What is a flexible cystoscopy?
A fine tube containing a miniature telescope is passed into the urethra (waterpipe) so that the doctor or specialist nurse can examine the inside of the bladder.
Why is it done?
The only way your doctor or nurse can evaluate this is to look inside your bladder and urethra is with a cystoscope. Please contact us if you have any signs of a urine infection prior to your appointment.
What does it involve?
The procedure itself is very straightforward. On arrival in the Urology Department, you will be asked to provide a urine sample so that we can check that you do not have signs of a urine infection prior to the procedure.
You will then be asked to change into a hospital gown in a changing cubicle. From there you are taken to an examination room where a doctor or nurse will clean the genital area with a mild antiseptic.
A local anaesthetic jelly will be inserted in the urethra (waterpipe) before the instrument is gently passed into the bladder.
Flexible Cystoscopy Male
Flexible Cysoscopy Female
When will I find out the results?
Immediately after the procedure has been completed you will be informed of the results and the proposed treatment plan.
After the test
Drink plenty of fluid for the next 48 hours.
Most patients have no trouble at all following a flexible cystoscopy. However, you may experience a mild burning on passing urine in the first 24 hours afterwards or some minor bleeding, but this usually settles on its own. Occasionally some people develop an infection in the urine after a flexible cystoscopy. If this occurs the symptoms are usually those of pain on passing urine or persistent burning or bleeding. If any of these persist for more than 48 hours, you should contact your doctor.
Contact Details
If you have any queries, please contact:
Specialist Nurses
Telephone: 0161 206 5380 on the telephone answer machine. Monday-Friday, 8am-6pm.
We do our best to reply to all queries on the same day. If out of hours, please seek medical advice if you are unwell or attend your local A&E department.
You can also contact the Urology department via email on urologyappointments@nca.nhs.uk any queries will be forwarded on to the appropriate urology nurse or secretary.
Date of Review: November 2023
Date of Next Review: November 2025
Ref No: PI_SU_1662 (Salford)