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Well-woman health screen - a check-up worth having.

A UK GP or women’s health consultant, not a checklist tick-and-post.

A stethoscope on a clinical desk

Indicative pricing

What a private well-woman screen costs in the UK.

Indicative ranges across UK health screening units.

In short

£350–£1,500, full report in 5–10 working days.

Procedure Indicative range
Core well-woman screen (bloods, exam, BP, urinalysis) £350–£550
+ cervical screening (HPV-primary) £420–£650
+ breast ultrasound (under 40) or mammogram (40+) £650–£900
+ pelvic ultrasound £750–£1,000
Advanced (adds DEXA + fitness testing + ECG) £1,000–£1,500
Consultation only £200–£400

Prices vary by whether cervical screening, mammogram, ultrasound and DEXA are bundled.

The problem

A well-woman screen is only useful when it fits you - not a template.

Off-the-shelf screening packages are common. A useful screen asks about your family history, your perimenopausal symptoms, your cardiovascular risk and your questions - and matches investigations to that, not to the price tier.

  • Age matters

    Under 40, cervical and breast take priority; 40–50, add cardiovascular risk; over 50, add bone and mammography.

  • Family history changes the pathway

    BRCA, Lynch, early cardiovascular disease - pushes earlier and more frequent screens.

  • Perimenopause deserves its own conversation

    Bloods rarely diagnose menopause. Symptoms drive the plan; HRT if it fits.

When it helps

When a well-woman screen is the right step.

Situations where a structured screen adds something over ad-hoc tests.

  • Baseline health assessment 30+

    A single properly-run screen against which future numbers are compared.

  • Perimenopause (40s)

    Symptoms, cardiovascular risk, bone baseline and HRT conversation.

  • Family history of breast or ovarian cancer

    Adjusts imaging cadence and genetics referral.

  • Family history of heart disease

    Adds lipids, HbA1c, blood pressure, calcium score.

  • Planning pregnancy

    Rubella, thyroid, iron, folate and blood pressure.

  • Contraception or HRT review

    Structured yearly conversation with bloods.

  • Executive baseline

    A structured screen tied to your work medical.

  • Red flag: acute symptoms need targeted care

    New breast lump, unusual bleeding, severe chest pain - see a specialist that week, not a screen next month.

Procedure options

What can be included.

Add-ons that earn their place - and those that don’t always.

  • Full blood count, U&Es, LFTs, TFTs

    Core bloods that catch common issues (anaemia, kidney and liver function, thyroid).

  • Lipids and HbA1c

    Cardiovascular and diabetes risk assessment.

  • Vitamin D, B12, ferritin

    Commonly low and often symptomatic.

  • Cervical screening (HPV-primary)

    Per NHS pathway from 25 - every 3–5 years.

  • Breast imaging

    Ultrasound under 40; mammogram (2D or tomosynthesis) from 40.

  • Pelvic ultrasound

    Useful with symptoms; not always needed as routine screening.

  • DEXA bone density

    From menopause onwards or with risk factors - see the DEXA page.

  • Cardiovascular add-ons

    ECG, echocardiogram, coronary calcium score - matched to risk.

Safety and recovery

What to expect afterwards - honestly.

The safety profile is well understood. What matters is choosing the right test, and reading the report honestly.

  • Bloods and BP are safe

    Standard venepuncture and cuff measurement.

  • Cervical screening

    Well tolerated; discomfort briefly. HPV-primary is the UK standard.

  • Breast examination

    Chaperoned. Any lump gets triple assessment, not reassurance.

  • Radiation, when used

    A mammogram is around 0.4 mSv; DEXA is around 0.001 mSv.

  • Overtesting is a real risk

    Tumour markers (CA-125, CEA) in well women often cause harm through false positives - they are not routinely included.

  • Full-body MRI is a separate decision

    Not part of a standard well-woman screen - see the dedicated MRI screen page.

  • Repeat cadence

    Annual for perimenopause and higher-risk; biennial for average risk from 40.

  • Insurer cover for follow-up

    Investigations for a positive screen are usually covered with a referral.

  • When to escalate

    New breast lump, postmenopausal bleeding or severe chest pain need same-day specialist care.

Reading your operation note

Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whichever centre does the scan, the report keeps to the same shape.

A UK consultant reviewing operation notes

A quiet reminder

Surgical language is precise and can read coldly - ask your clinician to explain anything that is unclear.

If anything about the operation note and any histology is unclear, ask your clinician to talk you through it before your review.

  1. 01 Header

    History and examination

    Your reported symptoms, family history and examination findings.

  2. 02 Findings

    Blood, imaging and screening results

    Every result reported with reference ranges and plain-language interpretation.

  3. 03 Risks

    Cardiovascular, cancer, bone and metabolic risk

    Structured summary of major risk categories, with numbers where relevant.

  4. 04 Impression

    Plan and follow-up

    Read this first - recommendations, referrals and repeat intervals.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Well-woman screening in a healthy woman is almost always self-pay. Investigations of specific symptoms or family history are usually covered by UK PMI with a referral.

Frequently asked

Common questions about well-woman health screen.

Quick answers on approach, recovery, risks and cost.

  • How much does a well-woman screen cost in the UK?

    £350–£550 for a core screen; £650–£900 with breast imaging; £1,000–£1,500 for an advanced level including DEXA and cardiovascular add-ons.

  • Is a well-woman screen covered by insurance?

    Screening in a well person is usually self-pay. Investigations of specific symptoms are typically covered by UK PMI with a referral.

  • From what age should I have a well-woman screen?

    Many women start a structured screen in their 30s, adding breast and bone imaging in the 40s and 50s. The right cadence depends on family history and personal risk.

  • Does it replace NHS cervical or breast screening?

    No. Private screens can include cervical HPV testing and mammography, but the NHS pathway continues in parallel and is worth taking up.

  • Do I really need tumour markers like CA-125?

    In a well woman, tumour markers are usually not recommended - they cause more false alarms than early cancer detections. They are used only when there is a specific reason.

  • How long does the appointment take?

    Half a day for most packages, allowing for consultation, examination, bloods and imaging in one visit.

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