Concierge gynae imaging · London
Pelvic ultrasound examination, what to expect on the day — preparation, transabdominal + transvaginal views.
A practical patient guide to the pelvic ultrasound examination — how to prepare (full bladder for transabdominal, empty for transvaginal), what happens on the day, and how results are shared.
Why patients choose us
- 01
The right hands
We route you to a consultant sonographer or gynae radiologist — the person who scans you and reports the images is the one who decides the answer.
- 02
Often answers same-day
Findings can frequently be discussed immediately, with a written report from the reporting consultant to follow.
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Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Key facts
The pelvic ultrasound examination, in six lines.
Everything the sonographer needs from you — and everything you can expect back — in one look.
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Definition
Pelvic ultrasound examination
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Probes
Transabdominal + transvaginal
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TA preparation
Full bladder for transabdominal view
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TV preparation
Empty bladder for transvaginal
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Radiation
Radiation-free
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Reported by
Consultant sonographer / radiologist
Indicative pricing
What a private pelvic ultrasound costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A standard pelvic ultrasound (TA + TV) in our network: £250–£450, with findings often the same day.
| Scan type | Indicative range | Typical duration | Report turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard pelvic ultrasound (TA + TV) | £250–£450 | 25 min | Same-day |
| Gynae ultrasound with senior sonographer | £350–£600 | 35 min | Same-day |
| US + consultant gynaecology opinion | £550–£1,000 | 60 min | Same visit |
| Follicle tracking ultrasound (per scan) | £180–£320 | 20 min | Same-day |
| Full gynae work-up (US + bloods + swabs) | £600–£1,200 | Half-day | Same-week |
| Urgent same-week pelvic US | £400–£800 | Half-day | Same-week |
Prices vary by clinic, whether a same-visit consultant gynaecology opinion is included, and whether the scan is folded into a broader work-up. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
On the day
From preparation to report — what happens, in order.
One clinician from the first message to the report — often within the same working day.
Phase 1 · Before your scan
Preparation, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
~25 minutes at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
Consultation and referral
A short, confidential form. Symptoms, cycle history, any prior imaging, referral or insurer if you have them.
- 02
Before
Drink 1L water 1 hour before if TA
A full bladder pushes bowel out of the way and gives a clear transabdominal window onto the uterus and ovaries.
- 03
On the day
Empty bladder before TV
The transvaginal probe is then introduced with an empty bladder — pelvic organs come into close, high-resolution view.
- 04
On the day
Warm gel applied
Warm contact gel on the lower abdomen for the transabdominal sweep — comfortable from the first touch.
- 05
On the day
Sweep of pelvic organs
Uterus, endometrium, ovaries, adnexa and pouch of Douglas systematically imaged in longitudinal and transverse planes.
- 06
On the day
Doppler assessment
Colour and spectral Doppler characterise ovarian and endometrial blood flow, and any focal lesion vascularity.
- 07
After
Written report same day
A structured written report the same day, with onward gynaecology or gynae-oncology pathway if we find something that needs it.
Typical end-to-end: 1–3 days. Urgent cases: same day.
What it shows
What a pelvic ultrasound examination looks for.
Pelvic ultrasound answers a specific set of questions — uterine and endometrial anatomy, ovarian and adnexal appearance, and any focal pelvic pathology.
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Uterine fibroids
Number, size, location and impact on the endometrial cavity of leiomyomas.
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Endometrial polyps
Focal endometrial thickening or polypoid lesions, often better seen on transvaginal views.
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Ovarian cysts
Simple, haemorrhagic, dermoid or endometriotic cysts — characterised by IOTA descriptors.
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Adnexal masses
Solid, cystic or mixed lesions of the ovary, tube or paraovarian tissue.
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Endometriosis signs
Endometriomas, deep infiltrating nodules and reduced ovarian mobility on dynamic scanning.
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Free fluid
Physiological or pathological pelvic fluid in the pouch of Douglas.
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Bladder wall assessment
Bladder wall thickness, focal lesions and post-void residual volume.
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Red flag: complex ovarian mass with ascites — urgent gynae-oncology
A complex adnexal mass with ascites is an urgent gynae-oncology pathway, not a private outpatient wait.
Next steps
What can follow the scan.
The scan is the beginning of a plan, not the end of one. Depending on the finding, the sensible next step is usually one of the following.
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Reassurance for benign findings
Simple cysts and small fibroids often need nothing beyond explanation and interval reassurance.
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MRI pelvis for characterisation
For indeterminate adnexal masses, fibroid mapping or deep endometriosis staging.
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Hysteroscopy for polyps
Direct visualisation and biopsy or resection of endometrial polyps.
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Gynaecology referral
Consultant gynaecology opinion for symptomatic fibroids, cysts or bleeding.
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Endometrial biopsy
Pipelle or hysteroscopic biopsy for thick endometrium or postmenopausal bleeding.
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Fertility investigation
Antral follicle count, tubal patency and cycle-timed scans as part of a fertility work-up.
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Multi-disciplinary team review
Complex or suspicious findings are routed to a gynae-oncology MDT for planning.
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Structured follow-up
Interval scans at defined windows for cysts, fibroids or post-treatment surveillance.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of clinics, we picked them.
Partners across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinic in our network.
