If you’re struggling with bladder issues like pain, blood, or inability to control the pee, chances are you may have developed a urinary tract problem. To identify the problem, the doctor may recommend cystoscopy, which is a quick test that produces fast results with fewer risks. Learn about cystoscopy in this comprehensive guide. If you want to know more about urological health, visit us at Doral Health and Wellness Urology Center and consult with the best nephrologists and urologists in East New York.
What is cystoscopy and when does the doctor recommend it?
Cystoscopy is a test used to check your urinary tract, including the bladder, urethra, and openings of the ureter, for problems. It can detect early signs of cancer, infection, narrowing, blockage, or bleeding. During this test, doctors use a long, flexible, lighted tube to insert into the urethra and move up into the bladder. It has a camera inside the tube, providing a visual view of the bladder. It is also used to wash the bladder. When this reaches the structures, special tools are used through the scope to perform several functions. Sometimes, during the procedure, the doctor may remove a tissue sample to examine under the microscope to look for problems. This process is called biopsy.
Your doctor might recommend this test if you are experiencing urinary problems, like constant need to urinate or painful urination. Your doctor may order this test to investigate problems like:
- Blood in the urine
- Frequent urinary tract infections
- An overactive bladder
- Pelvic pain
A cystoscopy also reveals several other conditions like bladder tumors, stones, and cancer. Your doctor uses this test to diagnose:
- Blockages
- Enlarged prostate gland
- Noncancerous growths
- Problems with the ureters
Cystoscopy is also used to treat several underlying bladder conditions, like removing small bladder tumors and stones or taking a sample of bladder tissue. Other uses include:
- Taking a urine sample to check for tumors and infection.
- Inserting a small tube to help with urine flow.
- Injecting dye to identify kidney problems on an X-ray.
Procedure
To prepare for the procedure, your doctor will guide you about the test. You can ask any question you have. You need to sign a consent form to permit the test. Read the form carefully and ask questions if anything is not clear. Depending on the type of anesthesia used, you need to have an empty stomach accordingly. Follow the instructions for fasting that are recommended before the test. You may need to consume a special diet for a day or two before the test. Anesthesia can make you dizzy afterward, so ask for someone to take you home.
Here’s a list of some of the things you should tell your doctor before the procedure, including:
- If you’re pregnant or expecting.
- If you’re sensitive to or allergic to any medicines (latex, iodine, tape, or anesthesia medicines).
- Medications you’re taking, including prescribed and over-the-counter medicines, herbs, vitamins, and supplements. This helps the doctor to guide which medication you can take or stop before the procedure, because some medications can cause excessive bleeding during the procedure.
- If you have a history of bleeding disorders or you take any blood-thinning medicines (aspirin, or other medicines that affect blood clotting). You may need to stop these medicines before the test.
- If you think you have a urinary tract infection (UTI). In that case, cystoscopy can’t be performed, and you need to take a urine test to check for infection. Signs of infection include frequent urination, pain or burning when passing urine, fever, and urine that looks dark, cloudy, or reddish and has a foul smell.
Based on your overall health, your doctor may ask for other specific preparations.
During the procedure, the doctor may follow these steps:
- You need to change your clothes into a hospital gown and remove jewelry or objects that may interfere with the test.
- An IV line may be started in your arm or hand. Often, the doctor may give you an antibiotic before the test.
- You may be given IV sedation or anesthesia, depending on your health and the type of scope that will be used. This makes you sleepy during the procedure so that you don’t feel any pain. If you are given a sedative or anesthesia, then your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and blood oxygen level are closely monitored during the test.
- You need to lie on the exam table on your back with your knees up and spread apart.
- Your feet will be held up in stirrups.
- A numbing medicine is given in the form of gel to your urethra. It may make you mildly uncomfortable until the area gets numb.
- Once the urethra gets numb or anesthesia shows its effect, the doctor will put the cystoscope into the urethra. After the procedure, you may feel some discomfort.
- A cystoscope passes through the urethra to check the lining and keeps moving up until it reaches the bladder.
- Once the cystoscope is in the bladder, the doctor may put sterile water or saline to fill the bladder to expand it to see the bladder lining more clearly. While the bladder is being filled, you may have an urge to urinate or feel mild discomfort.
- Your doctor will check the bladder for any problems by putting a long, thin tool through the cystoscope to take a sample of bladder tissue for testing. A urine sample may also be collected from the bladder.
- After the sample is collected or the doctor inspects the bladder completely, the cystoscope will be carefully removed.
- If local anesthesia is used, this procedure may take less than 5 minutes. If you’re sedated or given general anesthesia, then the entire procedure may take 15 to 30 minutes.
After the procedure, you may be sent to the recovery room, where your vitals will be monitored depending on whether sedation or anesthesia was used. Your recovery depends on the type of sedation that was used. Once your vitals get normal, you are either shifted to another hospital room or discharged and are free to go back to your home. Mostly, cystoscopy is an outpatient procedure. You may go back to your normal diet and activities unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
You are encouraged to drink extra fluids because it dilutes the urine and eases urinary discomfort like burning. Some burning with urination after the test is normal but gets better over time. A warm sitz bath or tub bath may ease urinary discomfort. You may notice blood in your urine after the test, which clears up over the next day or two.
Don’t take aspirin or other pain medicines for soreness or discomfort that are not prescribed by the doctor because it increases the risk of bleeding. Instead, take medicines that are prescribed by the doctor. Take antibiotics as prescribed.
Side effects
A cystoscopy is a low-risk procedure. However, some people experience some side effects like:
- Fever or chills
- Increased urinary frequency or urgency
- Not able to urinate properly
- Lower back pain
- Continued burning with urination or blood in the urine
These are the signs of infection, which can be treated with antibiotics.
In rare cases, some people develop serious complications, including:
- Swollen urethra (urethritis): It is the most common complication, which makes urination difficult. If you can’t urinate for more than 8 hours after the procedure, you should contact your doctor.
- Bleeding: Few people suffer from more severe bleeding. You should call the doctor if this happens.
- Bladder spasms: It causes painful cramps and leaking pee.
- Bladder damage: This occurs during inserting or removing the cystoscope.
- Damage to urethra: Similar to bladder damage, it is caused by the cystoscope, which leads to scarring or narrowing.
You should call your doctor if you have:
- A fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Bright red blood or clots of tissue in the urine.
- Unable to void, even though you feel the need.
- Persistent stomach pain.
What do the results mean?
Your doctor will tell you your results immediately after the cystoscopy if they notice any changes in your bladder. Sometimes, the doctor may wait to discuss your results at the next follow-up appointment. If your doctor collects a sample of cells for testing, it takes 1 to 2 weeks to get results. After that, you will know your results. If you have cancer in your results, you’re referred to a specialist cancer care team.
A cystoscopy test is used to diagnose the causes of your symptoms like pain, blood in your pee, or inability to control your pee. It can check your bladder changes that cause your symptoms. It is a quick procedure with minimal risks and fast recovery time. It also helps in several treatments as well. It helps you to know what to expect and helps the doctor to plan your treatment.
If you need help with bladder problems, visit our gynecology clinic in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. Call us to book your appointment now!!! At Doral Health and Wellness Urology Center, our team of urologists will work with you in managing your disease and your quality of life. We also offer services, such as renal and bladder ultrasound. To schedule an appointment, please visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212 or call +1-718-367-2555. You can also visit our website at https://www.urologistbrooklyn.com/.
