Private Testicular (Scrotal) Ultrasound Scan in London
A private testicular ultrasound — also called a scrotal ultrasound — is a painless, radiation-free scan of the testes, epididymis and scrotal structures. It is the first-line test for lumps, swelling and testicular pain. £235 all-inclusive at 29 Weymouth Street, Marylebone W1G, with instant verbal results and a written report within 24 hours.
The most common booking we take for this scan is a man who found a lump in the shower and wants an answer today — and in our casebook, most of those lumps turn out to be harmless.
Sudden, severe testicular pain? Treat it as an emergency — do not book a scan.
Sudden severe pain in a testicle, testicle pain with feeling or being sick or pain in your tummy, or testicle pain that lasts more than an hour or continues at rest can be signs of testicular torsion — a twisted spermatic cord cutting off the blood supply. Torsion is most common in boys and young men and is a surgical emergency: go to A&E or call 999 now. An outpatient scan appointment is not the right route for these symptoms.
A testicular ultrasound scan is a safe, non-invasive test that uses high-frequency sound waves — not radiation — to build a live picture of the testes and the structures around them. You may also hear it called a scrotal ultrasound, a scrotal scan or a testicular sonogram: they are the same examination.
The scan images each testis, the epididymis (the coiled tube behind each testicle that stores sperm), the spermatic cord (the bundle of vessels and ducts running up to the groin) and the scrotal wall. A setting called colour Doppler is used to show blood flow, which helps distinguish inflammation, varicoceles and other conditions. European urology guidance recommends high-frequency ultrasound as the imaging test for assessing testicular lumps, and it is the same first-line examination used across the NHS.
It is one of the core scans in our men’s health ultrasound range, and the single most direct way to find out what a lump, ache or swelling actually is.
Structures examined
What does a testicular ultrasound assess?
Both sides are always examined and compared, even when your symptom is on one side only, because the healthy side is the best reference for what is normal for you.
Testes
The testicles themselves
Size, tissue pattern and symmetry of each testis. Any lump is measured and characterised — the key distinction is whether it is fluid-filled (usually harmless) or solid (needs specialist assessment).
The coiled tube behind each testicle and the cord above it. This is where the most common benign findings live: simple epididymal cysts, and the enlarged veins of a varicocele.
Blood flow
Colour Doppler assessment
Blood flow to both testes is checked and compared. Increased flow points towards inflammation such as epididymo-orchitis; the pattern of veins confirms or excludes a varicocele.
Fluid & wall
Scrotal wall & fluid spaces
Fluid around the testis (a hydrocele) is easy to see and measure. The scrotal wall itself is checked for thickening, and the groin region for any hernia extending downwards.
Findings
What can a testicular (scrotal) ultrasound detect?
Most findings on a scrotal scan are benign. The examination reliably separates the harmless causes of a lump or swelling from the small minority that need urgent specialist care.
Epididymal cysts and spermatoceles — small, smooth, fluid-filled swellings of the epididymis. Very common, harmless, and usually need no treatment.
Hydrocele — a build-up of fluid around the testicle. Clearly visible on ultrasound and usually harmless.
Varicocele — enlarged veins above the testicle, classically described as feeling like a bag of worms. Confirmed with Doppler, and sometimes relevant in fertility investigations.
Epididymo-orchitis — infection or inflammation of the epididymis and testicle, which shows as swelling with increased blood flow.
Testicular lumps and tumours — ultrasound shows whether a lump is inside the testis and whether it is solid. A solid lump within the testis needs urgent specialist referral, and your report will say so clearly; ultrasound alone does not give a final diagnosis.
Testicular microlithiasis — tiny specks of calcium inside the testis, usually found incidentally. Whether any follow-up is needed depends on the overall picture, which your report will set out.
Injury — after a blow to the scrotum, the scan checks the testis is intact and looks for bruising or bleeding. Severe pain after injury belongs in A&E, not an outpatient clinic.
Absent or undescended testis — where a testicle cannot be felt, ultrasound helps establish whether it is present in the groin.
Suspected testicular torsion is deliberately not on this list: torsion is assessed in hospital as an emergency, not at an outpatient clinic — see the red-flag panel at the top of this page.
