A pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound that characterises an ovarian cyst: its size, wall, contents, blood flow and whether it has any feature that needs further investigation. Most cysts are harmless and go away on their own; this scan tells you which kind you have and what, if anything, needs to happen next. Female consultant ultrasound practitioner, CQC-registered Marylebone clinic, same-day appointments, no GP referral required.
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Booked as a pelvic ultrasound appointment. Instant verbal results. Written report within 24 hours.
Ovarian cysts are extremely common. Many are functional cysts that form as part of the normal menstrual cycle and disappear within a few weeks. Being told you have a cyst, or finding one unexpectedly on another scan, is frightening mainly because of what is not yet known: its type, its size and whether it has any worrying features.
An ovarian cyst scan answers those questions. Using the transvaginal probe for detail and colour Doppler for blood flow, the cyst is described using the internationally agreed IOTA descriptors: wall thickness, septations, solid areas, papillary projections, fluid in the pelvis and vascularity. Simple cysts, haemorrhagic cysts, endometriomas and dermoid cysts each have recognisable appearances, and the report follows the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ guidance on which cysts need follow-up, a CA-125 blood test or a specialist opinion.
Ultrasound cannot prove that a cyst is benign or malignant; it classifies the likelihood. That is why complex findings are reported with a clear recommendation rather than left for you to interpret. One safety note: sudden severe pelvic pain with vomiting or fever can mean a cyst has twisted or ruptured and needs emergency care, not a routine scan.
Book this scan for a new cyst that needs characterising, a known cyst that is due a follow-up measurement, or symptoms that could be coming from an ovary.
Both ovaries, the uterus and the pelvis are examined, with the cyst characterised in detail.
Thin-walled, fluid-filled cysts with no internal structure. In women who have not reached the menopause these are usually part of the cycle, and small ones need no follow-up at all.
Bleeding into a cyst, the ground-glass contents of an endometrioma and the fat and calcium of a dermoid each look distinctive. Naming the type correctly avoids unnecessary worry and unnecessary surgery.
Thick walls, internal partitions, solid nodules, projections into the cyst and increased blood flow on colour Doppler are the features that raise the level of concern and prompt a CA-125 test or a gynaecology referral.
Polycystic ovarian appearance, fluid in the pelvis and uterine findings such as fibroids are documented in the same visit, so the report explains your symptoms as a whole.
Drink about a litre of water an hour before your appointment and do not empty your bladder: the transabdominal part of the scan needs a full bladder. You will empty it before the transvaginal part. If this is a follow-up scan for a cyst seen before, booking it early in your cycle, in the week after your period, gives the clearest answer about whether a functional cyst has gone.
Your practitioner asks about your symptoms, cycle, menopausal status, previous scans and family history, all of which affect how a cyst is interpreted.
With a full bladder, the pelvis is surveyed from the outside and large cysts are measured in full.
With your consent, the internal probe shows the wall, contents and internal structure of the cyst in fine detail.
The cyst is measured in three planes, described with IOTA descriptors and assessed with colour Doppler for blood flow within and around it.
Findings are explained straight away. A written report with images and a clear recommendation (no follow-up, repeat scan, CA-125 test or referral) follows within 24 hours.
The scan is booked as a pelvic ultrasound appointment; tell us that an ovarian cyst is the reason for the scan. Compare all women’s health examinations on the Women’s Health Scans Hub.
No. The large majority are benign, and functional cysts usually disappear on their own within a few weeks. The purpose of the scan is to confirm that a cyst is one of the harmless types and to pick out the small minority that need further assessment.
Size is only one factor. A simple cyst smaller than 5 cm in a woman who has not reached the menopause usually needs no follow-up at all. Larger simple cysts are generally re-scanned, and cysts with complex features, or any cyst after the menopause, are assessed with a CA-125 blood test and a gynaecology opinion.
Not with certainty. Ultrasound classifies how likely a cyst is to be benign or malignant from its appearance. Cysts with concerning features are referred for further tests; the scan is the first step in that pathway, not the last.
It is recommended because it shows the internal structure of a cyst far better than a scan through the abdomen. It is explained first and performed only with your consent.
If a follow-up is advised, it is usually six to twelve weeks later, early in the cycle, to confirm a functional cyst has resolved. Longer-term monitoring intervals depend on the type and size and are set out in your report.
No. You can self-refer and book online or by phone. The report can be shared with your GP or specialist afterwards.
Related: pelvic ultrasound scan, endometriosis scan, fibroid scan and antral follicle count scan. Patient guides: pelvic pain: do I need a scan? and bloating: when to investigate.
