
What is a cystoscopy?
A cystoscope is a thin tube with a camera and light on the end. During a cystoscopy, a doctor inserts this tube through your urethra (the tube that carries urine out of your bladder) and into your bladder so they can visualize the inside of your bladder.
What does a cystometry show?
These can be incontinence, difficulty emptying the bladder, overactive bladder, obstructions or frequent infections. Cystometry is used to measure how much urine the bladder can hold. It also measures pressure inside the bladder, and how full it is when you have the urge to go.
What is cystometry with a pressure flow study?
Cystometry, or cystometrogram, with a pressure flow study is part of urodynamic testing (or UDS). These tests measure how well the bladder functions. They help diagnose problems related to urine control. These can be incontinence, difficulty emptying the bladder, overactive bladder, obstructions or frequent infections.
What happens during a bladder cystoscopy?
During the procedure, water is inserted through the cystoscope and into your bladder. Your doctor will ask you a series of questions regarding how you feel when your bladder is filled. When the bladder is full of water, it stretches. This allows your doctor to view the entire bladder wall.
Why do you need a cystoscopy?
What can be passed through a cystoscope?
What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?
What is the name of the procedure that shows a narrowing of the urethra?
How to prevent pain when cystoscope is inserted?
What is the male urinary system?
How to get rid of urethra pain?
See 4 more
About this website

What is a Cysto surgery?
What is cystoscopy? Cystoscopy is a procedure that lets the healthcare provider view the urinary tract, particularly the bladder, the urethra, and the openings to the ureters. Cystoscopy can help find problems with the urinary tract. This may include early signs of cancer, infection, narrowing, blockage, or bleeding.
How painful is a cystoscopy?
Does it hurt? People often worry that a cystoscopy will be painful, but it does not usually hurt. Tell your doctor or nurse if you feel any pain during it. It can be a bit uncomfortable and you may feel like you need to pee during the procedure, but this will only last a few minutes.
What is a cystoscopy looking for?
Cystoscopy is used to diagnose, monitor and treat conditions affecting the bladder and urethra. Your doctor might recommend cystoscopy to: Investigate causes of signs and symptoms. Those signs and symptoms can include blood in the urine, incontinence, overactive bladder and painful urination.
Why would a urologist do a cystoscopy?
During a cystoscopy, a urinary tract specialist (urologist) uses a scope to view the inside of the bladder and urethra. Doctors use cystoscopy to diagnose and treat urinary tract problems. These problems include bladder cancer, bladder control issues, enlarged prostates and urinary tract infections.
How long is recovery after cystoscopy?
After a rigid cystoscopy: rest at home for a day or two – you may need to take a couple of days off work. make sure someone stays with you for the first 24 hours. do not drive or drink alcohol for at least 24 hours.
What should you not do before a cystoscopy?
If you take aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs (such as Motrin, Alleve, Vioxx, Celebrex etc.) or any blood thinners (such as Coumadin or Plavix). You may need to temporarily stop these medications prior to cystoscopy. If you are not sure, review your medications with your doctor or nurse.
Is cystoscopy a surgery?
Cystoscopy is a surgical procedure. This is done to see the inside of the bladder and urethra using a thin, lighted tube.
Can you drive home after a cystoscopy?
While this procedure can provoke anxiety, it is tolerated very well. You will be able to drive home after the office procedure without difficulty.
What can I expect after a cystoscopy?
You may feel discomfort when the cystoscope goes into the urethra and bladder. You'll probably feel a strong need to pee when your bladder gets full. You may feel a slight pinch if the doctor takes a biopsy. After the procedure, your urethra may be sore and it might burn when you pee for a day or two.
Do you need a catheter after a cystoscopy?
Being unable to empty your bladder Contact a GP for advice if you're unable to empty your bladder after a cystoscopy. A thin tube called a catheter may need to be temporarily placed in your bladder to help you pee.
Why do I need a CT scan after a cystoscopy?
The combination of a CT scan and cystoscopy are used to evaluate the entire urinary tract. This is important because approximately 5% of patients with tumors in their bladder may also have tumors in their ureter or kidney.
How embarrassing is a cystoscopy?
Cystoscopy may be an embarrassing procedure for the patient. Exposure and handling of the genitalia must be performed with respect. The patient should remain exposed only as long as is necessary to complete the evaluation.
Do they put you to sleep for a cystoscopy?
A rigid cystoscopy is carried out under general anaesthetic (where you're asleep) or a spinal anaesthetic (which numbs the lower half of your body), so you will not have any pain while it's carried out.
How embarrassing is a cystoscopy?
