What is Hysteroscopy?
Hysteroscopy involves passing a hysteroscope through the vagina and cervix into the uterus, allowing your gynaecologist to view the uterine lining on a screen and, if needed, take a biopsy or remove abnormal tissue at the same time. It is commonly recommended to investigate abnormal bleeding, recurrent miscarriage or infertility, or to treat conditions such as polyps and fibroids.
A diagnostic hysteroscopy is usually carried out under local anaesthetic and takes around 5 to 10 minutes, while a therapeutic hysteroscopy, where tissue is removed, is done under sedation and takes around 30 minutes. Conveniently located in St John’s Wood (NW8), we offer this procedure to patients across London with a focus on safety and compassionate care.
Who is Hysteroscopy suitable for?
Abnormal uterine bleeding, including heavy periods or bleeding between periods
- Recurrent miscarriage or infertility, where a structural cause such as adhesions (Asherman’s syndrome) is suspected
- Uterine polyps or fibroids causing abnormal bleeding or affecting fertility
- Pelvic pain of an unclear cause
- Postmenopausal bleeding, to rule out more serious conditions such as uterine cancer
- A displaced contraceptive IUD, or retained placental tissue after birth
Your gynaecologist will take a detailed history and often an ultrasound scan before recommending whether hysteroscopy is the right next step for you.
Consultants in London who perform Hysteroscopy
How Much Does A Private Hysteroscopy Cost?
from £2,750*
The cost of a private Hysteroscopy starts from £2,750* at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital.
*The price shown is an estimated guide to the hospital charges associated with your treatment from admission to discharge. Your final cost may vary depending on your individual clinical needs, the procedure performed, any additional treatments required, the type of implant/prosthesis used (where applicable), and the length of stay. This guide price excludes consultation fees, diagnostic tests, and professional fees charged separately by your surgeon, anaesthetist, and any other specialists involved in your care.
How to pay for your treatment
If you’re… paying for yourself
Did you know you don’t need private medical insurance to come to St John & St Elizabeth Hospital? As a self-pay patient, you can access safe, outstanding quality health care at times to suit you.
For scans and tests, as well as to see most consultants, you’ll still need to be referred by a medical professional like your GP, but as a self-pay patient, the process is more straightforward. You won’t need authorisation from an insurance provider, and you’ll have greater choice of consultant and appointment times.
If you’re… insured
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is approved by all major medical insurance companies. If you have a personal private health insurance policy, or your company provide it for you, you can use it to pay for your care from your initial consultation through to treatment, surgery and aftercare such as physiotherapy. Not all private health insurance plans cover the same things. It’s very important to check exactly what you are covered for with your insurance provider.
Frequently Asked Questions about Hysteroscopy
Your gynaecologist will take a detailed history and ask about your symptoms, followed by a physical examination and often an ultrasound scan. If a hysteroscopy is recommended, you’ll usually have blood tests and a pregnancy test beforehand, and may be asked to use contraception in the meantime, as the procedure can’t go ahead if you’re pregnant.
If you’re having a diagnostic hysteroscopy under local anaesthetic, you can eat and drink as normal, and should take any recommended pain relief around an hour beforehand. If you’re having a therapeutic hysteroscopy under sedation, you’ll need to stop eating 6 hours before and stop drinking 2 hours before. Wear loose, comfortable clothing and bring anything you might need during your stay, such as your phone, charger and any regular medication.
You’ll lie on a couch with your feet in stirrups while the hysteroscope is passed through the cervix into the uterus, with a sterile saline solution used to help your gynaecologist see the lining clearly on a screen. A diagnostic hysteroscopy usually takes 5 to 10 minutes under local anaesthetic; a therapeutic hysteroscopy, where polyps or fibroids are removed, takes around 30 minutes under sedation.
Most women experience some light cramping during a diagnostic hysteroscopy, particularly if the cervix is low, but significant pain is uncommon. A therapeutic hysteroscopy is carried out under sedation, so you won’t be aware of the procedure itself.
You’ll recover in a private room and, after local anaesthetic, can usually leave once you feel ready and are able to drive yourself home. If you had sedation, you’ll need someone to take you home and shouldn’t drive for 24 hours. Cramping and spotting for up to a week or so afterwards is common, and most women return to work the next day, though a little longer if you had treatment such as fibroid removal.
If a biopsy was taken, results usually take around a week, and a follow-up appointment will be arranged to discuss these with you, either in person or over the phone.
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is located in St John’s Wood (NW8), easily accessible for patients from Hampstead (NW3), Kilburn (NW6) and across North and Central London.
By Tube: St John’s Wood station (Jubilee Line) is a 5-minute walk to and from St John & St Elizabeth Hospital.
By Bus: Routes 13, 46 and 113 stop near St John’s Wood Underground Station. Routes 139 and 189 stop on Abbey Road.
By Car: Finchley Road and Kilburn High Road provide direct routes from NW3 and NW6.
Medically reviewed by Mr Emeka Okaro - MBBS FRCOG on 2/11/2026