Cystoscopy procedure for men

Local anaesthetic gel helps numb and lubricate the passage for many flexible examinations. A rigid procedure or planned biopsy may require sedation or another form of anaesthesia.

The male urethra runs through the penis and prostate before reaching the bladder. As the flexible instrument moves around the natural curves, you may notice pressure or an urge to urinate. Sterile fluid placed in the bladder can strengthen that sensation, but the examination team can pause if discomfort is difficult to manage.

Cystoscopy lets the clinician assess narrowing, the prostate's effect on the urinary channel, stones, inflammation, bleeding, and abnormal bladder tissue. If a lesion is found, tissue sampling rather than the camera image provides the microscopic diagnosis.

Ask whether you may eat and drink normally, because instructions depend on the anaesthesia. Report blood-thinning medicines, allergies, urinary infection symptoms, and any previous urethral surgery or known narrowing. You may be asked for a urine sample before the examination.

Temporary stinging, urgency, or a small amount of blood may occur afterward. Follow the advice on fluids and pain relief, urinate when you need to, and avoid strenuous activity until the unit says it is appropriate. If sedation was used, arrange transport and follow the restrictions in your discharge instructions.

Notify the care team if burning or pelvic pain is worsening, or if you develop fever, chills, foul-smelling urine, increasing blood, or clots. Seek urgent help if you cannot urinate despite a strong urge, have heavy bleeding, feel faint or confused, or develop severe lower abdominal swelling and pain. Urinary blockage requires timely assessment.

Ask whether a flexible or rigid scope is planned, how discomfort will be controlled, and whether the prostate or a urethral narrowing may affect the procedure. Check whether biopsy is possible, when sexual activity and exercise can resume, and how you will receive any laboratory result.