Private Abdomen & Pelvic Ultrasound

Put simply, abdomen and pelvic ultrasound scans are ultrasounds that examine the abdomen and pelvic regions.

Ultrasounds are a type of medical imaging technology. Unlike other technologies, ultrasound scans don’t use radiation to capture images of the inside of your body. Instead, they use harmless sound waves. Ultrasounds are safe, non-invasive, and pain-free.

An abdomen and pelvic scan is used to investigate various structures within the body, including the following:

• Bladder

• Gallbladder

• Kidneys

• Liver

• Nearby pelvic structures

• Ovaries

• Pancreas

• Spleen

• Uterus

• Uterus lining (endometrium)

You might need to undergo an abdomen and pelvic ultrasound for many reasons. These include:

• Abdomen pain

• Abnormal blood test results

• Fibroids or a history of fibroids

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)

• Issues with your bladder, such as urinary tract infections or blood in your urine

• Ovarian cysts

• Pain in the kidney area

• Pelvic pain

• Polyps

• Suspected abnormal liver function

• Tumour and cancer identification and testing

Your doctor might also request an ultrasound to follow up on previous findings, such as kidney stones, gallstones, or cysts.

Regardless of your experience and concerns, your health is our top priority. Ultrasounds are pain-free, quick, and non-invasive. So, if you have pain or discomfort in your abdomen or pelvic region, please do not hesitate to get in touch and schedule an appointment. Our specialist team can answer your questions and give you peace of mind.

While ultrasounds are pain-free, risk-free, and non-invasive, there are a couple of things you need to do before your examination to ensure your results are accurate:

• Do not eat food for six hours before your appointment.

• Drink two pints of clear liquid one hour before your appointment. Ideally, this would be water, not milk or fizzy drinks.

Take any regular medication at the usual time. If you have diabetes, let us know so we can cater to your specific needs.

Our friendly team will walk you through these instructions in more detail. Please feel free to ask any questions; we’d happily address your concerns.

You may feel a little nervous if you have never had an abdomen and pelvic scan before. The good news is you shouldn’t experience any pain or discomfort during the short procedure.

There are two stages to this scan: the transabdominal ultrasound and the transvaginal ultrasound.

During a transabdominal ultrasound, you will lie on your back on the exam table. One of our qualified specialists will ask you to remove clothing covering the examination area. Then, they will apply a cool gel to the area to eliminate air pockets that could affect the quality of the images.

Your specialists will place a transducer on the area, which sends sound waves into your body. Then, they will move it side to side to capture the required images. You shouldn’t experience any discomfort. However, let your specialist know if an area is tender or painful.

When the examination is complete, your specialist will wipe away the clear gel and give you privacy to redress if needed.

Before a transvaginal ultrasound, you will empty your bladder. Then, back in the examination room, you will be asked to undress from the waist down. The transducer will be covered with a protective barrier, lubricated, and inserted into your vagina. It’s no bigger than a tampon and smaller than a speculum typically used during a Pap test, so it shouldn’t hurt.

Your specialist will take images from several angles as needed. When the imaging is complete, you will be given privacy to redress.

Inform your specialist if you feel uncomfortable at any point during your exam. We are here to make your experience as positive and comfortable as possible.

A pelvic ultrasound test is done for the following reasons:

• Find the cause of urinary problems.

• Find out what's causing pelvic pain.

• Look for causes of vaginal bleeding and menstrual problems.

• Check for growths or masses like ovarian cysts or uterine fibroids.

• Look for the correct placement of an intrauterine device (IUD).

These are the most common reasons, but there may be other reasons for your doctor to recommend a pelvic ultrasound.

Pelvic ultrasounds have no known risks. Unlike other medical imaging technologies, ultrasound doesn't use radiation. It uses harmless sound waves to capture images of the organs inside your body.

Pelvic ultrasounds are also pain-free. You shouldn’t experience any pain during a transabdominal ultrasound. A little discomfort is normal when the transducer is inserted during a transvaginal ultrasound. However, this discomfort should subside quickly.

If you feel pain at any point during your examination, let us know. The dedicated team behind Harley Street Ultrasound is here to make you feel comfortable and relaxed. If there is something we can do to help, please don’t hesitate to ask.

For a transabdominal ultrasound

You will be asked to remove any clothing, jewellery, or other objects that may interfere with the scan.

If asked to remove clothing, you will be given a gown to wear.

You will lie on your back on an examination table. A gel-like substance will be applied to your abdomen.

The transducer will be pressed against the skin and moved around over the area being studied.

If blood flow is being assessed, you may hear a “whoosh, whoosh” sound when the Doppler probe is used.

Images of structures will be displayed on the computer screen. Images will be recorded on various media for the health care record.

Once the procedure has been completed, the gel will be removed.

You may empty your bladder when the procedure is completed.

For a transvaginal ultrasound

You will be asked to remove any clothing, jewellery, or other objects that may interfere with the scan.

If asked to remove clothing, you will be given a gown to wear.

You will lie on an examination table, with your feet and legs supported as for a pelvic examination.

A long, thin transvaginal transducer will be covered with a plastic or latex sheath and lubricated. The tip of the transducer will be inserted into your vagina. This may be slightly uncomfortable.

The transducer will be gently turned and angled to bring the areas for study into focus. You may feel mild pressure as the transducer is moved.

If blood flow is being assessed, you may hear a “whooshing” sound when the Doppler probe is used.

Images of organs and structures will be displayed on the computer screen. Images may be recorded on various media for the health care record.

Once the procedure has been completed, the transducer will be removed.

In most cases, pelvic ultrasounds are pain-free. If you are undergoing a transabdominal ultrasound, you will likely feel at ease throughout.

However, you will need a full bladder, which can be uncomfortable for some. The good news is ultrasounds don’t take very long.

If you are scheduled for a transvaginal ultrasound, you may feel a small amount of discomfort as your consultant inserts the transducer into your vagina.

The discomfort should be minor and short-lived. Your specialist may ask you to put your legs in stirrups – if you find this pose too difficult, speak out. There are always alternatives, and we are happy to make adjustments.

If you are scheduled for a transabdominal ultrasound, you will need to drink about four large glasses of water in the hour before your test. This fills your bladder, which makes your organs show more clearly in the ultrasound images.

Transvaginal ultrasounds are best performed with an empty bladder. You will have an opportunity to use the bathroom before your exam.

No. Pelvic ultrasounds don’t demand any special after-care or downtime. You can return to your normal diet and regular activities immediately following your appointment unless your doctor advises otherwise.

There is no particular type of care required after a female health check ultrasound. You may resume your regular diet and daily activities unless your doctor advises you differently.

There are no confirmed adverse biological effects on patients or instrument operators caused by exposures to ultrasound at the intensity levels used in diagnostic ultrasound.

But depending on your particular results, the doctor may give you additional or alternative instructions after the procedure.

You shouldn’t have to wait around for important answers about your health. That’s why, at Harley Street Ultrasound, we are dedicated to fast results. You get secure access to your pelvic ultrasound images on the same day as your appointment.

Easier yet, you can view and share these images from any internet-connected device – including your smartphone.

Many of our patients are concerned that if they come to us for an ultrasound, they won’t be able to go back to public health. That simply is not the case.

Our goal is to give you answers as quickly as possible and get you on the right treatment path fast – no strings attached.

When you come to us, you will be seen by a qualified specialist who can determine if your situation is serious or not that same day.

We don’t want you to wait weeks on end for an appointment because every minute counts when it comes to something as important as your health.

If your situation is serious, our specialist will write to your doctor on the NHS advising them that you need an urgent appointment.