About this page. This is a plain English summary of a flexible cystoscopy. It does not replace medical advice from your own doctor or specialist.
For full information and references, please read the detailed page.
What is a flexible cystoscopy?
A flexible cystoscopy is a quick look inside the bladder with a thin, bendy telescope. The telescope is passed through the natural opening - through the penis in men, or through the urethra in women. Because it is flexible, it bends to your shape, and it is generally well tolerated.
Why it is done
Cystoscopy is one of the most common urology tests. It is used to find or to rule out problems such as:
- The cause of blood in the urine (haematuria).
- Bladder tumours.
- Stones in the bladder.
- Strictures (narrowings) in the urethra.
- Changes related to an enlarged prostate.
It is also used regularly to follow up patients after a bladder tumour, since recurrences are common and need to be picked up early.
What the test feels like
The test usually takes only a few minutes. Most patients are awake and have a local anaesthetic gel. Sometimes a light sedation is used. You may feel a sense of pressure or fullness as the bladder is filled with fluid so it can be inspected.
Afterwards
It is normal to have:
- Some burning or stinging when passing urine for a few hours, occasionally up to a day.
- A small amount of blood in the urine for a day or so.
- A need to drink plenty of water to flush the bladder through.
If you develop a fever, ongoing severe pain, or a sense that you cannot pass urine at all, please contact the doctor or go to an emergency department. Infection after cystoscopy is uncommon, but can happen and is treatable.
Important things to know
- Most flexible cystoscopies are done as a quick outpatient test - you go home the same day.
- It can usually pick up changes inside the bladder that an ultrasound or CT scan may miss.
- Mild burning and a few drops of blood are normal afterwards. A fever or very heavy bleeding is not, and should be checked.
- If a problem is found at cystoscopy, the next step (such as a biopsy or a TURBT) will be discussed and arranged separately.
What you can do next
- Read the full detailed page with references and patient brochures.
- Short version: bladder cancer - one of the conditions cystoscopy is used to look for.
- Short version: ureteric stents.
- Other plain English pages.
- Call 02 8382 6980 to make an appointment.