Private Gynaecology Care Statistics: UK 2026

• 74% of HNW women in the UK get reliable gynaecological information from the NHS or established medical sources, 14% social media, and 4% direct from GP or specialists, while 8% struggle to find trustworthy information
• 45% of women have had negative experiences with NHS gynaecological care, 26% have not used the NHS, and 28% had no complaints with the service
• 36% women prefer private gynaecological care due to longer consultation times, 31% due to faster appointment times, and 23% for greater privacy and discretion
• The cost of private gynaecological care is worthwhile for 75% of HNWs, 19% think it should be more affordable, and 6% don’t understand what they’ll be charged for upfront
• Suspected endometriosis or fibroids lead 41% of HNW women to seek private gynaecological support, heavy or prolonged periods prompt 25%, and severe pain and cramps between periods motivate 20%
• 64% of women most value private HPV vaccination and cervical health monitoring, while 36% agree it’s quite valuable
• 39% of women rely on NHS gynaecological cancer screening invitations, 33% supplement with private checks, 14% are behind on checks, and another 14% go private due to speed and access
• 100% of HNW women are not aware that private routine well woman checks are available
• 52% of HNW women rely on recommendations when choosing a private gynaecologist, 26% look for their own specialist, and 21% get GP referrals
• 73% of women don’t expect empathy and a lack of judgment in first private gynaecology appointments, and 27% agree it’s not that important
• 52% of women prefer a straightforward, clinical approach to gynaecological care, and 48% have never thought about the emotional or psychological aspect of care
• Very little preparation is done by 59% of HNW women before a private gynaecology appointment, 11% write down their symptoms, and 5% do research in advance
• Feeling heard and not rushed during private gynaecology consultations is essential for 64% of HNW women, while 35% want to ask questions without judgment
• 50% of HNW women find discussing sexual health with a private gynaecologist difficult, and 50% tend to avoid these discussions
• 74% of women think the UK healthcare system could offer better gynaecological education, but 24% feel it does a good job
• Gynaecological diagnostic tests are well explained and straightforward for 25% of HNWs, 50% find them difficult or stressful, and 25% are yet to have tests
• 89% of women would prioritise cancer screenings if they felt less intimidating, and a clearer understanding of what screenings are needed and when would motivate 11%
• 32% of women have had gynaecological surgery with a private provider, 34% need surgery and are considering options, and surgery is not relevant to 34%’s care
• 49% of women have sought a second opinion on a gynaecological matter from a private specialist, and 51% have done so through a different NHS consultant
• 33% of HNW women in the UK are approaching or navigating perimenopause, 42% are not nearing this life stage, 2% are exploring contraception, and 2% are actively trying to conceive
• 52% of women are informed about their options for managing menopause privately, 6% would welcome a clear resource, and 43% are not currently in this life stage
• 40% of HNW women in the UK work in healthcare or life sciences, 36% in technology and media, 22% are entrepreneurs, and 1% work in education or the public sector
• 28% of HNW women in the UK live in London, 25% in Manchester, 17% in Birmingham, 16% in Liverpool, and 15% in Glasgow
• Growing demand for personalised women’s healthcare
• About the data

74% of HNW women in the UK get reliable gynaecological information from the NHS or established medical sources, 14% social media, and 4% direct from GP or specialists, while 8% struggle to find trustworthy information

Medical sources provide the bulk of information:

The NHS’s website is an excellent resource for health information, and it’s also the top source our audience relies on for gynaecological health information. 74% agree that the NHS and other established medical sources are the best option, which dwarfs the 14% who rely on social media, forums or peer committees and the 4% who rely on their GP or specialist directly.

However, despite the availability of trusted resources like the NHS and other medical sources, 8% struggle to find information they fully trust, suggesting there’s still a need for clearer, more accessible, and more personalised communication around gynaecological health concerns.

