Hysteroscopy

A hysteroscopy is a procedure to examine the inside of your womb to diagnose or treat any problems. It is carried out using a hysteroscope, a narrow telescope fitted with a light and camera. This is passed through your vagina, and sends images of your womb back to your gynaecologist or specialist nurse.

Who is suitable for a hysteroscopy?

If you are experiencing symptoms such as unusual vaginal bleeding, heavy periods, pelvic pain or difficulties getting pregnant, a hysteroscopy can help to investigate, diagnose and treat the problem.

A hysteroscopy gives a clear picture of your womb. This can be used to:

investigate symptoms, such as vaginal bleeding and heavy periods
identify any problems that might be making it difficult for you to get pregnant
diagnose conditions, such as polyps and fibroids (non-cancerous growths in the womb).

Small instruments passed though the hysteroscope can also be used to treat conditions and problems – for example, to remove polyps, treat scar tissue, or recover displaced intrauterine devices (IUDs).

What does a hysteroscopy involve?

Depending on whether the procedure is to investigate or treat a problem, a hysteroscopy usually takes between 10-30 minutes. Your gynaecologist or specialist nurse will pass the hysteroscope through your vagina and into your womb. This can normally be done without anaesthetic or with local anaesthetic. However, for some procedures involving treatment, you may have a general anaesthetic.

What is the recovery period?

If your hysteroscopy is only to investigate or diagnose, you should be able to go home shortly after the procedure. If you had a general anaesthetic, you will need to rest in hospital while the effects wear off, but should be home later that day. In either case, you should be able to return to your normal activities the next day. You may experience some cramps, discomfort and bleeding for a few days.

If your hysteroscopy also involves treatment, such as removing polyps, you will need to be cared for in hospital for up to two nights. Your recovery time will also be longer, and could be around two weeks.

What can you do to prepare for a hysteroscopy?

Your consultant gynaecologist or specialist nurse will discuss with you how you can prepare. You may be advised to take over-the-counter painkillers shortly before the hysteroscopy, for example, or to avoid eating and drinking for a few hours before the procedure, if you are having a general anaesthetic.

Self-pay package

As well as working with all major insurance companies, we also welcome patients who wish to pay for themselves. Below is an outline of our self-pay hospital package which includes tests, hospital stay and procedure. Please note: it does not include consultant fees, which may vary.  

Hospital package from £2,295 (day case), £2,955 (one night), £3,935 (two nights)

Indicative consultant fees from £500

Inclusions

Standard pre-admission tests, including electrocardiogram (ECG) and chest X-ray
Accommodation in a private en-suite room for up to two nights if needed
All meals
Nursing
Ward medications and dressings
Theatre procedure and anesthetics
Standard histology tests (analysis of diseased tissue)
Inpatient physiotherapy, if needed, and surgical stockings
Post-op and discharge medication

Exclusions

Consultant consultation fee 
Consultant procedure fee 
Anesthetist fee
Non-standard diagnostic and histology tests
Any additional costs not specified in the package inclusions

Our consultants

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Please note - regrettably we are unable to answer specific medical questions or offer medical advice via email or telephone