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Private hysteroscopy
- Appointments confirmed within 24 hours
- Fast access to outpatient and daycase hysteroscopy
- Specialist gynaecology services in London, Manchester and Birmingham
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Private hysteroscopy at HCA UK
Why choose us
A hysteroscopy can find and treat the cause of various issues that may be impacting your life. If you're struggling with symptoms such as heavy periods, bleeding between periods, postmenopausal bleeding or fertility issues, our dedicated women's health experts are here to help.
If a hysteroscopy is suitable for you, you'll have a dedicated consultant and multidisciplinary team to support you beforehand and on the day of your procedure. We can swiftly arrange personalised follow-up care if needed, helping you move forward with your life.
If a hysteroscopy is suitable for you, you'll have a dedicated consultant and multidisciplinary team to support you beforehand and on the day of your procedure. We can swiftly arrange personalised follow-up care if needed, helping you move forward with your life.
A hysteroscopy is a medical procedure using a thin tube with a tiny camera (a hysteroscope) to look inside your womb and cervix. It's mainly used to investigate and sometimes treat abnormal vaginal (uterine) bleeding, for example, by removing fibroids.
You may be recommended a hysteroscopy to:
- Investigate the cause of heavy periods, bleeding between periods or bleeding after menopause
- Find and remove fibroids or polyps, two types of abnormal growth in your womb, which can cause pain and affect your fertility
- Investigate the cause of repeated miscarriages or difficulty getting pregnant
- Locate and remove a lost coil (intrauterine device)
- Investigate and treat a birth defect of the womb called a uterine septum, which can affect fertility
- Take a tissue sample to check for endometrial cancer
While a hysteroscopy can be a quick, safe and effective way to get an accurate diagnosis and alleviate symptoms, you shouldn't have it if you're pregnant or have a pelvic infection.
Our experienced gynaecologists will carry out a thorough assessment to recommend the right option and tailored support for you. Your consultant will discuss with you what pain relief you would like. We offer the full range of options in outpatient and daycase settings under sedation or general anaesthesia.
A hysteroscopy is carried out in the following steps:
- Your consultant gently places a thin camera into your womb so they can see clearly and understand what might be causing your symptoms. A saline solution is injected to make it easier for them to see.
- The camera sends images to a screen for your consultant to assess your womb and what might be causing the issues you're experiencing.
- If needed, your consultant may take a small sample (biopsy) or remove any abnormalities, such as fibroids or polyps, during the same procedure.
A dedicated consultant and multidisciplinary team will explain exactly what’s going to happen, including your pain relief options, so you feel informed and supported.
Your hysteroscopy healing and recovery time will depend on the procedure. It may have been diagnostic, or your consultant could have surgically removed abnormalities such as fibroids. In most cases, you'll go home on the same day and make a full recovery in a few days.
It’s normal to feel cramping, a bit like period pain, for a few days afterwards. We’ll give you simple pain relief and advice to help you feel more comfortable while you recover. It's best to avoid sex, tampons, bathing or swimming and other exercise after a hysteroscopy until these effects have stopped.
We'll give tailored recovery advice for your procedure type and lifestyle, so you can return to normal as comfortably and confidently as possible.
Next-day appointments
With dedicated women's health experts and extended appointment times
State-of-the-art private facilities
Including dedicated women's health clinics, centres and hospitals
Comprehensive care options
For all women's health conditions and their treatment
Locations
Where can I get a private hysteroscopy?
Our women’s health network in London, Manchester and Birmingham is with you from consultation to aftercare. With trusted gynaecology consultants, safe hands and clear guidance, we provide reassurance and support at every step of your private hysteroscopy journey.
Women’s Health Centre
27-29 Harley Street W1G 9QP London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard 32 St Thomas Street SE1 9BS London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place St John's Wood NW8 9LE London
Your private hysteroscopy with HCA UK
What to expect
From your first consultation to follow-up care, our women's health experts will ensure you feel informed and supported. Our gynaecology specialists are here to answer any questions you may have and will provide compassionate guidance and personalised care tailored to your individual needs and concerns.
01
Initial consultation
Following a referral from your GP, or one of our private GPs, you'll meet with a specialist at one of our private facilities. They'll ask about your symptoms and discuss how a hysteroscopy might help, whether for diagnosis or as part of a treatment plan. You’ll have the opportunity to ask any questions about the procedure and what it could mean for your health.
02
Preparing for your hysteroscopy
Next, you'll agree on a personalised care plan recommended by your consultant. Your dedicated team, including a clinical nurse specialist, will give detailed advice on how to prepare. We'll address any of your questions or concerns, so you feel fully prepared for the next step.