45% of women have had negative experiences with NHS gynaecological care, 26% have not used the NHS, and 28% had no complaints with the service

Poor NHS experiences are common:

In 2025, public satisfaction with the NHS reached an all-time low, and this largely aligns with our audience’s experience of the gynaecological care they received.

28% had a poor experience and felt their concerns were not taken seriously, 9% were frustrated by the long waits that made it difficult to access care, and 8% had mixed feelings as some aspects were good and others fell short.

Just over a quarter (26%) had not used these services, but almost the same number (28%) had very positive experiences and reported no complaints. This correlates with the one in five people who said they are “very” or “quite” satisfied with the NHS, proving that while there is some satisfaction, it’s woefully low.

36% women prefer private gynaecological care due to longer consultation times, 31% due to faster appointment times, and 23% for greater privacy and discretion

Private care trumps NHS for longer appointments:

Private gynaecological care is the preferred option for 18% of HNW women in the UK, as it allows them to spend more time with their doctor during consultations. Another 18% cite this as a strong reason for opting for private over NHS, while only 2% say it’s not a reason for their choice.

The NHS is also notorious for long wait times, with only 57% of women being seen within the Government’s 18-week standard. Understandably, then, 15% of our audience cite faster access to appointments as their reason for going private, and it’s a minor reason for 16%, with only 2% saying it’s not a deciding factor.

Greater privacy and discretion is the main reason for 4%, a strong reason for 15%, and a minor reason for 4%, while a wider range of diagnostic tools and treatments sways 2% of women towards private and access to more specialist expertise 1%.

Overall, these opinions reveal that the main motivators are time, which is more accessible to those who can afford it.

The cost of private gynaecological care is worthwhile for 75% of HNWs, 19% think it should be more affordable, and 6% don’t understand what they’ll be charged for upfront

Costs are largely considered fair:

With women across the UK electing to pay up to £11,154 for a hysterectomy in private hospitals because of delays in NHS gynaecological care, these costs are often debated.

39% of HNW women in the UK feel these costs are expensive but worth it for accessibility and quality, and 36% agree they are fair given the level of care received. Opinions differ: 19% say it is too expensive and should be more affordable, and 6% find it difficult to understand what they will be charged upfront.

Those who feel it is too expensive or don’t understand the costs initially illustrate that, regardless of income, transparency and perceived value remain essential factors in how private gynaecological care is evaluated.

Suspected endometriosis or fibroids lead 41% of HNW women to seek private gynaecological support, heavy or prolonged periods prompt 25%, and severe pain and cramps between periods motivate 20%

Five menstrual conditions prompt private practice support:

The largest number of high net worth women in our audience agree that a possible reason for seeking private gynaecological support would be suspected endometriosis or fibroids. With endometriosis affecting one in ten women of reproductive age in the UK, the fact that nearly half of our audience cites this as a reason makes sense. Only 2% say this isn’t a strong reason for seeking private support, but they don’t discount it entirely.

Heavy or prolonged periods affecting daily life (which can also be linked to fibroids or endometriosis) are a possible reason for 22% and not a strong reason for 2%, while 2% would definitely seek support for severe pain or cramping during periods, and 18% would possibly do so.

Irregular or absent periods are a possible reason for 3%, and 4% say this wouldn’t be a strong reason, followed by 3% who share the same sentiments about premenstrual symptoms that are difficult to manage.

The weight of these opinions suggests that severe and disruptive menstrual health concerns play a major role in affluent women seeking faster or more specialised private gynaecological care.

64% of women most value private HPV vaccination and cervical health monitoring, while 36% agree it’s quite valuable

One sexual health service is most valued:

The NHS aims to abolish cervical cancer by 2040. It’s therefore encouraging to know that the HPV vaccine stops 90% of cervical cancer cases and that cervical screening saves approximately 5,000 lives a year. These two sexual health services are also the ones that our audience of women most value having access to privately.

64% consider these services the most valuable, and 36% agree they are quite valuable, proving that there’s a great demand for them. This is a positive sign as it shows a growing trend towards observing the importance of preventative care and early intervention.

