What should you know about outpatient cystoscopy?

The clinician passes a cystoscope through the urethra into the bladder after cleaning the area and applying local anaesthetic gel. You may feel pressure or an urge to pass urine. The camera allows the bladder lining and urethra to be viewed directly. If an abnormal area is seen, the clinician may discuss a biopsy or another procedure; an outpatient examination does not by itself confirm cancer.

Some people have sedation or another anaesthetic, depending on the planned procedure and their health. If sedation is used, arrange an adult to take you home and follow the instructions about driving, food, and medicines.

Tell the clinic about blood-thinning medicines, allergies, pregnancy, urinary infections, and difficulty passing urine. Follow its instructions about drinking, medicines, and transport. Afterward, drink fluids if your clinician allows it and expect mild stinging or a small amount of blood for a short time. Follow the team’s advice rather than restarting or stopping medicines on your own.

Learn more about [Cystoscopy](/treatments/diagnostics-and-staging/cystoscopy/) and why it may be used when investigating [Bladder Cancer](/conditions/bladder-cancer/).

Call the clinic if burning, bleeding, pain, or urinary frequency is worsening or does not settle as expected. Seek urgent help if you cannot pass urine, develop fever or chills, have severe lower abdominal pain, or see heavy bleeding or clots. These symptoms can signal infection, blockage, or another problem needing prompt assessment.

Ask: Is this examination diagnostic only? Will I have local anaesthetic, sedation, or another anaesthetic? Should I change any medicines? When will results be available? Which symptoms require same-day advice?