What is it?

A cystoscopy is an investigation performed by urologists using a small, flexible tube. This scope is a thin tube with a bright light at the end. It allows your doctor to look inside the urethra (tube that takes urine from your bladder to the outside of your body) and bladder. The view may be seen on a television screen. The cystoscope is passed into the bladder via your urethra.

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Do I need it?

Your doctor has advised you to have this procedure for one or more of the following reasons:

a. Frequent urinary tract infections
b. Blood in your urine
c. Unusual cells found in your urine sample
d. Persistent pain when you pass urine
e. Incontinence
f. Slow urine flow or difficulty in passing urine (which may be due to prostate enlargement, stricture or narrowing of the urinary tract)
g. Unusual growth, polyp, tumor, or cancer

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How do I prepare?

No special preparation is needed for this procedure. You can have a normal meal on the day of the appointment and continue to take your usual medications.

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What to expect

This procedure will last around 5-10 minutes. In most cases, you will lie on your back with your knees raised and apart.

Your urethra (opening for the urinary tract) and its surrounding area will be cleaned and covered with a towel. Anesthetic jelly will be applied to your urethra and you may feel a burning sensation during introduction of the cystoscope.

The cystoscope will be inserted into your urinary passage and sterile saline will pass through the cystoscope into your bladder, which will slowly fill. This will allow your doctor to examine your urethra and bladder. You may feel some discomfort and the urge to urinate.

You may feel a quick pinch if your doctor takes a biopsy of the tissue for laboratory analysis.

After the procedure, you may have temporary symptoms of discomfort, burning sensation during urination or notice some blood in the urine. These symptoms normally resolve in a few days.

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Next actions

Your doctor will discuss and explain the findings of the procedure to you. You will also be given an appointment for follow-up at the clinic. If you have been given a prescription, you should then go to the pharmacy to collect your medication.

You should drink 2-3 litres of fluid per day to keep the urine clear and reduce discomfort. Reduce your intake of tea, coffee or cola drinks as these contain caffeine that may cause increased bladder irritation. You should also avoid alcohol for the next 2 days after your procedure as alcohol can dilate the blood vessels and result in further bleeding.

If you experience significant abdominal pain not relieved by medication, bleeding, fever or reduced urine output, please seek treatment at the Emergency Department TTSH.

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