How does a urologist check a woman's bladder?

A urologist, or urinary tract specialist, performs a cystoscopy. For the procedure, your doctor uses a cystoscope, a pencil-sized lighted tube with a camera or viewing lens. A cystoscopy helps specialists diagnose, and sometimes treat, urinary tract problems.

How painful is a cystoscopy for a woman?

People often worry that a cystoscopy will be painful, but it does not usually hurt. Tell your doctor or nurse if you feel any pain during it. It can be a bit uncomfortable and you may feel like you need to pee during the procedure, but this will only last a few minutes.

How long does a cystoscopy take for a woman?

A simple outpatient cystoscopy can take five to 15 minutes. When done in a hospital with sedation or general anesthesia, cystoscopy takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Your cystoscopy procedure might follow this process: You'll be asked to empty your bladder.

How does a urologist examine your bladder?

A cystoscopy is a procedure to look inside the bladder using a thin camera called a cystoscope. A cystoscope is inserted into the urethra (the tube that carries pee out of the body) and passed into the bladder to allow a doctor or nurse to see inside.

Are you awake during a cystoscopy?

You are awake during the procedure and feel the doctor inserting the cystoscope. The procedure takes about 10 minutes. You go back Day Surgery Unit until you are fully alert and able to go home.

What is a cystoscopy: evaluation of your bladder

Is there any prep for a cystoscopy?

Preparation for Cystoscopy

There is no “prep” required. There is no need to come in with a full bladder. We will ask you to empty the bladder prior to the procedure. You may eat before your visit.

How embarrassing is a cystoscopy?

Cystoscopy may be an embarrassing procedure for the patient. Exposure and handling of the genitalia must be performed with respect. The patient should remain exposed only as long as is necessary to complete the evaluation.

What can I expect at a female urology exam?

The test requires a catheter to be placed in the urethra/bladder and rectum. These catheters measure pressures in the bladder and bowel. The bladder is then slowly filled with fluid in an attempt to replicate your bladder filling with urine. You may be asked to cough or strain and void/urinate during the study.

What is a cystoscopy procedure female?

Cystoscopy is a procedure that lets the healthcare provider view the urinary tract, particularly the bladder, the urethra, and the openings to the ureters. Cystoscopy can help find problems with the urinary tract. This may include early signs of cancer, infection, narrowing, blockage, or bleeding.

How long does it take to recover from a cystoscopy?

You may feel the need to urinate more often, and your urine may be pink. These symptoms should get better in 1 or 2 days. You will probably be able to go back to work or most of your usual activities in 1 or 2 days. This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover.

Will I need a catheter after a cystoscopy?

This can be a sign that your urethra (the tube that carries pee out of the body) or your prostate (a small gland found in men) is swollen. Contact a GP for advice if you're unable to empty your bladder after a cystoscopy. A thin tube called a catheter may need to be temporarily placed in your bladder to help you pee.

What does a urologist do on the first visit?

The doctor will perform a male genitourinary exam during your first appointment. That is a complete examination of the urinary tract region. The physician will perform a genital exam and a digital rectal exam to explore the prostate. The urologist may evaluate other areas as well.

Why does my doctor want to do a cystoscopy?

During a cystoscopy, a urinary tract specialist (urologist) uses a scope to view the inside of the bladder and urethra. Doctors use cystoscopy to diagnose and treat urinary tract problems. These problems include bladder cancer, bladder control issues, enlarged prostates and urinary tract infections.

Do you get cystoscopy results right away?

You should get your results within 1 or 2 weeks at a follow up appointment. Waiting for test results can be a very worrying time.

How long does a flexible cystoscopy take?

A flexible cystoscopy usually takes about 5 minutes. They may squeeze some local anaesthetic jelly into your urethra to help prevent infection and reduce discomfort. Your doctor will pass the cystoscope into your urethra.

Is cystoscopy done under general anesthesia?

Cystoscopy is typically performed in an outpatient setting, using a local anesthetic to numb your urethra. If needed, it can also be performed under sedation. Cystoscopy may also be performed in the hospital under general anesthesia.

Why would a woman need to see a urologist?

A urologist specializes in the management of all aspects of the female and male urinary tract, including incontinence, pelvic prolapse and urinary tract infections. A urogynecologist diagnoses and treats various conditions of a woman's pelvic organs, including incontinence, pelvic prolapse and pelvic floor disorders.

Can a woman have a cystoscopy?

Cystoscopy allows your doctor to view your lower urinary tract to look for abnormalities, such as a bladder stone. Surgical tools can be passed through the cystoscope to treat certain urinary tract conditions.

What will a urologist do on first visit female?

You can expect to undergo a physical exam, including a complete genital exam. This may include a prostate assessment for men and a pelvic exam for women.

What type of sedation is used for cystoscopy?

Patients tolerated cystoscopy better with intravenous sedation. Premedication with 25 to 50 mg. meperidine does not add significant analgesia or sedation to intravenous diazepam or midazolam, nor does it substitute for intravenous sedation.

Should I be scared of cystoscopy?

A flexible cystoscopy often strikes fear into anyone that is told that they need one, but there is absolutely no reason to be scared. It is an incredibly common procedure that is performed dozens of times a day at every urology department throughout the country.

Can I avoid cystoscopy?

For the majority of men, cystoscopy for the investigation of LUTS can be avoided. The data suggest there is really only a need for cystoscopy in men with LUTS to exclude suspected bladder or urethral pathology and/or before minimally invasive surgical therapies if the findings may change treatment.

Can you drive after a cystoscopy?

After a rigid cystoscopy

You'll need to arrange for someone to take you home as you will not be able to drive for at least 24 hours.

How big is a cystoscopy camera?

The distal diameter of flexible cystoscopes ranges between 14 F and 16.2 F, and the usable length between 37 cm and 40 cm, which represents approximately half of the instrument's total length (Akornor et al., 2005).

Can a gynecologist do a cystoscopy?

Cystoscopy is a procedure to examine the inside of a patient's bladder. Our gynecologists perform this procedure using a small thin camera inserted into the patient's urethra and bladder. That camera is called a cystoscope.