39% of women rely on NHS gynaecological cancer screening invitations, 33% supplement with private checks, 14% are behind on checks, and another 14% go private due to speed and access

NHS reminders are crucial to management:

Gynaecological cancer screening is crucial to long-term reproductive health, so it’s concerning to see that not everyone is managing their checks. 39% of women rely entirely on NHS screening invitations, which are sent by text or via the app, 14% admit they have fallen behind and want to catch up, and 1% are unsure of what screenings they should be having.

On the positive side, 33% supplement NHS screening with private checks and 14% manage all their screening privately for faster and more thorough results. This points to the benefits of going private as screening can be done on your schedule and far more regularly if desired.

100% of HNW women are not aware that private routine well woman checks are available

Awareness levels of private options are low:

Depending on your age, annual gynaecological check-ups are recommended, with more frequent visits often advised if you have underlying health concerns, symptoms, or a family history of reproductive conditions. In the UK, it seems that the belief is that these checks must be performed by the NHS, as 100% of our audience did not know that routine well-woman checks were available privately.

This shows there’s both a marketing and a knowledge gap, as these services are readily available.

52% of HNW women rely on recommendations when choosing a private gynaecologist, 26% look for their own specialist, and 21% get GP referrals

Decisions are driven by others’ input:

The avenues HNW women in the UK explore when deciding which private gynaecologist to book with may differ somewhat, but there’s still a clear trend. Other people’s opinions really matter.

26% rely on online research and review, and another 26% make a decision based on personal recommendations from someone they trust. This aligns with studies that show 84% of potential patients check reviews before selecting a provider, proving just how much weight other people’s experiences carry.

Another 26% of our audience looks for a specialist in their specific condition. While this search is not defined by where they look, it’s also likely that reviews and recommendations play a role.

The remaining minority (21%) makes their choice by GP referral to a named consultant, which also, theoretically, falls into the category of someone else’s opinion – only in this case, from a medical perspective, not through lived experience.

73% of women don’t expect empathy and a lack of judgment in first private gynaecology appointments, and 27% agree it’s not that important

Expectations during first appointments don’t focus on emotion:

To be treated with empathy and without judgement is something that every woman deserves, not just at their first appointment, but at every gynaecology appointment. Yet, 27% of HNW women in the UK feel that this is not that important, and 73% feel it is not necessary.

However, this may indicate that, for many affluent women, compassionate, respectful treatment is viewed as a baseline expectation rather than something that needs to be stated.

52% of women prefer a straightforward, clinical approach to gynaecological care, and 48% have never thought about the emotional or psychological aspect of care

Some aspects of care are not greatly considered:

We’ll see further on how feeling heard and asking questions without judgement are weighted in importance. But when it comes to the emotional and psychological aspect of gynaecological care, our audience doesn’t put too much emphasis on it.

52% are not particularly concerned about this aspect of care and prefer a straightforward, clinical approach, while 48% have not even thought about this aspect before. This points to an audience that prioritises efficiency, professionalism, and clinical expertise first, even if emotional reassurance and open communication still play an important supporting role in the overall patient experience.

Very little preparation is done by 59% of HNW women before a private gynaecology appointment, 11% write down their symptoms, and 5% do research in advance

Over half of women rely on specialists to guide them:

While 24% of high net worth women have not yet attended a private gynaecology appointment and therefore have no view on preparation beforehand, over half (54%) say they do very little preparation, rather relying on the specialist to guide them.

Those who do prepare by writing down questions to bring with them number 11%, and those who research their symptoms and possible conditions in advance 5%. This illustrates that largely, trust is placed in the provider to offer the necessary direction.

Feeling heard and not rushed during private gynaecology consultations is essential for 64% of HNW women, while 35% want to ask questions without judgement

Opinions on what matters most are clear:

We already know that more than a third of HNW women in the UK choose private gynaecological care over the NHS, as they want to spend longer with a doctor during their appointment. It stands to reason, then, that feeling heard and not rushed during an appointment is absolutely essential for 31% and very important for 33%.

