Why might my child need a pelvic ultrasound?
Common reasons include lower tummy or pelvic pain, very painful or heavy periods, periods that have not started by fifteen, signs of puberty that seem early or late, a suspected ovarian cyst, or a follow-up of something seen before.
When does my child need urgent care instead?
Go to A&E if your child has sudden, severe pain low in the tummy, especially on one side with vomiting, or severe pain with fever or fainting. Sudden one-sided pain with vomiting can be ovarian torsion, where an ovary twists, which needs emergency surgery.
Is the scan done internally?
No. A child or young person’s pelvic scan is always done over the tummy (transabdominally), using a full bladder as a window. There is no internal examination.
Can a pelvic ultrasound show ovarian cysts in teenagers?
Yes. Small fluid-filled ovarian cysts are very common in teenage girls, form as part of the normal monthly cycle and usually disappear on their own. Ultrasound shows their size and appearance, and larger or unusual cysts are followed up or referred.
Can a pelvic ultrasound diagnose PCOS in a teenager?
Not on its own. Many healthy teenagers have ovaries that look polycystic on a scan, because the ovaries are still maturing, so international guidance advises against using ultrasound alone to diagnose PCOS within eight years of a girl’s first period. Diagnosis is based on symptoms and blood tests, and your specialist will explain how the scan fits in.
What if my daughter’s periods have not started?
If periods have not started by fifteen, or within three years of breast development starting, a pelvic scan can check the uterus and ovaries are present and developing normally. If there is monthly tummy pain but no period, the scan can also show whether blood is collecting, which needs specialist review.
What if puberty seems early?
Breast development before eight in girls, or other puberty signs earlier than expected, can be checked with a pelvic scan, which shows whether the uterus and ovaries are changing as they do in puberty. Your specialist may suggest a paediatric endocrinologist to check hormone levels.
What does the scan check?
A child pelvic ultrasound examines:
- The size and shape of the uterus, compared with age and puberty stage
- Both ovaries and any cysts
- The thickness of the womb lining
- The bladder
How can I reassure my child beforehand?
Explain that it is like the scans people have in pregnancy: a little cool jelly on the tummy and a small camera that does not hurt, and nobody looks anywhere private. Let them know you can stay with them and they can ask questions at any time.
How do we prepare for the scan?
Your child needs a comfortably full bladder: ask them to drink two or three glasses of water in the hour before the appointment and not to empty their bladder until after the scan. They can eat as normal.
Is a child pelvic ultrasound safe for my child?
Yes. Ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, and needs no needles or sedation. It is the recommended first test for many childhood lumps and joint problems precisely because it is so gentle, and it can be repeated safely whenever follow-up is needed.
How long does a child pelvic ultrasound take?
The scan itself usually takes ten to twenty minutes. Allow around half an hour for the appointment, so there is time to settle your child and talk through the results.
When will we get the results?
You will know the findings before you leave, because the specialist explains them during the appointment. The written report is usually on your secure patient portal the same day, ready to share with your GP or paediatrician.
How much does a private child pelvic ultrasound cost?
At Harley Street Ultrasound a private child pelvic ultrasound costs £450, all fees inclusive: the scan, the specialist’s time and your written report. Same-day or next-day appointments are usually available, with the results explained before you leave.
What if you find something?
Your specialist tells you in the room, in plain English, and explains exactly what it means. You will never be sent home to wait for a letter. Most findings are benign and need nothing more than a sensible review date.
Anything that does need attention gets a clear, objective recommendation in your report: monitor, test further, or refer. Follow-up tests can usually be arranged at 99 Harley Street, often the same week, and those results are also explained to you personally.
Do I need a referral?
No. Harley Street Ultrasound is a private clinic, so you can book a child pelvic ultrasound in London directly online or by phone. No GP letter, no waiting list, and same-day or next-day appointments are usually available. If you are searching for a child pelvic ultrasound near me from anywhere in central London, we are at 99 Harley Street, a short walk from Regent’s Park and Oxford Circus stations.
If you are wondering how much a private child pelvic ultrasound costs, the answer is published before you book: £450, all fees inclusive: the examination, the specialist’s time, your written report and your images. Insured patients should bring a referral or authorisation number if their policy requires one.
How soon will I have the written report?
Usually the same day: a Harley Street child pelvic ultrasound comes with same-day results as standard, and you will already know the findings, because they are explained to you on screen during the appointment.
The written report is prepared by the specialist team and published to your secure patient portal together with your images, with measurements and a clear recommendation, ready to share with your GP or specialist.
What happens after the scan?
Nothing special: there is no aftercare. Your child can feed, eat, play and go back to nursery or school straight away. Ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, so it can be repeated safely whenever follow-up is needed. If the results suggest a next step, your specialist explains it to you before you leave.
Can I still use the NHS afterwards?
Yes: completely. Coming to us privately never affects your NHS care. Our job is to get you answers quickly; if anything needs urgent attention, your specialist writes to your NHS GP recommending an urgent appointment, so you re-enter the NHS pathway with a diagnosis already in hand rather than joining the queue from the start.
