Menopause Ultrasound Scans

From hot flushes, brain fog, palpitations and joint pain, the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause can be challenging for many women. A detailed pelvic ultrasound scan, carried out at our comfortable, private London clinic can form a vital part in monitoring and managing menopause symptoms. It can also offer reassurance if you are worried about any abnormal bleeding during this time. 

How can a pelvic ultrasound help with menopause symptoms?

Many women often find it hard to work out whether or not symptoms such as irregular periods, brain fog or anxiety are in fact part of menopause. It's understandably confusing - especially during perimenopause - and women can end up simply 'putting up' with symptoms. We are experts in women’s health and can carry out an advanced pelvic ultrasound scan to check your ovarian reserve, and whether or not you are still ovulating. 

Information from the scan, together with a simple blood test, will help ascertain whether or not you have entered menopause and can provide us with vital information. Your own doctor or one of our highly experienced menopause specialists can then use this information to create a bespoke treatment plan to manage and treat your symptoms. They can advise you on the next steps to take, which might, for example, include HRT or a carefully worked out dietary and exercise plan.  

How can an ultrasound scan help in diagnosing early menopause? 

Early menopause is defined as menopause that occurs before the age of 45 and affects around 5% of women. It can often remain undiagnosed, leaving many women experiencing symptoms such as infertility, irregular bleeding and hot flushes, with little or no specialist help. 

3D ultrasound scans can be key to diagnosing early menopause and in answering any questions you have around your fertility. We can assess your ovarian reserve and check your follicle count. We work as part of an integrated women’s health team who can use this detailed scan to help create a bespoke treatment plan according to your needs, whether it is starting HRT or exploring assisted reproduction. 

How can a pelvic ultrasound scan help with monitoring your HRT?  

HRT can work wonders for many women – however it’s not a one size fits all. It can take some trial and error to make sure the dosage of oestrogen and progesterone is right for you, and abnormal bleeding can occur during this time. 

Along with regular consultations with your doctor, a pelvic ultrasound can be an important tool in monitoring your HRT and understanding how you are responding to it. For example, oestrogen and progesterone HRT is linked to greater likelihood of abnormal bleeding in many women. A transvaginal ultrasound is helpful in evaluating such bleeding and checking the thickness of the endometrium (womb lining), to make sure it is within safe limits. 

How can a pelvic ultrasound scan help monitor abnormal bleeding during menopause?

We understand how abnormal bleeding after you’ve stopped your period can be worrying. It can be caused by many different factors, including the following: 

• Use of HRT
• Vaginal and endometrium thinning and atrophy, as a result of menopause
• Endometrial polyps
• Uterine fibroids
• Thickening of the endometrium (endometrial hyperplasia) 
• Infections of the uterus or cervix
• In rare cases, uterine cancers

A pelvic ultrasound will enable us to have a detailed look at your uterus, ovaries, womb and pelvic region to identify the causes of menopausal bleeding. We use the latest in ultrasound technology, inlcluding 3D scanning and colour Doppler imaging, to ensure highly accurate scan results. 

We can precisely measure endometrial thickness, to rule out the possibility of endometrial cancer, and to identify any other potential problems that are causing the bleeding. 

Do you need a referral for a menopause scan?

If you’ve been suffering from menopause symptoms for a while and would like greater clarity on your health you can book an appointment with no need for a referral. You can also visit our clinic for an ultrasound scan and obtain a detailed scan and report within 24 hours, even if you’re with another doctor or a specialist. 

This can give you peace of mind, particularly if you have been having serious concerns about bleeding or other issues. You can then share this information with other relevant medical professionals should you so wish. 

What to expect at your menopause scan  

We always make sure that your appointments are unhurried, and there is plenty of time for you to feel relaxed and ask plenty of questions. Your appointment will usually last around 30 minutes, so that we can ask about your medical history and your symptoms. We use transvaginal ultrasounds, to provide maximum accuracy. 

During the ultrasound, a lubricated, slender probe is inserted into your vagina, to carefully examine your pelvic area and capture detailed images. You should feel no pain, just some minor sensation as the probe is gently moved around.

Further tests you might have after a pelvic ultrasound scan

If we feel that it would be useful to have additional tests after your ultrasound scan, we can discuss this during your appointment. A supplemental blood test might help gain a clearer picture of your hormone levels, and further evaluate your ovarian reserve and function. 

These complementary tests are used in conjunction with an ultrasound scan, to offer a comprehensive assessment of your gynaecological health and will help your doctor or specialist develop a personalised plan at this important time of change.  

If you wish, you can make an appointment with one of our highly experienced consultant gynaecologists or GPs with special expertise in menopause and women's health, and they can advise you on what to do next.

Make an appointment for your private menopause ultrasound scan

If you would like a menopause ultrasound scan at our London clinic, please call 020 7244 4200 or make an appointment online. We also offer consultant-led menopause ultrasound scans. To find out more, click here.