An outpatient diagnostic hysteroscopy typically costs around £1,200–£2,200, while the same procedure under sedation or general anaesthetic as a day case usually runs £2,500–£4,000 because it requires theatre time and an anaesthetist. Adding polyp or fibroid removal generally pushes the total to £2,500–£4,500. A specialist consultation beforehand is £200–£250 and a pelvic ultrasound £150–£350. Hysteroscopy pricing varies more than most procedures precisely because the outpatient and general anaesthetic routes differ so much, so get a written quote.

For many people yes, and you deserve an honest answer rather than reassurance. Research indicates outpatient hysteroscopy causes pain in around 85% of patients, with roughly 15–35% experiencing severe pain. NHS patient information commonly describes typical pain as around 5 out of 10, similar to a bad period, while noting that about 30% report more than 7 out of 10. Crucially, it is very hard to predict in advance who will find it painful, which is why the choice of setting and anaesthesia matters so much.

Yes. RCOG guidance is explicit that you can choose to have your hysteroscopy under general or regional anaesthetic, or with sedation, performed in an operating theatre as a day case, rather than as an outpatient procedure. This is a legitimate choice, not being difficult. It’s particularly worth considering if you find vaginal examinations painful, have had a distressing gynaecological procedure before, or simply know you would rather be asleep. Raise it before your appointment is booked, since the setting determines the pathway.

Yes, at any point, and this is the single most important thing to know. RCOG patient guidance states plainly that you do not have to continue if it is too painful and that your hysteroscopy can be stopped at any time — you simply tell the healthcare professional you want it to stop. You do not need to justify the decision or endure it. Knowing this before you go in changes the experience for many people, and it can be rescheduled under anaesthetic instead.

It’s primarily used to investigate abnormal uterine bleeding — heavy periods, bleeding between periods, and postmenopausal bleeding, which always needs investigating. It’s also used to remove polyps seen on a scan, remove small fibroids inside the womb cavity, take an endometrial biopsy, retrieve a coil with missing threads, perform endometrial ablation, and as part of investigating fertility problems or recurrent miscarriage. A thin camera is passed into the womb, with saline used to improve the view.

A diagnostic outpatient hysteroscopy usually takes around five to ten minutes, longer if a polyp or fibroid is removed at the same time. After an outpatient procedure most people can go home straight away, though cramping similar to period pain and light bleeding or spotting for a few days is normal. Under general anaesthetic you’ll need someone to take you home and should avoid driving. Taking pain relief around an hour beforehand is generally recommended.

Usually yes for a new condition, provided you have a referral and pre-authorisation. A diagnostic hysteroscopy generally draws on your outpatient allowance, while one performed under general anaesthetic as a day case typically falls under day-patient benefits — worth clarifying, since it affects how much of your allowance is consumed. If you already had abnormal bleeding before your policy started, that’s a pre-existing condition and will be excluded regardless of when you’re diagnosed.

No — a hysteroscopy does not harm fertility, and it’s frequently used as part of investigating fertility problems and recurrent miscarriage rather than being a risk to them. Removing polyps or fibroids from inside the womb cavity can in some cases improve the chance of conceiving. If you’re having the procedure as part of fertility investigation, it’s worth knowing that fertility treatment itself is excluded from virtually all standard UK health insurance policies even when the investigation is covered.