Is cystoscopy painful? What the bladder camera test feels like

Step by step

1. 1

   Before

   Tell us your medicines, especially blood thinners. You may be asked to give a urine sample to check for infection first.

2. 2

   On the day

   For a flexible test you can usually eat and drink normally. For a rigid test, follow the fasting instructions you are given.

3. 3

   During

   Gel, then the camera for a few minutes. Breathe slowly and tell the doctor if you need a pause.

4. 4

   After

   Drink extra water for a day or two. Expect mild stinging and pink urine.

5. 5

   Results

   The doctor usually explains what they saw straight away. Biopsy results take longer.

Why a doctor asks for a cystoscopy

A cystoscopy looks inside the bladder and urine tube with a thin camera. It is the main way to find the cause of some urinary problems that scans and urine tests cannot explain. Common reasons include:

• Blood in the urine, visible or found on a test
• Repeated urine infections
• A narrowing of the urine tube (stricture) or a poor stream
• Pain in the bladder or difficulty passing urine
• Checking the prostate before surgery
• Follow-up after bladder treatment, or removing a stent after stone surgery

Flexible cystoscopy: awake, a few minutes

You lie on your back and the area is cleaned. A lubricating anaesthetic gel is put into the urine tube, which may sting briefly. The thin, bendy camera is passed in. Men usually feel the most pressure as it passes the prostate; relaxing and breathing slowly helps. Water fills the bladder so the doctor can see the lining, and you will feel you need to urinate.

The look itself usually takes about five minutes. Many people watch on the screen. You can usually go home soon after and return to normal activities the same day.

Rigid cystoscopy: asleep or numb

A rigid cystoscope is a straight instrument used when the doctor needs to take biopsies, remove something or treat a narrowing. Because it would be uncomfortable awake, it is done under a general or spinal anaesthetic, usually as a day case. You will need someone to take you home, and you should not drive for at least a day.

After the test

For a day or two afterwards it is common to have:

• Stinging or burning when you pass urine
• Urine that is slightly pink
• Needing to pass urine more often

Call a doctor if

You have a fever or shivering, burning that gets worse after two days, urine that is red or has clots, or you cannot pass urine. These can mean an infection or bleeding that needs treatment. The doctor who did the test will tell you what was seen, and if a biopsy was taken, when the result will be ready.

Common questions