Your Guide to a Private Pelvic Ultrasound: What Really Happens

A private pelvic ultrasound uses sound waves to check your womb, ovaries, and pelvic area. It's painless, radiation-free, and usually over within half an hour. Your GP usually refers you for one to assess symptoms such as heavy periods or pelvic pain. 

Has your GP mentioned a pelvic ultrasound and your stomach dropped a little? That's a completely normal reaction. Many women feel some version of anxiousness before their first one. 

The good news is it's quick, and it gives your doctor real answers.

If a scan comes up during one of our consultations, it's never a sign that something's automatically wrong. It means we want a clearer, fuller picture before deciding what comes next. 

Sometimes it’ll be as part of the same women's health screening that already covers your blood work and other checks. And because the scan happens here, with us, the same doctor who already knows your history reads the results. 

Here's what a private pelvic ultrasound involves, from why we might suggest one to what the results really mean for you. 

What a Pelvic Ultrasound Is For, and Why It Gets Suggested

A pelvic ultrasound uses sound waves to build a picture of your womb, ovaries, and surrounding pelvic structures. It's not a screening test everyone gets by default; it's suggested when we want a closer look at something specific.

Common reasons include ongoing period problems, such as unusually heavy bleeding, pain, or cycles that have changed without explanation. It's also common during perimenopause changes, particularly if you're on HRT and we want reassurance about the lining of your womb. Other reasons range from suspected fibroids or cysts to unexplained pelvic pain or fertility investigations.

Whatever the reason, the scan itself is the same tool. What changes is what we're specifically looking for.

Transvaginal or Transabdominal? How It's Decided

There are two ways a pelvic ultrasound is done, and which one you need depends on what we're looking for.

A transabdominal scan is done through your tummy, with the probe moved over gel on your skin. It needs a full bladder, since that lifts your womb into a clearer view, so you'll be asked to drink water beforehand and hold off using the loo until after.

A transvaginal scan uses a slim, covered probe placed just inside the vagina, giving a much closer, more detailed view of your womb, endometrium, and ovaries. For this one, your bladder needs to be empty, the opposite of the abdominal scan. 

It may feel a little unusual, but it shouldn't hurt, and you can ask to stop at any point if you're uncomfortable. A chaperone is always in the room, and the scan can go ahead even if you're on your period.

Often, you'll have both in the same appointment. The abdominal scan first, then a transvaginal one if a closer look is needed.

Your Private Pelvic Ultrasound: Step by Step

The appointment itself is straightforward, and most women say it's far less daunting than they expected.

You'll be asked to remove clothing from your lower abdomen and lie on the examination couch. The gel used can feel a little cold and might dampen your clothes, though it won't stain them. So older, comfortable clothing, or the gown they'll offer you, works best. 

The room lights are often dimmed so the screen is easier to see, and the sonographer may go quiet while they concentrate on the images rather than chat. That's completely normal and not a sign anything's wrong.

If a transvaginal scan is needed, you'll be given privacy to undress from the waist down. A slim probe with a protective cover is used, no bigger than a tampon. The whole appointment typically takes between 10 and 30 minutes, depending on what's being checked. 

There's no radiation involved and no known side effects, whichever type you have.

Throughout the procedure, feel free to ask questions. The person doing your scan will explain what they can as they go; however, you’ll receive a full interpretation at your follow-up consult.

What Does a Private Pelvic Scan Cost?

A gynaecological ultrasound scan with us is priced at £225. It includes the initial consultation fee, and it’s not an estimate that changes once you're in the room.

Compare that to booking through a dedicated imaging provider, where the scan often comes with its own separate invoice, on top of whatever you've already paid elsewhere to be referred for it in the first place. 

At Women’s Health Clinic in London, your scan and consultation are done in the same clinic and read by the same doctor, who explains what it means once it's done. You’re not handed off to a different provider partway through.

Importantly, prices on any fee table can move. But when you confirm your booking, we’ll give you the precise total of everything your consultation will include. Nothing is done without your approval. 

Your Results, and What Happens Next

Your results don't come back on the day. The images are reviewed carefully first; results are typically back with your referring doctor 48-72h. That's the point where having one doctor throughout makes the most significant difference. 

Instead of a report landing in your inbox with no context, we: 

• Talk you through what it means

• Flag anything that needs a closer look

• Explain what happens next

• Answer whatever questions come up for you

You're never left to interpret a lab report on your own.

Scans, Answers, and Comfort

A pelvic ultrasound only helps if someone clearly explains what it shows you afterwards. We refer you for the right scan, then walk through every result with you in person.

Book Your Women’s Health Consultation

Private Pelvic Ultrasound Questions We Often Hear 

Can I Have a Scan While I'm on My Period?

Yes. A transvaginal scan can be done during your period, so you don't need to rearrange your appointment around your cycle.

Do I Need to Remove Jewellery Before My Scan?

You'll be asked to remove any jewellery from your abdomen, such as belly piercings, before the scan begins. Everything else, you can keep on.

Can I Drive Myself Home Afterwards?

Yes. There's no sedation involved, so you're free to drive, work, or carry on with your day straight after.

What if My Scan Shows Something That Needs a Closer Look?

Dr Jocelyne Tedajo Tsambou will explain everything and coordinate whatever comes next, whether that's a specialist referral or a repeat scan. You won't be left to interpret a report alone.

Will I Need More Than One Scan?

Sometimes. If your first scan is inconclusive, or we want to track a change over a few cycles, a follow-up might be suggested. It's not the norm, but it's not unusual either.

Get Clarity, Not Just a Result

A scan is only part of your health care; understanding what it means is where the real support begins. You deserve more than just a report. That’s why we sit down with you to walk through every result in person or online, ensuring you feel informed and reassured.

Schedule Your Pelvic Ultrasound Consultation

Disclaimer: We share these insights to help educate and empower you on your health journey. However, this information is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Because your body is unique, we encourage you to book a consultation with us so we can create a personalised plan tailored perfectly to your needs.