The ability to ask questions without judgement is also very important for 35%, further reinforcing the expectation that this is an expected standard of care in private practice.

50% of HNW women find discussing sexual health with a private gynaecologist difficult, and 50% tend to avoid these discussions

General discomfort in discussion is felt by all:

We saw that the ability to ask questions without judgement is very important for 35%, reinforcing how highly women value emotional reassurance, sensitivity, and open communication when discussing intimate health concerns.

Yet, although private gynaecologists are highly trained and experienced in this regard, it doesn’t always make it easier for the patient, as our statistics reveal.50% of high net worth women in the UK find discussing sexual health concerns somewhat uncomfortable and find it difficult, despite knowing it is important, while the other 50% feel uncomfortable and tend to avoid these conversations.

74% of women think the UK healthcare system could offer better gynaecological education, but 24% feel it does a good job

Gynaecological education is lacking in the public sector:

While the Women’s Health Strategy for England aims to improve women’s health outcomes and has a specific focus on menopause, heavy menstrual bleeding, and urogynaecology, our audience agrees that the UK healthcare system’s gynaecological education is lacking overall.

32% feel it does a very poor job offering lifetime advice and have had to seek out most of their own knowledge, followed by 12% who say it is poor, as information tends to be reactive rather than proactive.

30% have no basis to compare it to, so are unsure how it measures up, while the minority (12% each) feel that there is good information available but gaps remain, and that they have always felt informed and supported. It’s evident that the UK healthcare system is not excelling in this area, especially considering how women’s gynaecological needs change over the years.

Gynaecological diagnostic tests are well explained and straightforward for 25% of HNWs, 50% find them difficult or stressful, and 25% are yet to have tests

Opinions on experiences with tests are divided:

There’s a perfect 4-way 25% split in opinions about experiences with gynaecological diagnostic tests. 25% of HNW women found their tests to be well explained and straightforward, and 25% have not yet had any gynaecological diagnostic tests, so they have no experience in this area.

25% found these tests physically uncomfortable and emotionally difficult, which is unfortunate but may not reflect the provider, as even with the best care, the nature of the tests can elicit these responses. The remaining 25% found these tests stressful due to a lack of information beforehand, which points to an opportunity for providers to provide more educational resources.

89% of women would prioritise cancer screenings if they felt less intimidating, and a clearer understanding of what screenings are needed and when would motivate 11%

Reassurance is a powerful motivator:

There are approximately 3,299 new cases of cervical cancer each year. However, with early screening, 99.8% are preventable, which is why gynaecological screening is so important. Unfortunately, many women find them scary, which is indicated by the 89% of women in our audience who say that reassurance that screenings are straightforward and not to be feared would help them to be more proactive about going for them.

A clearer understanding of what screenings are available and when they’re needed would also encourage a small portion of our audience to be more proactive about them. 5% agree this would be a major motivator, and 6% say it would help.

These statistics point to a need for clearer education, reassurance, and communication around gynaecological health, particularly among women who may delay screenings due to uncertainty or anxiety rather than a lack of access.

32% of women have had gynaecological surgery with a private provider, 34% need surgery and are considering options, and surgery is not relevant to 34%’s care

Private provider surgery is commonplace:

With 32% of high net worth women in the UK having had private gynaecological surgery, it’s obvious that this is a common occurrence, especially when financial barriers are not in place.

Another 34% have been advised they may need surgery and are weighing up their options, while a total of 34% have found that surgery is not relevant to their care to some degree or another. This is divided into 8% to whom it absolutely applies, 21% for whom it’s not really the case, and 5% for whom it doesn’t apply at all.

49% of women have sought a second opinion on a gynaecological matter from a private specialist, and 51% have done so through a different NHS consultant

Second opinions are commonplace:

Seeking a second opinion about a gynaecological diagnosis or treatment plan is clearly the norm, with our entire audience of HNW women in the UK having done so. 51% have sought out a second opinion through a different NHS consultant, while 49% have done so through a private specialist.

