What should you know about transurethral cystoscopy?

The clinician cleans the area and inserts a cystoscope through the urethra. Local anaesthetic gel, sedation or another anaesthetic may be used. Sterile fluid gently fills the bladder so its lining can be seen. The clinician may take a small sample or treat a minor finding during the examination.

The test can investigate blood in urine, repeated urinary symptoms, a narrowing or a suspected bladder tumour. It can show the bladder lining but does not by itself answer every question about a finding; laboratory testing of a sample may be needed.

Tell the clinic about allergies, medicines, pregnancy possibility and previous urinary problems. Follow instructions about eating, drinking and medicines, and arrange a lift if sedation is planned. After the test, drink fluids if your clinician advises this and use recommended pain relief.

Mild burning when passing urine, urinary frequency or a small amount of blood can occur for a short time. Follow the discharge instructions and attend any appointment arranged to discuss findings or test results.

Contact the clinic for worsening pain, fever, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, persistent heavy bleeding or difficulty passing urine. Seek urgent help if you cannot urinate, feel faint or develop severe pain. These signs may indicate infection, significant bleeding or urinary blockage.

Ask why the cystoscopy is recommended, which anaesthetic will be used, whether a sample may be taken, when results will be ready, and what activity restrictions apply. Ask what symptoms after the test should prompt a call and whether another examination is needed.