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Consultant sonographers or gynae radiologists with dedicated pelvic ultrasound practice
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IOTA-standardised descriptors for adnexal masses
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Same-day written report, with images available for onward review
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Onward gynaecology or gynae-oncology pathway if significant disease is found
Safety and eligibility
One of the safest tests in medicine.
Pelvic ultrasound is exceptionally safe — the practical points are preparation, the transvaginal probe, and where the scan’s limits are.
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Painless, radiation-free
Ultrasound uses sound waves — no needles, no radiation, no dye.
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Warm gel used
The contact gel for the transabdominal sweep is warmed, so the scan is comfortable from the first touch.
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Transvaginal probe explained first
A slim, disposable-sheathed probe. You choose to proceed — a chaperone is always offered.
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Full bladder for TA, empty for TV
Drink 1 litre of water an hour before if we ask for a transabdominal scan; empty the bladder before the transvaginal view.
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Safe in pregnancy
Pelvic ultrasound is the standard imaging test at any stage of pregnancy.
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Menstruation is not a barrier
Scans can be performed during a period; timing in the cycle is sometimes chosen for a specific question.
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A normal scan is not a full clear
A normal ultrasound doesn’t exclude every diagnosis — MRI or hysteroscopy may still be needed.
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MRI sometimes follows on
For deep endometriosis, complex fibroids or indeterminate adnexal masses, MRI is the next step.
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Bring prior imaging and cycle dates
Comparison against previous scans and knowing where you are in your cycle materially sharpens the report.
Red flags
Findings that change the pathway.
If any of the following appear on the scan or in your history, the sensible next step is an urgent specialist pathway — not a routine outpatient wait.
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Complex ovarian mass
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Ascites
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Postmenopausal bleeding + thick endometrium
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Suspected sarcoma
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Rapidly growing fibroid
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Adnexal torsion features
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Pelvic infection with abscess
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Ectopic pregnancy
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Molar pregnancy
Reading your report
A pelvic ultrasound report can look intimidating. It isn’t.
Whatever the finding, the report keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
The report is written for your doctor, not for you — and that’s normal.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and cycle context
Your details, the reason for the scan, cycle day and the clinical question that shapes interpretation.
- 02 Technique
Probes and views obtained
Which probes were used, the transabdominal and transvaginal views obtained, and any Doppler interrogation.
- 03 Findings
Uterus, endometrium, ovaries, adnexa
Systematic vessel-by-organ description: uterine size and morphology, endometrial thickness, ovarian volumes and any focal lesion.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
The bottom line — normal, benign findings, or a specific concern — and the concrete next step.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about the pelvic ultrasound examination.
Quick answers on preparation, the transvaginal probe, cost, referrals and when a follow-up MRI or hysteroscopy come in.
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What does a pelvic ultrasound examination show?
The uterus, endometrial lining, ovaries, adnexa, bladder and pouch of Douglas. It characterises fibroids, endometrial thickening and polyps, ovarian and adnexal cysts and masses, signs of endometriosis, and free pelvic fluid.
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How should I prepare?
For the transabdominal view we ask you to drink one litre of water an hour before, so the bladder is comfortably full. You then empty the bladder before the transvaginal view, which needs an empty bladder for the best resolution.
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Does the transvaginal probe hurt?
It shouldn’t. The probe is slimmer than a speculum, is covered in a disposable sheath and lubricated. You choose to proceed and can stop the examination at any time. A chaperone is always offered.
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How much does a private pelvic ultrasound cost in London?
A standard pelvic ultrasound (transabdominal plus transvaginal) is typically £250–£450 in our network; adding a same-visit consultant gynaecology opinion raises the price. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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Do I need a referral?
Most clinics accept self-referral for a pelvic ultrasound. We can arrange a fast-track private GP if a formal referral is needed for insurance or onward pathway.
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How quickly will I get results?
Findings are usually discussed immediately after the scan, with a formal written report from the reporting consultant the same day.
Sources
Clinically reviewed guidance.
- NICE. Suspected cancer: recognition and referral (NG12).
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Green-top guidelines.
- British Medical Ultrasound Society. Professional guidelines.
- IOTA Group. Ovarian mass classification (Simple Rules, ADNEX).
Reviewed by Pulse Atlas Editorial Board () · Published 2026-07-30 · Next review 2027-07-30 · Reading time ~6 min.
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In practice, in London
Getting pelvic ultrasound examination sorted in London, without the guesswork
With pelvic ultrasound examination, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it — not whether the scan is available. The wait for pelvic ultrasound examination on the NHS depends heavily on where you live and how urgently the referral is graded. Central and West London private clinics can normally book within a week, with imaging or a procedure slot to follow shortly after. It’s worth being honest about the reason for going private: usually it’s time, not a fundamentally different test.
A private pelvic ultrasound examination pathway in London usually looks like this: an initial consultation, any diagnostics booked at a nearby facility (most within Zone 1 or 2), and a written report sent to you and your GP within a few days. The consultants we work with hold NHS posts alongside their private lists, which keeps the standards consistent across both settings. For pelvic ultrasound examination specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.
We’re careful about what a private pathway for pelvic ultrasound examination can and can’t promise. It can compress a wait, put you in front of a subspecialist quickly, and get a proper report in your hands within a week. It can’t rewrite what the imaging or the bloods say. Setting that expectation up front tends to make the whole experience less stressful.