While this does not specify whether private advice was sought post-NHS consultation, dissatisfaction around the NHS would indicate this is more than likely.

33% of HNW women in the UK are approaching or navigating perimenopause, 42% are not nearing this life stage, 2% are exploring contraception, and 2% are actively trying to conceive

Reproductive life stages differ:

The NHS estimates that around a third (13 million) of the female population is currently perimenopausal or menopausal. While many of the women in the UK in our audience fall into this category, there are still quite a high number who do not.

5% are definitely approaching or navigating perimenopause, and 28% are somewhat doing so. However, 42% are not really in this reproductive stage, and 20% are definitely not.

Just 2% are exploring contraceptive options, and 2% confirm they’re not actively trying to conceive, while there are no opinions from anyone planning for future fertility or egg freezing.

It’s evident that while perimenopause and menopause are highly relevant life stages for a significant portion of affluent women, reproductive health priorities within our audience are far from universal, with many either outside these stages or not currently focused on fertility or contraception-related decisions.

52% of women are informed about their options for managing menopause privately, 6% would welcome a clear resource, and 43% are not currently in this life stage

Information about managing menopause is forthcoming:

Although 43% of women in the UK say that menopause is not currently relevant to their situation, the remaining 47% have clear opinions on how informed they feel about their options for managing this life stage privately in the UK.

18% are fairly informed but would like more guidance, 17% have some awareness but are confused, and 6% know very little and would welcome a clear resource. The remaining 17% are very well informed and know their options, possibly because they are nearing the age of 50, around when the change takes place.

40% of HNW women in the UK work in healthcare or life sciences, 36% in technology and media, 22% are entrepreneurs, and 1% work in education or the public sector

Three industries dominate amongst HNW women:

With 40% of our audience of high net worth women in the UK working in the healthcare or life sciences industry, one thing is clear. Those in this sector have a greater understanding than most of the value of going private.

Another 36% work in technology or media, 22% are entrepreneurs or own a business, and just 2% are in the public sector or education.

This distribution reveals that high net worth women who pursue private gynaecological care are largely concentrated in high-income, fast-paced, and knowledge-driven sectors where convenience, specialist access, and personalised healthcare are especially valued.

28% of HNW women in the UK live in London, 25% in Manchester, 17% in Birmingham, 16% in Liverpool, and 15% in Glasgow

The capital is home to the most HNWs:

Beaten only by Singapore, London is the second most appealing global city for HNWs, and it’s also where 28% of our audience resides. Manchester is a close second with 25%, followed by Birmingham (17%) and Liverpool (16%). Glasgow is last but only by 1% (15%), creating a relatively even distribution pattern beyond the capital.

Overall, these findings illustrate how private gynaecological care is increasingly viewed among high net worth women in the UK: not as a luxury, but as an essential part of proactive, personalised healthcare. Women are seeking greater access to specialist expertise, longer consultations, faster appointments, preventative screening, and continuity of care that fits around their lifestyles and health priorities.

The data also emphasises the growing importance of feeling heard, having access to trusted information, and being able to navigate sensitive health concerns in a professional and supportive environment. While many women still rely on NHS services for parts of their care, private gynaecology is increasingly valued for the additional time, flexibility, discretion, and reassurance it can provide.

From preventative screening and menopause support to diagnostic testing and specialist consultations, private gynaecological care is becoming an important route for women who want greater control over their health journey, earlier intervention, and care tailored to their individual needs at every life stage.

Sourced using Artios from an independent sample of 2,264,533 opinions of High Net Worths in the UK across X, Quora, Reddit, Bluesky, TikTok, and Threads. Responses are collected within a 95% confidence interval and 5% margin of error. Results are derived from what people describe online and from opinions expressed, not from actual questions answered by people in the sample.