03
During your procedure
On the day, you’ll be welcomed into one of our world-class private hospitals and checked over by your consultant and surgical team. They can answer any last-minute questions. Once you’re comfortable, they'll carry out the procedure either to diagnose or treat the underlying issue. We use the latest technology, so your procedure is as effective and minimally invasive as possible.
04
Follow-up care
Afterwards, you’ll be monitored in a private, comfortable room where you'll rest and recover, allowing any anaesthetic or sedative used to wear off. You'll usually be able to go home on the same day with clear aftercare instructions to support your recovery. Your consultant will arrange any necessary follow-up appointments to check on your progress and address any questions or concerns as you return to your normal routine.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Private hysteroscopy FAQs
Your consultant will explain the reasons for your hysteroscopy and give you clear, personalised advice on how to prepare. This could include:
- Stopping certain medications, such as anticoagulants that prevent blood clotting
- Fasting for a short period beforehand if having a general anaesthetic
- Wearing practical clothing
- Arranging for someone to take you home afterwards
To confirm that a hysteroscopy is suitable for you, we may also perform a pelvic exam and pregnancy test. If it's not, we can discuss alternatives and quickly arrange them through our private network to minimise delays.
A hysteroscopy is typically a quick and safe procedure. It's considered minimally invasive as surgeons can precisely locate and treat abnormalities in your womb, without damaging healthy tissue.
As with any surgery, there are certain risks which your surgical team will explain and take steps to minimise. These include:
As with any surgery, there are certain risks which your surgical team will explain and take steps to minimise. These include:
- Infection
- Heavy bleeding
- Damage to your womb, cervix or other surrounding organs
- Bad reaction to anaesthetic or the fluid used to expand and view your womb
Having a hysteroscopy can be painful, similar to period pain, although everyone's experience is different. The length of the procedure and your personal condition may impact how you feel. For example, if you've had painful periods or vaginal examinations in the past.
We'll discuss what to expect and pain relief options ahead of the day to help put you at ease. This could include:
- Ibuprofen or paracetamol taken around an hour beforehand
- General anaesthetic to put you to sleep
- Local or regional anaesthetic to numb only part of your body
- A sedative injection to help you relax
It's normal to feel faint or nauseous for a short while during hysteroscopy surgery or afterwards. Rest assured, you'll be monitored by our expert surgical team, who will do everything to help you feel comfortable.
You can also discuss further pain relief options during the procedure if you find it to be too much. You may experience some pain after a hysteroscopy, similar to period pain. Standard painkillers and rest should help ease this within a few days.
Don't worry if your period is due around the date of your procedure or if it's unpredictable. It's usually still possible to have a hysteroscopy.
We may need to make an alternative plan if you're bleeding heavily on the day, as this can affect visibility within your womb. This is rare, and we'll find the earliest possible date that works for you.
If a hysteroscopy isn’t right for you, your consultant will explain why and talk through alternatives such as an ultrasound or an MRI scan. We arrange these quickly through our private network, so your care continues without delay.
A hysteroscopy usually takes 10 to 30 minutes, depending on whether treatment is carried out at the same time. Your consultant will guide you through the process on the day, so you feel confident and prepared.
After your hysteroscopy, we advise avoiding tampons, swimming and sexual intercourse for a short time to reduce infection risk. Your consultant will give clear advice on when it’s safe for you to resume these activities.
A hysteroscopy will not harm your fertility. In many cases, it improves your chances by treating issues such as polyps or fibroids. Your consultant will explain what your results mean and support you with the next steps.
Most people feel ready to return to work the following day, especially after a diagnostic hysteroscopy. If you’ve had treatment, we recommend resting a little longer. Your consultant will guide you on the best plan for you.
Yes. By identifying and treating conditions inside the womb, a hysteroscopy can often improve your chances of a healthy pregnancy. Your consultant will discuss what the findings mean and the treatment options available to support your goals.
You can usually return to normal activities within a few days. Some mild cramps or light bleeding are common and should settle with rest and pain relief. If symptoms persist or worsen, we’ll be here to provide support quickly.
Our gynaecology patient stories
Alene's story
In the run up to Fibroid Awareness Month Alene shares her experience of being diagnosed with uterine fibroids and how she approached finding specialist treatment for her condition.
Antonia’s chronic endometriosis
Antonia was diagnosed with endometriosis in 1994, at the age of 24, after she had been experiencing chronic pelvic pain and heavy periods.
Nicola’s story: An unexpected diagnosis
“Excellent consultant, very knowledgeable and kind. I felt very informed. The anaesthetist was lovely and very approachable. Leandri, the private nurse, was fantastic and made me feel very supported. I had a laparoscopy and hysteroscopy, and I couldn’t recommend this team enough. Thank you for looking after me!”
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