Private Endometrial Ultrasound

You might need an Endometrial Ultrasound if you are experiencing abnormal bleeding, heavy or irregular periods, bleeding between periods, or any bleeding after the menopause. Postmenopausal bleeding should always be checked promptly, and a scan of the womb lining is usually the first step.

The scan is also used to monitor the lining if you are on HRT or tamoxifen, both of which can affect endometrial thickness, and to assess the lining as part of a fertility or IVF work-up. Your GP or specialist may also recommend it if a thickened lining, polyp or fluid has been noted on a previous scan and a closer expert look is needed.

An endometrial ultrasound focuses on the womb lining (the endometrium) and the cavity it sits in. In a single appointment your Specialist Senior Sonographer assesses:

• The thickness of the endometrium, measured precisely in millimetres.
• The appearance and pattern of the lining.
• Endometrial polyps.
• Endometrial hyperplasia (abnormal thickening).
• Fibroids that distort or press into the uterine cavity.
• Fluid collecting within the cavity.
• The effects of HRT or tamoxifen on the lining.
• How receptive the lining looks for fertility or IVF planning.

Together these findings give a clear picture of whether your lining is normal for your stage of life, or whether anything needs further attention.

An endometrial ultrasound uses safe, pain-free sound waves, with no radiation, no needles and no contrast injection. The lining is best seen with a transvaginal ultrasound, and a transabdominal view is added when needed:

• Transvaginal ultrasound (TVS): a slim, lubricated probe (about the size of a tampon) is gently placed in the vagina. This sits close to the womb and gives a high-resolution view of the lining, allowing the endometrium to be measured accurately.
• Transabdominal ultrasound: where helpful, a probe is moved across the lower abdomen after a little clear gel is applied, to show the overall size and shape of the womb.

Please take the opportunity to ask any questions or raise any concerns, your experience is our number one priority. The scan is carried out by a female Specialist Senior Sonographer unless you request otherwise, and you can pause or stop at any point.

The appointment usually unfolds in two parts:

• Transabdominal view (where needed), you’ll lie on your back and a small amount of warm gel is applied to your lower abdomen. The sonographer moves a smooth, hand-held probe over the area to show the overall womb. You shouldn’t feel any pain.
• Transvaginal scan, you will lie on your back with your knees bent and legs supported by a privacy sheet. A slim, lubricated probe is gently inserted into the vagina to measure the lining precisely. The gel may feel cool at first but soon warms to body temperature, and the scan should not hurt, notify your sonographer if you feel any discomfort.

Your sonographer will explain findings on the screen in real time, so by the end of your appointment you will already have a clear picture of what was seen.

Preparation for an endometrial ultrasound is straightforward. Because the lining is assessed mainly with the transvaginal probe, you will usually be asked to attend with an empty bladder, an empty bladder gives the clearest transvaginal view of the endometrium. If a transabdominal view is also planned, our team will tell you in advance whether to arrive with a comfortably full bladder.

There is no need to fast, and you can take any regular medication as normal, please continue your HRT or tamoxifen unless a clinician has advised otherwise.

The timing in your cycle matters for the womb lining. If you still have periods, days 5–10 of your cycle (just after your period) give the thinnest, clearest view of the lining. If you no longer have periods, the scan can be done at any time. Please let us know the date of your last period when you book so we can advise on the best timing.

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, same-day results.

Your Specialist Senior Sonographer will share their findings with you in real time during the scan, so you leave the room with a clear understanding of what was seen. Your Full Medical Report with Tailored Advice and any recommended next steps will be ready the same day, along with high-resolution digital images of your scan.

You can view and share both the report and the images securely from any internet-connected device, including your smartphone, and forward them directly to your GP, gynaecologist or fertility specialist.

Endometrial thickness is simply a measurement of how thick your womb lining is, taken in millimetres on the scan. What counts as normal depends entirely on your stage of life and where you are in your cycle.

• Before the menopause, the lining naturally changes through the cycle, from a few millimetres just after a period to noticeably thicker before it, so the number is interpreted alongside your cycle dates.
• After the menopause, the lining is normally thin. A thin lining is very reassuring; a thicker-than-expected lining, especially with bleeding, is the trigger for a closer look.
• On HRT or tamoxifen, these can increase thickness, so monitoring helps tell expected change from something that needs investigation.

Your specialist always reads the measurement in the context of your symptoms, age and medication, a single number is never interpreted on its own.

Yes, ultrasound is the first-line test for detecting changes in the womb lining, and it helps tell two common findings apart.

An endometrial polyp is a small, usually benign growth that projects into the cavity from the lining. Polyps are a frequent cause of irregular bleeding or spotting and often show up as a focal area on the scan, sometimes with its own small feeding blood vessel on Doppler.

Endometrial hyperplasia is a more general thickening of the whole lining, driven by hormone (oestrogen) effect. Most hyperplasia is benign, but some types need follow-up, so an accurate measurement matters.

Ultrasound is excellent at flagging which of these is likely. Where a definitive tissue diagnosis is needed, your specialist will explain the next step, such as a hysteroscopy or biopsy, and make sure it is arranged.

A healthy, receptive womb lining is essential for an embryo to implant, so the endometrium is a key part of any fertility or IVF work-up. The scan assesses both the thickness and the pattern of the lining at the right point in the cycle.

A lining that is too thin may make implantation less likely, while polyps, a thickened lining or fluid within the cavity can all interfere with conception or an embryo transfer. Identifying and addressing these before treatment can improve the chance of success.

Our report describes the lining precisely so your fertility specialist can time treatment, plan an embryo transfer, or address any finding before your IVF cycle proceeds.

A private endometrial ultrasound at Harley Street Ultrasound is £260, all fees inclusive. There are no extra charges for the consultation, your transvaginal scan (and transabdominal view where needed), the time you spend with your Specialist Senior Sonographer, your full medical report or your high-resolution digital images.

What’s included in the price:

• One-to-one appointment with a female Specialist Senior Sonographer
• Detailed transvaginal scan with precise endometrial thickness measurement
• Comprehensive written medical report with tailored advice
• Same-day high-resolution digital images delivered to your secure portal
• No referral required and no waiting list, most patients are seen within 24 to 48 hours

We accept self-pay and most major UK private health insurers. If you have insurance, please contact your provider before booking to confirm your policy covers a private endometrial scan at Harley Street Ultrasound, our team is happy to provide any clinical or pricing details they need.

Many of our patients worry that coming to us privately will somehow affect their NHS care. 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 are seen by a qualified Specialist who can assess your womb lining the same day. If your situation needs urgent attention, our Specialist will write to your NHS GP advising them that you need an urgent appointment, and your report and images can be shared securely with any NHS team.

We don’t want you to wait weeks for answers, every minute counts when it comes to your health and your peace of mind.