What should you know about hematuria after cystoscopy?

Cystoscopy passes a camera through the urethra to inspect the bladder. The lining can be mildly irritated afterwards, causing pink urine, a small amount of blood, stinging, or a frequent urge to urinate. These symptoms should gradually settle. If a biopsy or another procedure was performed, your clinician may give different recovery instructions.

Blood in the urine can also have causes unrelated to the procedure, including urinary infection, stones, or bladder conditions. The finding itself does not establish bladder cancer; evaluation depends on your history, examination, and test results.

Follow the discharge instructions and drink fluids if your care team has not restricted them. Rest as advised, take only recommended pain relief, and note the colour and amount of urine. Tell the clinic if burning, urgency, or bleeding is not improving, or if you take medicines that affect clotting.

Contact your clinician promptly for bright-red urine that is increasing, clots, inability to pass urine, fever, chills, worsening lower-abdominal or back pain, vomiting, dizziness, or marked weakness. Seek emergency care if you cannot urinate or feel faint. Do not wait for a routine follow-up when these symptoms occur.

Was a biopsy or treatment performed? How much bleeding is expected in my situation? When should the urine be clear? Which medicines should I avoid or continue? What test results are still pending, and who should I contact overnight?