When to book
Which symptoms mean you should book a testicular scan?
Book a scan for any new lump, swelling, ache or change in a testicle that is not an emergency. NHS guidance is clear that most testicular lumps are caused by something less serious — but also that you should never self-diagnose a lump: always get it checked.
A new painless lump
The classic reason for this scan. Ultrasound establishes where the lump is and whether it is fluid-filled or solid — the distinction that determines everything that follows.
Change in size, shape or texture
NICE guidance (NG12) advises a suspected-cancer pathway referral for a non-painful enlargement or change in shape or texture of the testis — a scan gives that process a clear starting point.
Dull ache or heaviness
Often caused by a varicocele, a cyst or a hydrocele. The scan identifies which — and frequently, that nothing abnormal is present at all.
Swelling on one side
Ultrasound separates fluid around the testicle from swelling of the testicle or epididymis itself, which changes what happens next.
Discomfort after a knock or injury
A scan confirms the testis is intact and checks for bruising. Severe pain after injury is an emergency — go to A&E instead.
Fertility investigations
Scrotal ultrasound is sometimes requested as part of a fertility work-up, particularly to confirm or exclude a varicocele.
The single most frequent trigger for a self-referral to our clinic is a new lump found in the shower. The pattern is remarkably consistent: sheer panic, and the wish for an immediate answer today rather than sitting with the worry in a GP waiting room. The reassuring part is what the scan usually shows. In the great majority of these appointments the lump turns out to be entirely benign — most often a simple, fluid-filled epididymal cyst, or a harmless hydrocele that needs no treatment at all.
A generalised, anonymised pattern from the Sonoworld men’s imaging casebook — not an individual case. Every lump still needs its own assessment, and sudden severe testicular pain is an emergency: go to A&E or call 999 rather than booking a scan.
Step by step
How does your testicular ultrasound appointment work?
The whole visit takes around 20 minutes, is performed in a private room, and requires no preparation at all — eat and drink normally, shower as usual, and wear comfortable clothing.
1
Book your appointmentOnline or by phone. Same-day and next-day appointments are usually available.
2
Brief, focused historyA short conversation about what you have noticed, where, and for how long — so the scan is targeted, not generic.
3
The scan itselfYou lie on the couch and towels are used for draping, so only the scrotum is exposed. Warm gel is applied and a small probe examines both testicles, including colour Doppler blood-flow views. You can bring someone with you, and a chaperone is available on request.
4
Instant verbal resultsThe sonographer explains the findings to you on screen before you leave the room — including, very often, the words most men have come to hear: this is benign.
5
Written report within 24 hoursSent securely, formatted for your GP or a urologist to act on directly. If anything needs follow-up, the recommended next step is set out in the report and explained to you before you go.
Transparent pricing
How much does a private testicular ultrasound cost?
£235, all-inclusive. That covers the focused history, ultrasound of both testicles with Doppler blood-flow assessment, instant verbal results and the written report within 24 hours. No booking, registration or report fees.
Insurance: we work with AXA Health, AXA Global, Healix Health and WPA — check your authorisation requirements with your insurer before booking. Self-pay patients need no referral at all.
Why men choose the private route for this scan
The value is speed and certainty at an anxious moment: a same-day appointment, the scan explained to you as it happens, and a written report within 24 hours that any GP or urologist can act on. For most men, the outcome is fast, documented reassurance.
Choosing a route
Private testicular ultrasound vs NHS: what is the difference?
Both routes use the same type of scan. The differences are in access, speed and how you receive your results.
NHS pathway
Sonoworld (private)
Getting a scan
GP appointment first, then a referral for imaging.
Self-refer and book online — no GP visit needed.
Waiting
Depends on the pathway and local demand; urgent suspected-cancer referrals are prioritised.
Same-day and next-day appointments are usually available.
Results
The report usually goes back to the referring clinician first.
Instant verbal results at the scan; the written report is sent to you within 24 hours.
Continuity
You may not meet the person reporting your scan.
The clinician who scans you explains the findings to you directly.
Cost
Free at the point of use.
£235 all-inclusive.
For urgent suspected-cancer symptoms the NHS pathway is fast, free and the right route. This comparison is about access and convenience for non-urgent concerns — not clinical superiority.
