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Gynaecology · London

Private hysteroscopy in London, by a consultant gynaecologist.

A thin telescope passed through the cervix to see inside the womb - the definitive test for heavy or postmenopausal bleeding, polyps and fibroids. Outpatient or GA options.

A consultant gynaecologist talking a patient through a hysteroscopy in a London clinic

Indicative pricing

What a private hysteroscopy costs in London.

Indicative ranges across UK private providers.

In short

£650-£1,200, with findings on the day.

Procedure Indicative range
Outpatient hysteroscopy (no sedation) £650–£1,200
Hysteroscopy + biopsy £850–£1,500
Hysteroscopic polypectomy £1,200–£2,200
Hysteroscopy under GA £2,000–£3,800
Endometrial ablation £2,500–£4,500
Myomectomy (small fibroid) £3,000–£6,000

Prices vary by unit, whether the procedure is outpatient or under GA, and whether polyps or fibroids are removed and sent for analysis.

The problem

Nobody tells you what an outpatient hysteroscopy is actually like.

Some women sail through it. Others find it genuinely painful and wish they had been offered a GA. It is worth being honest about which end of the spectrum you might be on.

  • Worried it will hurt?

    Pain relief and the option of sedation or GA are worth discussing before you commit. No pressure to tough it out.

  • Not sure a hysteroscopy is right?

    Sometimes a transvaginal scan or MRI is the better first step.

What it shows

Find the reason that matches your symptom.

A hysteroscopy answers questions no scan alone can - and treats as it goes. These are the common reasons for having it.

  • Heavy menstrual bleeding

    Investigates periods that soak through, last too long, or cause anaemia.

  • Post-menopausal bleeding

    Any bleeding after the menopause needs urgent investigation - hysteroscopy is the definitive test.

  • Endometrial polyps

    Small growths in the womb lining, often removed in the same visit.

  • Submucosal fibroids

    Fibroids that bulge into the cavity - a leading cause of heavy bleeding and infertility.

  • Retained products or IUD

    Locates and removes a missing coil or tissue left behind after miscarriage or delivery.

  • Intrauterine adhesions

    Diagnoses Asherman’s syndrome and often treats it in the same procedure.

  • Investigation for infertility

    Part of the work-up when the womb cavity itself may be the issue.

  • Red flag

    Heavy bleeding with faintness, dizziness or collapse - call 999.

Procedure types

Not all hysteroscopies are the same.

What each option on your referral is actually for.

  • Diagnostic outpatient hysteroscopy

    A thin telescope passed through the cervix, no sedation, done in a clinic room.

  • See-and-treat outpatient

    Diagnosis and treatment of a polyp or small fibroid in the same outpatient visit.

  • Hysteroscopy under GA

    The same procedure asleep, in theatre - kinder when the cervix is tight or the treatment longer.

  • Endometrial ablation

    Treatment for heavy bleeding by removing the womb lining, usually under GA.

  • Adhesiolysis (Asherman’s)

    Division of scar tissue inside the womb to restore the cavity.

  • IUD retrieval

    Locates and removes a coil with missing threads or one that has embedded.

  • Fertility work-up hysteroscopy

    A close look at the cavity as part of a fertility assessment.

  • Post-menopausal bleeding urgent hysteroscopy

    Fast-tracked to exclude endometrial cancer or precancer.

Safety and eligibility

Very safe - but there is real planning to do.

Hysteroscopy is very safe, but there are things to plan: pain relief, sedation or GA choices, and any blood-thinning medication.

  • Discomfort like period cramps

    Most people describe the outpatient procedure as strong period cramps, briefly. It settles quickly.

  • Pain relief beforehand

    Take ibuprofen and paracetamol about an hour before, unless told otherwise. It genuinely helps.

  • Light bleeding after

    A few days of light bleeding is normal. Anything heavier or with fever needs to be reviewed.

  • No tampons or sex for 1-2 weeks after biopsy

    To reduce the risk of infection while the lining heals. Use pads.

  • Driving is safe if no sedation

    After a straightforward outpatient hysteroscopy without sedation, you can drive yourself home.

  • GA means fasting and no driving

    A general anaesthetic requires fasting beforehand and no driving for 24 hours. Someone must collect you.

