where a mass ends and how it relates to blood vessels. The dye has no iodine. Allergic reactions are rare.

A plain scan works well for anatomy, organ size, cysts and birth defects. The radiologist decides on contrast based on your referral. Sometimes they add it mid-scan after spotting a suspicious area.

MRI or CT of the pelvis

For pelvic organs, MRI is almost always more accurate. It separates the layers of the uterine, rectal and bladder walls and the zones of the prostate. CT cannot. MRI also spares the ovaries and testicles from radiation. That matters for young patients and for repeat scans.

CT wins elsewhere. It takes seconds, so it is the right test for sudden pain, injury and bleeding. It shows ureter stones and bones well. In cancer care, an abdominal CT with the pelvis and chest looks for distant spread, and MRI gives the close-up of the tumor itself. The two tests do not compete. They work together.

How to prepare

Prep takes a few hours and makes the images sharper:

• do not eat for 4 hours before the scan. Water is fine,
• come with a moderately full bladder: do not fully empty it in the hour before the scan,
• bring your referral with the reason for the scan, and past ultrasound, CT or MRI results on disc,
• tell us about a pacemaker, metal clips, implants, braces or an IUD, and bring the device passport if you have one,
• before the scan, take off jewelry, your watch and removable dentures. Empty your pockets of keys, phone and cards.

A contrast scan needs one more step. If you are over 65, or have diabetes or kidney disease, get a blood creatinine test in advance so we can work out your eGFR. With an eGFR below 30 we do not give contrast. If you reacted to contrast before, see an anesthetist first. In pregnancy we scan only after a gynecologist consult and for a clear reason.

What happens during the scan

You lie on your back. A special coil goes on your belly to pick up the signal. The table slides into the scanner. The Magnetom Vida has a wider bore than standard scanners and takes patients up to 200 kg. It knocks loudly while it works. You get headphones. Your job is to lie still and breathe calmly. Some people even fall asleep, which is fine as long as they do not move.

A pelvic MRI takes 30 to 45 minutes, in rare cases up to an hour. If you need contrast, it goes in through an IV line near the end. You can talk to the technician the whole time and press a call button. No limits after the scan. Eat, drive and go back to work.

Understanding your report

The radiologist describes each organ: size, structure, outline, any spots and how they take up contrast. For the prostate and some tumors they use international scales, PI-RADS for the prostate and O-RADS for the ovaries. Your doctor sees the level of risk at a glance. "No pathological changes" means normal. Small cysts or nodules are often chance findings that need no treatment.

Your doctor explains the report and plans treatment. That may be a gynecologist, a urologist, a proctologist or an oncologist. If you had a scan before, bring the disc. Comparing scans over time often tells more than one picture.

Common questions

What can I eat before the scan?

Nothing in the last 4 hours. Before that, eat light food and skip things that cause bloating: beans, cabbage, fizzy drinks.

Do I need to clean out my bowel?

Not for a standard scan. If the rectum is the focus, the doctor may suggest a mini enema the day before when you book.

Is there special prep for a contrast scan?

Only a creatinine test if you are over 65 or have diabetes or kidney disease. Everything else is the same as for a plain scan.

Can I have the scan during my period?

Yes, if it is urgent. For a planned uterus scan, pick the day your gynecologist suggests.

Can I have it with an IUD?

Most modern IUDs are MRI-safe. Tell the technician about it. The radiologist will take it into account.

I am scared of tight spaces. What now?

The Vida bore is wider than usual. For a pelvic scan your head often stays near the opening. Tell us in advance. The technician will talk you through each step and stay in touch the whole time.

When will I get the results?

You get the report and disc within 24 hours, except on weekends and public holidays. Show the disc to any specialist, here or at another clinic.

Pelvic MRI prices

The price depends on the protocol. The female pelvis costs UAH 6,095 and the male pelvis UAH 5,970. Contrast is a separate item at UAH 2,745. So a contrast scan comes to UAH 8,840 for women and UAH 8,715 for men. All protocols below run on the 3 Tesla scanner, except pelvic bones.

Test (MRI)	Price
Female pelvis (uterus, ovaries, bladder), 3 T	UAH 6,095
Male pelvis (prostate, bladder), 3 T	UAH 5,970
Pelvis (rectum, anal canal), 3 T	UAH 5,995
Pelvic floor, 3 T	UAH 6,585
Scrotum, testicles, penis, 3 T	UAH 5,995
Pelvic bones, 1.5 T	UAH 4,795
Abdomen, retroperitoneum and pelvis, 3 T	UAH 8,950
Contrast enhancement	UAH 2,745

Prices are from the clinic price list as of 01.10.2026 and may change. Please check the current price with our contact center before your visit.

Why choose Oberig Clinic for MRI

• A 3 Tesla scanner. The Siemens Magnetom Vida has a wider bore and gives sharp pelvic images without breath-holds. The clinic is a Siemens reference center, and the software updates online.
• Experienced radiologists. Reports come from Taras Matsiievskyi, head of the Diagnostic Department, Iryna Mykytenko and Oleksandr Lysenko, all senior-grade doctors.
• Standards and speed. We report scans to American College of Radiology protocols. Results come within 24 hours.
• Treatment next door. Gynecologists, urologists, proctologists, oncologists and surgeons all work in one clinic.

Address: 3 Zoolohichna St, buildings "G" and "V", Kyiv. Book online at https://my.oberig.ua/ua/appointment/ or call +38 044 521 30 03.