Cystoscopy

Cystoscopy 

Patient Information

Obstetrics & Gynaecology Service

• Author ID: WW-T
• Leaflet ref: Gyn 017
• Version: 9
• Leaflet title: Cystoscopy
• Last review: February 2025
• Expiry date: February 2027

Cystoscopy

Cystoscopy means an examination of the bladder with a telescopic instrument called a cystoscope.

The procedure

It is normally carried out in a clinic using local anaesthetic jelly but there are occasions when a general anaesthetic (fully asleep) is advised, and you will need to be admitted to hospital for part of a day.

The cystoscopy normally takes no longer than 10 to 15 minutes to perform.

Local anaesthetic

You will be asked to bend your legs and place them in supports.    The doctor will apply some local anaesthetic jelly to the urethra (tube which drains your bladder).  This may sting very slightly but will not be painful. You will then wait five minutes for the anaesthetic to take effect. After five minutes.  The opening to the urethra will be cleaned and the cystoscope will be gently placed into your bladder.  Fluid will be instilled into the bladder to improve the view and you may feel that your bladder is filling up.  There will be a television screen showing the view inside your bladder and you will be able to choose whether to watch or not.  The doctor will explain what you are seeing during the procedure.

Once everything has been checked the cystoscope will be removed and you will be able to get up and visit the toilet before going home.

General anaesthetic

If you have a general anaesthetic the procedure will be carried out in an operating theatre. Once the operation has been done, you will be transferred to the recovery room.  The recovery nurse will check your blood pressure and pulse and when you are stable and awake in approximately half to three quarters of an hour you can be transferred back to the ward.

You will probably need to stay on the ward for three to four hours after your operation.  Once you have had a warm drink, a light snack and passed urine you will be allowed home.

You will need a responsible adult to take you home and care for you for 24 hours after the anaesthetic. 

Benefits

You may need a cystoscopy if you have any of the following problems:

• Having blood in your urine
• Bladder pain

It may also be useful for other problems.  If they do not respond to usual treatments a cystoscopy can sometimes help to find out what is causing them:

• Passing urine more often than normal 
• Being woken up a lot at night by the need to pass urine
• Having to rush to the toilet to pass urine
• Leaking urine on the way to the toilet

Risks

Most cystoscopies are performed without any problem.

• You may have a mild burning feeling when you pass urine and feel the need to go more often than usual for the next 24 hours. 
• Occasionally, a urine infection develops shortly after a cystoscopy. This can cause a fever (high temperature) and pain when you pass urine. 

Alternatives

The examination is diagnostic, and it is more successful than other tests, like urine tests or ultrasound in picking up problems, such as bladder stones, bleeding, tumours and some abnormalities of the bladder.

Telephone contact numbers

If you have any pain or problems when passing urine, please ring:

Hanover Women’s Healthcare Unit Nurses:   01942 264962; 01942 264963

Or

Swinley Ward, Wigan Infirmary:  01942 822568 (nights and weekends)