  • Rare risks

    Infection is uncommon. Perforation of the womb is rare, around 1 in 1,000, and usually heals without treatment.

  • Anticoagulation may need pausing

    Warfarin, DOACs and clopidogrel may need adjusting.

  • Pregnancy

    Hysteroscopy is not performed if you are or might be pregnant.

Reading your report

A hysteroscopy report can look intimidating. It isn’t.

Whatever was done, the report keeps to the same four parts.

A London consultant gynaecologist reviewing hysteroscopy images

A quiet reminder

You will be told the headline on the day - the biopsy detail takes a little longer.

Ask your clinician to talk you through it at your follow-up.

  1. 01 Header

    Your details and the indication

    Your details and the reason for the procedure - bleeding, suspected polyp, fertility work-up.

  2. 02 Technique

    How the procedure was done

    The scope size, the fluid used to open the cavity, and any biopsies or treatments performed.

  3. 03 Findings

    What the gynaecologist saw

    The shape of the cavity, the appearance of the endometrium, and the tubal openings (ostia).

  4. 04 Impression

    The conclusion: read this first

    The conclusion - normal, polyp, fibroid, hyperplasia, or cancer risk - and the recommended next step.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Frequently asked

Common questions about hysteroscopy.

Quick answers on cost, pain, outpatient vs GA, results and next steps.

  • What can a hysteroscopy show?

    It gives a direct view inside the womb cavity - the endometrium, any polyps or submucosal fibroids, adhesions, retained tissue, and the openings of the fallopian tubes. Biopsies can be taken and many problems treated in the same visit.

  • Outpatient or under general anaesthetic - which is right for me?

    Most diagnostic hysteroscopies are done as an outpatient without sedation - it is quick and you go straight home. A GA is often kinder if the cervix is tight, if treatment is likely to be longer, or if you would find the outpatient procedure too uncomfortable. Both options are worth discussing honestly.

  • Does a hysteroscopy hurt?

    Most people describe it as strong period cramps for a short time. Taking ibuprofen and paracetamol an hour beforehand makes a real difference. If you find it too uncomfortable, the procedure can be stopped and rearranged under sedation or GA.

  • How much does a private hysteroscopy cost in London?

    Adding a biopsy or removing a polyp costs more, and hysteroscopy under GA is around £2,000-£3,800.

  • Do I need a referral?

    A hysteroscopy is arranged after a consultation, so the right approach is chosen and your medication reviewed.

  • I have post-menopausal bleeding - how urgent is it?

    Any bleeding after the menopause needs prompt investigation to rule out endometrial cancer or precancer. It is often nothing serious, but it always needs a proper look - usually within two weeks.

  • When will I get the results?

    The consultant tells you what they saw on the day. Biopsy results take 7-14 days, and they should be explained to you rather than left in a portal.

  • When can I have sex or use tampons again?

    Wait 1-2 weeks after a biopsy or any treatment, to let the lining heal and reduce infection risk. Use pads in the meantime.

  • Will a hysteroscopy affect my fertility?

    A diagnostic hysteroscopy does not affect fertility. Treating polyps, fibroids or adhesions often improves it. Your consultant will discuss any specific implications for your case.

  • When should I see a GP urgently?

    Heavy bleeding with faintness, dizziness or collapse is a 999 call. Fever, worsening pain, or offensive discharge after the procedure needs same-day review.

Related tests

Looking for a different test?

In practice, in London

What hysteroscopy looks like on the ground in London

With hysteroscopy, the London question is usually about report turnaround and the radiologist reading it - not whether the scan is available. Public provision for hysteroscopy is competent but constrained by capacity. Private London clinics tend to have shorter diaries and longer appointment slots, so you get the same specialists with more time. For people who’ve been going round in circles with primary care, that first proper conversation is often what shifts things.

A typical private booking for hysteroscopy in London starts with a consultant conversation - sometimes in person on Harley Street or Marylebone, sometimes on video if that suits better. Any imaging or diagnostics happen at a nearby CQC-registered facility, and reports usually land within 24 to 72 hours. The whole loop, from first call to written report, is often done inside a fortnight. For hysteroscopy specifically, the difference between a routine report and a sub-speciality read is where private care earns its keep.

There are dozens of consultants in London who see hysteroscopy - but not all of them are the right fit for every case. The right first appointment saves you from repeating yourself later.