Cystoscopy

A cystoscopy is used to look inside your bladder, for a variety of reasons and treatments.

What is a cystoscopy?

A cystoscopy is used to look inside your bladder, for a variety of reasons and treatments. There are two kinds of cystoscopy which are currently used. With a flexible cystoscopy, a thin and bendy cystoscope will be used. With a rigid cystoscopy, the scope is a little wider and it will not bend.

Am I a good candidate for this procedure?

You may be a good candidate if you have or suspect that you have some issues with either your bladder or your urethra. It is often used to check what is causing issues such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), why you may be having problems passing water, pelvic pain which has been ongoing for a long time or to detect the reason for blood in your urine.

Should you need a biopsy, a cystoscopy can be a good choice for you.

It is also used for treatments for the aforementioned ailments. Bladder stones removal, you require medicine injecting into your bladder or a cystoscopy can also be used to insert a stent, which can help to treat any blockages which may occur.

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How does this treatment work?

When undergoing a cystoscopy, a thin scope will be placed in your urethra and up into the bladder so that your medical professional can see inside. It is also straightforward for your doctor or nurse to pass medical instruments down so that some issues can be treated during the same session.

With a flexible cystoscopy, you will remain awake throughout your procedure, with a local anaesthetic gel being used to numb you. However, should you need a rigid cystoscopy, you will either be given a general anaesthetic or the lower half of your body will be given a local anaesthetic. This is because the scope is wider and not bendy, so will potentially be less comfortable for you.

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The recovery

A cystoscopy is a safe and regularly carried out procedure. Thanks to this, you should be able to leave the hospital the same day as your treatment, and return to your normal activities. These may include working, exercising, socialising and sex – when you feel ready. The recovery time is slightly different between the two types of scope. With a flexible cystoscopy, you should feel well enough to do these things later the same day, but with a rigid cystoscopy, this could take up to two days.

After your treatment, you may find it uncomfortable to pass water or find that there is blood in your urine. This should only last for a couple of days, and you should alert your doctor if this does not improve after a few days have passed.

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