Cystoscopy

A cystoscopy is carried out to find why you are having symptoms like:

• blood in your wee
• difficulty weeing
• persistent pain when you wee
• a lot of urine infections one after the other
• unusual cells found in your urine sample
• leaking week (urinary incontinence).

The cystoscope can also be used to take a sample of tissue (biopsy) from your bladder if needed.

You will usually have a cystoscopy as day procedure in a hospital and you will be awake during the procedure.

• A local anaesthetic jelly is placed into the tube leading to your bladder (urethra).
• A special flexible telescope called a cystoscope is passed through your urethra to your bladder.
• The cystoscope is removed when the examination is finished.

The procedure often only takes 5 to 10 minutes, but it may take longer if you need a biopsy.

• You can eat and drink normally before the cystoscopy.
• You can go home the same day, and you can drive yourself home.
• You should drink extra fluids in the first few hours after the procedure.

Cystoscopy is usually very safe. You may feel some stinging or burning when you wee for the first day or so after the cystoscopy. You may have a little blood in your wee the first time you wee after the procedure.

There is a small risk of a urine infection, which can:

• cause pain when you wee
• make you wee more often
• make you feel unwell with a fever.

Very rarely, the procedure can damage your bladder.

You should see your healthcare provider after the procedure if:

• you have bad stomach pains
• keep weeing blood
• if you think you may have a urine infection.