Prostate size and volume
Three-dimensional measurements are used to estimate prostate volume and document enlargement where present.
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Book online — £219
Book prostate scan — £219
Men’s pelvic ultrasound • London & St Albans
Private prostate and bladder ultrasound scan
A focused, radiation-free transabdominal ultrasound assessment of the prostate gland and urinary bladder, including prostate-volume measurement and a post-void residual bladder check when clinically appropriate. Suitable for adult men with urinary symptoms, suspected prostate enlargement or a need to monitor a known condition.
- No GP referral required
- Prostate volume and bladder assessment
- Pre-void and post-void measurements
- Written report and images
Adult external ultrasound
£219
Prostate + urinary bladder
Prostate measurementSize, estimated volume and accessible contour
Bladder assessmentWall, contents and visible structural findings
Residual urine checkPost-void bladder volume where appropriate
Clear next stepsStructured report for your GP or urologist
Direct answer
What does a prostate and bladder ultrasound assess?
This is an external ultrasound scan performed through the lower abdomen with a full bladder. It assesses prostate size and estimated volume, the general appearance of the prostate where visible, the urinary bladder wall and contents, and whether a significant volume of urine remains after urination.
The examination can support assessment of benign prostate enlargement and lower urinary tract symptoms such as weak flow, frequency, urgency, nocturia, hesitancy and incomplete emptying. It may also demonstrate visible bladder stones, debris, diverticula, wall thickening, trabeculation or a focal bladder lesion. These findings must be interpreted alongside symptoms, urine tests, PSA results and clinical assessment.
Important prostate-cancer limitation
A routine transabdominal ultrasound cannot confirm or reliably exclude prostate cancer. It does not replace PSA testing, digital rectal examination, multiparametric MRI or biopsy when those investigations are clinically indicated.
- Typical durationApproximately 20–30 minutes
- PreparationComfortably full bladder
- RadiationNone
- AgeAdult men aged 18 and over
Scan coverage
What is included in the £219 appointment?
The examination is tailored to your symptoms and clinical history. The accessible structures and measurements commonly include:
Prostate appearance
General transabdominal contour, echotexture and accessible focal changes are documented, recognising the limitations of this external technique.
Bladder before urination
Bladder filling, approximate volume, wall appearance and visible contents are assessed while the bladder is comfortably full.
Post-void residual urine
After you empty your bladder, the remaining urine volume may be measured to assess incomplete emptying or urinary retention.
Visible bladder abnormalities
Assessment for visible stones, debris, wall thickening, trabeculation, diverticula, clots or focal masses, where technically demonstrated.
Effect on the bladder base
The practitioner may document protrusion of an enlarged prostate into the bladder base and other features relevant to bladder-outlet obstruction.
Not automatically included: kidneys and upper urinary tract, testicular ultrasound, penile ultrasound, transrectal ultrasound, uroflowmetry, PSA blood testing, cystoscopy, prostate MRI or biopsy are separate services or investigations.
Reasons to book
When might this scan be useful?
- Weak, slow or intermittent urinary stream
- Difficulty starting urination, straining or terminal dribbling
- Urinary frequency, urgency or waking at night to pass urine
- A feeling that the bladder does not empty completely
- Suspected benign prostate enlargement or monitoring known enlargement
- Recurrent urinary infection, bladder stones or urinary retention
- Visible or microscopic blood in the urine as one part of a wider assessment
- Raised PSA or an abnormal prostate examination as an adjunct—not a cancer diagnosis
Seek urgent medical care if you cannot pass urine, have severe lower abdominal pain with a swollen bladder, heavy bleeding or clots in the urine, fever with urinary symptoms, or rapidly worsening illness. Do not wait for a routine ultrasound appointment.
Before your appointment
How to prepare for a prostate and bladder scan
Your bladder must be comfortably full for the first part of the examination. Follow the exact instructions sent with your booking.
Drink water
A common instruction is approximately 500–750 ml of still water 45–60 minutes before the appointment. Use the exact volume and timing in your confirmation.
Do not urinate
Try not to empty your bladder after drinking. It should feel full but not painfully overdistended.
No routine fasting
You can usually eat normally and take regular medication because this is a lower pelvic ultrasound rather than an abdominal-organ scan.
Bring useful records
Bring PSA, urine and kidney-function results, medication details, previous imaging and any urology letters or operation history.
What to expect
What happens during the appointment?
The examination is external, non-invasive and usually completed in approximately 20–30 minutes.
- 1
Clinical history
The practitioner reviews your urinary symptoms, PSA or urine results, medication, previous prostate or bladder conditions and any relevant surgery.
- 2
Full-bladder scan
You lie on your back and expose the lower abdomen. Gel is applied and the ultrasound probe is moved gently over the skin to assess the bladder and prostate.
- 3
Measurements and images
Prostate dimensions and estimated volume, bladder volume, wall appearance and relevant visible findings are measured and recorded.
- 4
Post-void assessment
You may be asked to empty your bladder in the toilet and return for a brief repeat scan to calculate the residual urine volume.
- 5
Results and recommendations
The principal observations are explained, followed by a structured report with images and advice about GP, urology or further imaging review where appropriate.
Findings and limitations
What can the report help clarify?
The report documents visible structural findings and measurements. It should be considered alongside your symptoms and other clinical tests.
