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What is a cystoscopy?
A cystoscopy is a medical procedure where an instrument called a cystoscope is used to look inside your bladder. A cystoscope is a thin tube with a light and a small camera at the end.
Cystoscopy can help with diagnosing and treating conditions that affect the bladder and urinary system.
There are 2 types of cystoscopy:
- flexible cystoscopy (where a thin, bendy cystoscope is used, often in a clinic)
- rigid cystoscopy (where a cystoscope that does not bend is used in a hospital procedure)
When is a cystoscopy needed?
A cystoscopy is often recommended for people who have blood in their urine. It may also be done if you have problems urinating (doing a wee), pain or recurrent bladder infections.
Cystoscopy can be used to find and treat bladder cancer and other conditions.
If your doctor thinks you need to have a cystoscopy, they will refer you to a specialist called a urologist.
How to prepare for a cystoscopy
Your preparation for a cystoscopy depends on the type of cystoscopy and the anaesthetic being used.
Your doctor will talk to you about the need to stop eating and drinking several hours before the procedure if needed.
Ask your doctor about taking your usual medicines. You might need to stop taking some medicines such as aspirin for a few days before the procedure. But don’t stop any medicines without asking your doctor first.
What happens during the procedure?
A cystoscopy can be done in a clinic (flexible cystoscopy) or in a hospital as a day procedure (rigid cystoscopy).
A cystoscopy can be uncomfortable, but it’s usually not painful.
Flexible cystoscopy
With a flexible cystoscopy, you will have a local anaesthetic gel or spray. This is to numb the area where the cystoscope is put in.
The flexible cystoscope is put into your urethra (the tube that carries urine out of your body). The cystoscope is then gently guided into your bladder.
Your doctor will be able to see images from inside your bladder on a monitor. The procedure should only take a few minutes.
Rigid cystoscopy
For a rigid cystoscopy, you will have a general anaesthetic or a spinal anaesthetic. The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes.
During the procedure, the cystoscope is put into your urethra and then gently guided into your bladder. Your bladder is partly filled with sterile fluid so that your doctor can easily see your whole bladder lining.
Your doctor may take biopsies (tissue samples) from your bladder wall. It is also possible to remove small tumours or treat other problems during the procedure.
Your bladder will be emptied at the end of the procedure.
Recovering from a cystoscopy
For a few days after a flexible cystoscopy, you may see blood in your urine. You may also feel mild discomfort when passing urine (doing a wee).
For a few hours after a rigid cystoscopy, you may:
- need to pass urine often
- feel an urgent need to pass urine
- have some difficulty controlling your bladder (incontinence)
These symptoms will usually settle quickly. You may also have some discomfort or blood in your urine for a few days after the procedure.
Drinking plenty of fluids after the procedure can help with these symptoms and help prevent infection.
Possible risks or complications from cystoscopy
Serious complications after a cystoscopy are rare. There is a small risk of:
- developing a urinary tract infection
- injury to your bladder or urethra
- complications from the anaesthetic
Some people need a urinary catheter (tube in the bladder) for a few hours or days after a rigid cystoscopy.
Very rarely, bleeding persists after a cystoscopy. If it does, see your doctor.
Also see your doctor as soon as possible if:
- you develop a fever
- discomfort when passing urine is not improving or getting worse
- you are having trouble passing urine