After the scan
What happens after the scan — understanding your results
You leave knowing what was found. The written report that follows within 24 hours describes each testis and epididymis, any lump’s size, position and appearance, the Doppler blood-flow findings, and a clear conclusion with a recommendation.
Most reports are reassuring: a simple cyst, a hydrocele, a varicocele, or a normal scan. Where a finding does need action, the recommendation follows UK practice — for a solid lump within the testis, that means urgent specialist assessment in line with NICE suspected-cancer guidance, and we explain exactly what to do before you leave. To make sense of the wording radiologists and sonographers use, read our plain-English guide to interpreting your testicular ultrasound results, or start with the complete guide to testicular ultrasound.
Keep exploring
Related scans & next steps
Guide
Testicular ultrasound: the complete guide
What the scan is, why it is done and what it finds — the long-form companion to this page.
Sonoworld is rated 4.7/5 from 213 Google reviews. Patient feedback is published on independent review platforms: read what patients have said on our Doctify profile, or see a selection on our patient reviews page.
No. A testicular ultrasound scan should not hurt. Warm gel is applied to the scrotum and a small hand-held probe is moved gently over the skin. Most men feel light pressure and nothing more. If any area is tender, for example after an injury or with an infection, tell the sonographer, who will adjust the examination to keep you comfortable.
Do I need a GP referral for a private testicular ultrasound?
No. You can self-refer to Sonoworld for a private testicular ultrasound without seeing a GP first. If you do have a referral letter, previous scan reports or clinic letters, bring them along, as they add useful clinical context. Patients using health insurance should confirm their cover and any authorisation requirements with their insurer before booking.
How should I prepare for a testicular (scrotal) ultrasound?
No preparation is needed. You can eat and drink normally, there is no need for a full bladder, and no medication changes are required. Simply shower as usual and wear loose, comfortable clothing. The scan is performed with you lying on a couch, and you can return to work or normal activities immediately afterwards.
How long does a testicular ultrasound take?
Plan for an appointment of around 20 minutes. That includes a brief conversation about your symptoms, the scan of both testicles with colour Doppler blood-flow views, and time at the end for the sonographer to explain the findings to you on screen. The scanning itself is usually the quickest part of the visit.
Who performs the scan, and can someone come with me?
Your scan is performed by a consultant sonographer at our CQC-registered clinic in Marylebone. The examination is done in a private room with towel draping, so only the area being scanned is exposed. You are welcome to bring someone with you, and a chaperone can be requested when you book or when you arrive.
How quickly will I get my testicular ultrasound results?
You receive instant verbal results: the sonographer explains what the scan shows before you leave the room. Your written report follows within 24 hours, sent securely, and is formatted so a GP or urologist can act on it directly. If anything needs urgent follow-up, the recommended next step is explained to you before you go home.
Can a testicular ultrasound tell if a lump is cancer?
Ultrasound is very good at showing whether a lump is fluid-filled, which is usually harmless, or solid. In our casebook, most lumps men book in with turn out to be benign cysts or fluid collections. A solid lump inside the testis needs urgent specialist assessment, and if we see one, your report will recommend referral in line with NICE suspected-cancer guidance. Ultrasound alone does not give a final diagnosis.
How much does a private testicular ultrasound cost in London?
A private testicular (scrotal) ultrasound at Sonoworld in Marylebone costs £235 all-inclusive. The price covers a focused history, ultrasound of both testicles with Doppler blood-flow assessment, instant verbal results and a written report within 24 hours. There are no hidden booking or report fees. We work with AXA Health, AXA Global, Healix Health and WPA.
Clinical Sources
Sources cited on this page
NICE NG12. Suspected cancer: recognition and referral — recommendations 1.6.7 and 1.6.8 (testicular cancer). Accessed 4 August 2026.
nice.org.uk/guidance/ng12
European Association of Urology. Guidelines on Testicular Cancer — Diagnostic evaluation (recommends high-frequency testicular ultrasound). Accessed 4 August 2026.
uroweb.org/guidelines/testicular-cancer
Practice pattern in the “From our practice” section: Sonoworld men’s health imaging casebook — generalised and anonymised.
