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).
Contact our self-pay team
We offer a range of self-pay package options, including flexible Hospital Packages and all-inclusive Fixed Price Packages. Flexible payment plans are also available for some of our Fixed Price Packages.
To discuss our package options in more detail, please get in touch with our team.
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 £2,385 (day case), £3,045 (one night), £4,025 (two nights)
Indicative consultant fees from £500
- 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
- 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
See a list of all the consultants available at Cromwell Hospital.
Why choose Cromwell Hospital?
We have a team of highly experienced gynaecological consultants who have developed their skills and knowledge working on varied caseloads at leading NHS teaching hospitals in London.
Our gynaecologists work in a multidisciplinary team, which includes specialist nurses, radiographers, diagnostic experts and physiotherapists. Working together, they will tailor your care to your needs.
Our diagnostic service uses the latest technology and an on-site laboratory for speedy test results.
We move fast. If you get in touch, we can offer a consultation to assess your case the next day.
Book an appointment today
Please note - regrettably we are unable to answer specific medical questions or offer medical advice via email or telephone