Benign prostate enlargement
The scan can estimate prostate volume and show an enlarged gland or protrusion into the bladder base. Size alone does not prove that the prostate is causing all symptoms.
Bladder emptying
Pre-void and post-void measurements can show whether a notable residual urine volume remains after urination, supporting assessment of retention or obstruction.
Bladder response to obstruction
Wall thickening, trabeculation or diverticula may be visible in longstanding outlet obstruction, although these appearances are not specific to one cause.
Stones, debris or focal lesions
Some bladder stones, debris, clots and masses may be seen. A normal ultrasound does not rule out every bladder condition, especially small or flat lesions.
Ultrasound is not a stand-alone prostate-cancer test. A normal result cannot exclude clinically significant prostate cancer, and an abnormal appearance does not confirm it. Persistent haematuria, raised PSA or concerning symptoms may require GP or urology assessment, urine tests, cystoscopy, MRI and/or biopsy.
Choosing the right test
Prostate ultrasound, PSA, MRI and cystoscopy are different
PSA blood testing helps estimate prostate-cancer risk but is not diagnostic. A raised result can occur with benign enlargement, inflammation and other non-cancerous causes.
Multiparametric prostate MRI provides more detailed assessment when prostate cancer is suspected and can help determine whether a biopsy is needed. Biopsy provides tissue diagnosis.
Cystoscopy directly examines the inside of the bladder and urethra and may be required for persistent haematuria, recurrent infection or other concerning urinary symptoms even when ultrasound is normal.
Kidney and urinary tract ultrasound is a separate examination when the kidneys, hydronephrosis or upper urinary tract also need assessment.
Book online
Book a prostate and bladder ultrasound
Use the secure PrivateSono booking page to choose your clinic, date and available appointment time.
£219adult prostate and bladder scan
- Central London or St Albans
- Adult self-referral accepted
- Written report and relevant images
- Full-bladder instructions sent with booking
Ready to book?
Select the prostate and bladder ultrasound service, clinic and available time.
Open secure booking — £219 Call the booking teamBooking link: https://privatesono.com/book-a-scan/?service=prostate-and-bladder-ultrasound-scan
Why PrivateSono
Focused men’s urinary imaging with clear reporting
A private, patient-focused service with clinically relevant measurements, saved images, transparent limitations and practical recommendations.
Check appointment availabilityExperienced practitioners
Assessment by ultrasound professionals working within their clinical scope and professional registration.
Pre- and post-void assessment
Bladder volumes can be measured before and after urination to document emptying where clinically appropriate.
Clinician-ready report
Structured prostate and bladder measurements, relevant findings, limitations, images and onward recommendations.
Flexible private access
Appointments may be available seven days a week, including same-day slots subject to availability.
Clinic locations
Private prostate and bladder ultrasound near you
Choose Central London or St Albans when booking. Availability varies by date and practitioner.
Patient questions
Prostate and bladder ultrasound FAQs
These answers provide general booking and preparation guidance. Your booking confirmation and individual medical advice take priority.
What is a prostate and bladder ultrasound scan?
It is a non-invasive transabdominal ultrasound examination performed through the lower abdomen. With a comfortably full bladder, it assesses the prostate gland and urinary bladder and can measure the amount of urine remaining after you pass urine.
What can the scan show?
The scan can assess prostate size and estimated volume, general contour, the effect of prostate enlargement on the bladder base, bladder wall appearance, visible stones, debris, diverticula or masses, and pre-void and post-void bladder volumes. Ultrasound does not detect every condition.
Can this ultrasound diagnose prostate cancer?
No. A routine transabdominal prostate and bladder ultrasound cannot confirm or reliably exclude prostate cancer. PSA testing, clinical examination, multiparametric MRI and sometimes biopsy may be required when cancer is suspected.
How should I prepare?
Arrive with a comfortably full bladder. Follow the volume and timing in your booking confirmation; a common instruction is to drink approximately 500 to 750 ml of still water 45 to 60 minutes before the appointment and avoid urinating until the first part of the scan is complete.
Do I need to fast?
No fasting is usually needed for a prostate and bladder-only ultrasound. You can eat normally and take regular medication unless your booking confirmation gives different instructions.
Will I need to empty my bladder during the appointment?
Usually yes. The bladder and prostate are first assessed while your bladder is full. You may then be asked to pass urine so the practitioner can measure the post-void residual volume and assess how completely the bladder empties.
How long does the scan take?
The appointment commonly takes around 20 to 30 minutes. Timing can vary depending on bladder filling, whether a post-void measurement is required and the complexity of the findings.
Is the scan internal or transrectal?
This service is described as a standard external transabdominal prostate and bladder ultrasound. A transrectal ultrasound is a different examination and is not automatically included unless the clinic has specifically confirmed it as part of your appointment.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. Adult self-referral is accepted. Bring relevant PSA results, urine or blood-test results, medication details, previous scan or MRI reports and information about any urology treatment or surgery.
When will I receive the results?
The practitioner can usually explain the main observations after the scan. A structured written report with relevant images and recommendations is then provided for you to share with your GP or urology specialist.
Private men’s diagnostic ultrasound
Book your prostate and bladder ultrasound
External prostate-volume, bladder and post-void residual assessment in Central London or St Albans.