Cost of Private hysteroscopy in the UK

I had a private gynaecologist consultation this week to discuss a recent NHS TV ultrasound which showed a womb thickness of 5.3mm. I am post menopausal and have not been taking HRT and have had no spotting or vaginal bleeding. My last TV ultrasound was 2.5 years ago and my womb thickness then was 3mm. I was told that the NHS guidelines are that if the womb thickness is less than 10mm and there has been no vaginal bleeding a hysterectomy would not be carried out. Has anyone else been told anything similar?. I was told I could pay for a hysteroscopy privately and was quoted £3000. I have telephoned all the private healthcare companies I know of and been quoted a similar figure. Has anyone had this procedure done privately at a reasonable price? I understand that statistically it is not likely to be cancer at this stage but if the thickness is due to polyps I would prefer for these to be removed. 

  • I found this which might help alleviate some of your fears

    What is the normal endometrial thickness postmenopausal without bleeding?

    Conclusions: In a postmenopausal woman without vaginal bleeding, if the endometrium measures > 11 mm a biopsy should be considered as the risk of cancer is 6.7%, whereas if

    the endometrium measures < or = 11 mm a biopsy is not needed as the risk of cancer is

    extremely low.

    nih.gov

    pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov > ...

    How thick is too thick? When endometrial thickness should

    As your lining is less than 11mm with no postmenopausal bleeding the chance of cancer seems to be extremely low.  

    I have found the NHS are very well organised with postmenopausal bleeding and everything falls into place, they take it very seriously.  That you’ve had no bleeding they obviously don’t think it should be anything too serious x

  • Thanks for this information. I know this is reassuring but would feel happier if they coiled tell me why the thickness of my womb has increased in the last 2.5 years. I think for my own peace of mind I will probably have to pay for the hysteroscopy to be performed as a private patient. Hope everything is good with you and thanks for your support. 

  • 5.3mm isn’t very thick in the grand scheme of things….could you not ask your GP to arrange a hysteroscopy on the NHS but on the routine list rather than the urgent one.  You didn’t say why you had the ultrasound in the first place, was there an underlying condition or something?  

    My lining was 7.6mm back in 2019 and 8.5 in January 2023 but my investigations both times were due to postmenopausal bleeding, that is usually the trigger for further investigations..I had poly ps and then polyps again, my histology after hysterectomy then said there was also a fibroid which I knew nothing about ‍♀️

    Your lining could be slightly thicker due to hyperplasia but you won’t know without a biopsy being done..I had atypical hyperplasia (pre cancerous cells) I one of my polyps, I was given a mirena coil between diagnosis and my hysterectomy…upon biopsy after hysterectomy there was no hyperplasia in my womb, now that could be due to the mirena coil as it’s known to tackle hyperplasia very successfully, or it could be that it was contained due in the one polyp I had removed (which is what my consultant thinks as I had 3 womb lining biopsies taken between January and June this year and they were all normal..perhaps you could discuss possible hyperplasia with your GP and ask if you can be referred to see someone on the NHS?

  • Thanks so much for your detailed response. I went to the GP because my stomach had become much larger and I was getting bloating and indigestion problems. I also had frequent and urgent urination and my bladder wasn’t emptying fully. I am waiting for an urology appointment to investigate the bladder problem but my GP thought that because there had been a slight increase in my CA125 reading, albeit still well within the normal range my ovaries and uterus should be checked. I think it is unlikely f that I will get a hysteroscopy via the NHS but I will ask. Ii just wish the price of a private procedure wasn’t so expensive. 

  • Sometimes I think you have to make a nuisance of yourself in order to get what you want, even a biopsy of womb lining (which can be done without hysteroscopy) might give you some piece of mind if it comes back normal….

    The problem is our minds start playing games with us and we are convinced something is very wrong, when the majority of the time everything is fine.

    Id ask to be referred, even if it’s not on the urgent pathway, seeing a gynae consultant rather than a GP will at least mean you are seeing someone with experience in that particular field…worth a try x

  • Thanks for your encouraging and supportive message. I have been doing a bit of research myself since I posted my original message and think I may be on to something. The gynaecologist I saw privately this week couldn’t explain why my uterus lining would nearly double in the past 2.5 years. I didn’t mention to him that I have gallbladder stones or polyps because the clinic letter notifying me of this  arrived after the appointment. Apparently if you have gallbladder disease this can significantly increase your risk of uterine cancer. This has made me more determined than ever to take preventive action even if the NHS route is not an option. 

  • I had a hysteroscopy done privately it was £2900 so similar price you have been quoted you do have more options for pain relief I had a spinal block could have had ga also.Nhs only recommend taking paracetamol