Cystoscopy may be an embarrassing procedure for the patient. Exposure and handling of the genitalia must be performed with respect. The patient should remain exposed only as long as is necessary to complete the evaluation.
Are you sedated for a cystoscopy?
The doctor will apply numbing medicine (often as a gel) around the opening of the urethra, and possibly inside the urethra as well. You might also be given a sedative through an IV line to help you relax during the test. For a rigid cystoscopy, you might be asleep (under general anesthesia) for the test.
What can I expect after a cystoscopy?
You may feel discomfort when the cystoscope goes into the urethra and bladder. You'll probably feel a strong need to pee when your bladder gets full. You may feel a slight pinch if the doctor takes a biopsy. After the procedure, your urethra may be sore and it might burn when you pee for a day or two.
Cystoscopy: Test, Procedure, What to expect - Cleveland Clinic
A cystoscopy allows doctors to examine the inside of the bladder and urethra. The procedure can diagnose and treat bladder problems.
Cystoscopy Risks, Prep, Procedure & Recovery Time - eMedicineHealth
Cystoscopy is the use of a scope (cystoscope) to examine the bladder and ureters for abnormalities or to assist with surgery. Cystoscopy causes pain and light bleeding for about 24 hours after the procedure. Cystoscopy causes pain and other common symptoms like fever and light bleeding. Home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs can help relieve pain after the procedure.
Cystoscopy (Bladder Scope): Purpose, Procedure, Side Effects, Risks - WebMD
A cystoscopy, also known as a bladder scope, is a medical test used to check for diseases of the bladder and urethra. Learn more about the purpose and risks of this procedure.
What is Cystoscopy? | Cystoscopy Procedure - American Cancer Society
Why do you need a cystoscopy? There are a few reasons you might need a cystoscopy: You are having bladder problems. This test can be used to look for the causes of signs or symptoms in the bladder (such as trouble urinating or blood in the urine), or to look at an abnormal area seen on an imaging test (such as a CT scan).
Why do you need a cystoscopy?
Why it's done. Cystoscopy is used to diagnose, monitor and treat conditions affecting the bladder and urethra. Your doctor might recommend cystoscopy to: Investigate causes of signs and symptoms. Those signs and symptoms can include blood in the urine, incontinence, overactive bladder and painful urination. Cystoscopy can also help determine the ...
What can be passed through a cystoscope?
Treat bladder diseases and conditions. Special tools can be passed through the cystoscope to treat certain conditions. For example, very small bladder tumors might be removed during cystoscopy.
What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?
Investigate causes of signs and symptoms. Those signs and symptoms can include blood in the urine, incontinence, overactive bladder and painful urination. Cystoscopy can also help determine the cause of frequent urinary tract infections.
What is the name of the procedure that shows a narrowing of the urethra?
Your doctor might conduct a second procedure called ureteroscopy (u-ree-tur-OS-kuh-pee) at the same time as your cystoscopy.
How to prevent pain when cystoscope is inserted?
A numbing jelly will be applied to your urethra to help prevent pain when the cystoscope is inserted. After waiting a few minutes for the numbing, your doctor will carefully push the cystoscope into your urethra, using the smallest scope possible.
What is the male urinary system?
Male urinary system. Your urinary system — which includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra — removes waste from your body through urine. Your kidneys, located in the rear portion of your upper abdomen, produce urine by filtering waste and fluid from your blood.
How to get rid of urethra pain?
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Place a warm, damp washcloth on the opening to your urethra to ease pain, repeating as needed. Take a warm bath, unless your doctor asks you to avoid baths.
What is a cystoscope?
What is a cystoscopy? A cystoscope is a thin tube with a camera and light on the end. During a cystoscopy, a doctor inserts this tube through your urethra (the tube that carries urine out of your bladder) and into your bladder so they can visualize the inside of your bladder.
What is the most common condition that a cystoscopy can reveal?
frequent urinary tract infections. an overactive bladder. pelvic pain. A cystoscopy can reveal several conditions, including bladder tumors, stones, or cancer. Your doctor can also use this procedure to diagnose: blockages. enlarged prostate gland. noncancerous growths.
How to stop urethra pain?
Give yourself time to rest. Drink lots of fluids and stay close to the bathroom. Holding a damp, warm washcloth over your ure thra can help relieve any pain. If your doctor gives you permission, take pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).
How to get rid of bladder infection before cystoscopy?
The cystoscopy procedure. Just before the cystoscopy, you need go to the bathroom to empty your bladder. Then, you change into a surgical gown and lie down on your back on a treatment table. Your feet may be positioned in stirrups. The nurse may provide you with antibiotics to help prevent a bladder infection.
