Examine Bladder and Urethra
This is a procedure which allows the urologist to examine your bladder and urethra directly without the need for a general anaesthetic.
Procedure
Flexible cystoscopy is performed in the rooms utilising local anaesthetic jelly. You will be asked to remove your undergarments and the urethral orifice will be cleaned using chlorhexidine. It is not necessary to have an empty bladder for this procedure but if you are very full it may be worthwhile going to the toilet first as we do run water into the bladder to improve the view.
Local anaesthetic jelly is slowly placed into the urethra. The flexible scope, with a diameter of 6mm, is then carefully introduced through the urethra and into the bladder. Men may experience what is usually relatively minor, transient discomfort as the cystoscope passes through the urinary sphincter. This is one procedure where it is better to be a woman! Once the scope is in the bladder it is usually quite comfortable. A thorough examination will be made of the inside of the bladder. You're quite welcome to have a look yourself if you're interested.
Post Procedure
Although the risk of urine infection after flexible cystoscopy is low we will give you an antibiotic tablet after the procedure. We also give you a glass of water containing Ural which helps to alkalinise the urine and take the "sting" out of voiding.
It is quite normal for you to feel a burning sensation on voiding the first two or three times you go following the procedure and the urine may also be slightly blood-stained. Keeping your fluid intake up can be quite useful to help with this.
Results
The beauty of flexible cystoscopy is that the results are known immediately.