How long does it take to get a cystoscopy?
The fluid might give you an uncomfortable feeling of needing to urinate. With local anesthesia, your cystoscopy may take less than five minutes. If you’re sedated or given general anesthesia, the entire procedure may take 15 to 30 minutes.
Why do you need a cystoscopy?
Your doctor might also order the procedure to investigate reasons for: blood in your urine. frequent urinary tract infections. an overactive bladder. pelvic pain.
What to do before a cystoscopy?
You may also need to give a urine sample before the test. If your doctor plans to give you general anesthesia, you’ll feel groggy afterward. That means before the procedure, you’ll need to arrange a ride home.
What is a cystoscopy?
A cystoscopy is a test to check the health of your urethra and bladder. You might also hear it called a cystourethroscopy or, more simply, a bladder scope. It’s an outpatient test, which means you can get it at your doctor’s office, a hospital, or clinic and go home the same day. The doctor inserts a tube into your urethra.
How does a cystoscope work?
The cystoscope has a lens on the end that works like a telescope. It makes it easier for the doctor to see inside your body. They might put a video camera over the lens to project images onto a screen. The doctor fills your bladder. They put water or saline in through the cystoscope.
What Are the Complications of Cystoscopy?
Complications of cystoscopy are rare but can happen. The risks of having a cystoscopy include:
Where is the urethra tube?
The doctor inserts a tube into your urethra. If you’re a man, the opening is at the end of your penis. If you’re a woman, it’s just above your vagina. The test lets your doctor check the complete length of your urethra and the bladder for polyps, narrow areas called strictures, abnormal growths, and other problems.
Is a Cystoscopy Painful?
You may feel discomfort when the cystoscope goes into the urethra and bladder. You’ll probably feel a strong need to pee when your bladder gets full. You may feel a slight pinch if the doctor takes a biopsy.
Why do you need a cystoscopy?
Why it's done. Cystoscopy is used to diagnose, monitor and treat conditions affecting the bladder and urethra. Your doctor might recommend cystoscopy to: Investigate causes of signs and symptoms. Those signs and symptoms can include blood in the urine, incontinence, overactive bladder and painful urination. Cystoscopy can also help determine the ...
What can be passed through a cystoscope?
Treat bladder diseases and conditions. Special tools can be passed through the cystoscope to treat certain conditions. For example, very small bladder tumors might be removed during cystoscopy.
What are the symptoms of a urinary tract infection?
Investigate causes of signs and symptoms. Those signs and symptoms can include blood in the urine, incontinence, overactive bladder and painful urination. Cystoscopy can also help determine the cause of frequent urinary tract infections.
What is the name of the procedure that shows a narrowing of the urethra?
Your doctor might conduct a second procedure called ureteroscopy (u-ree-tur-OS-kuh-pee) at the same time as your cystoscopy.
How to prevent pain when cystoscope is inserted?
A numbing jelly will be applied to your urethra to help prevent pain when the cystoscope is inserted. After waiting a few minutes for the numbing, your doctor will carefully push the cystoscope into your urethra, using the smallest scope possible.
What is the male urinary system?
Male urinary system. Your urinary system — which includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra — removes waste from your body through urine. Your kidneys, located in the rear portion of your upper abdomen, produce urine by filtering waste and fluid from your blood.
How to get rid of urethra pain?
Take an over-the-counter pain reliever. Place a warm, damp washcloth on the opening to your urethra to ease pain, repeating as needed. Take a warm bath, unless your doctor asks you to avoid baths.

Overview
A procedure that uses a tube to examine the bladder and the urethra.
Type: Imaging
Duration: Usually 15-30 mins
Results available: Almost immediate
Conditions it may diagnose: Benign prostatic hyperplasia · Overactive bladder · Cystitis · Bladder cancer
Is Invasive: Invasive
Type: Imaging
Duration: Usually 15-30 mins
Results available: Almost immediate
Conditions it may diagnose: Benign prostatic hyperplasia · Overactive bladder · Cystitis · Bladder cancer
Is Invasive: Invasive
Ability to confirm condition: Moderate to high
Ability to rule out condition: Moderate to high
Why It's Done
Risks
How You Prepare
- Cystoscopy (sis-TOS-kuh-pee) is a procedure that allows your doctor to examine the lining of your bladder and the tube that carries urine out of your body (urethra). A hollow tube (cystoscope) equipped with a lens is inserted into your urethra and slowly advanced into your bladder. Cystoscopy may be done in a testing room, using a local anesthetic ...
What You Can Expect
Results
Clinical Trials