Disclaimer: Please note that this blog is for educational purposes only, it includes general information on health-related topics. Women’s Healthcare of Boca Raton is giving medical advice to Patients Only. Follow this link to request an appointment with Dr. Ellman.

Regular bladder exams help to prevent, detect or treat certain medical conditions to provide you with a better quality of life. To thoroughly examine the urethra and bladder, the doctor will perform the so-called cystoscopy procedure. Keep reading to learn more about cystoscopy, and don’t hesitate to seek medical assistance from Dr. David Ellman at Women’s Healthcare of Boca Raton if you have any health concerns. 

What Is a Cystoscopy and Why Do I Need It?

A cystoscope is a long, thin optical device with a tiny lens and light at the end. It is inserted into the urethra, allowing the doctor to see the inside of the bladder or any other part of the urinary tract and carry out the necessary examination. The cystoscopy procedure is named after the cystoscope tool. 

Cystoscopy is done when a person is experiencing problems with the urinary tract. The doctor orders a cystoscopy test to get a better understanding and clearer image of the problem. 

When Is the Right Moment to Get a Cystoscopy?

Female Doctor Giving a Consultation to a Patient and Explaining Medical Informations and Diagnosis

There are several reasons why your doctor could recommend you to take this test. The two most common symptoms that should set the alarm off are the constant need to urinate and pain and burning sensation while urinating. If you have one or both symptoms, you should schedule an appointment with a urologist to get tested and examined to start your treatment on time and prevent the problem from escalating. 

Other possible symptoms that can make your doctor recommend the procedure can be: 

  • An overactive bladder 
  • Blood in urine
  • Frequent urinary infections 
  • Long-lasting pelvic pain 

Should I Be Worried?

Doctors use the cystoscopic procedure to examine a wide range of potential diseases and conditions of a urinal system, its functionality, and its organs. 

Depending on the issue’s signs, symptoms, and frequency, the doctor will determine the appropriate course of action. Undergoing the procedure may help your doctor diagnose infections, cancers, enlarged organ growths, noncancerous growths, narrowing of the urethra, or stones and blockages. There are several parts of the urinary tract that can be examined via cystoscopy: 

  • Urethra – Examination can reveal different kinds of disorders such as a urethral stricture (difficulty emptying the bladder), urethra damage which may lead to inflammations and infections (urethritis), or urethral cancer.
  • Prostate – The three most common problems that may be revealed using this procedure are inflammation (prostatitis), enlarged prostate or BHP, and prostate cancer. 
  • Bladder – Cystoscopy of the bladder allows the doctor to detect problems like urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, and urinary retention. For instance, bladder diseases will most commonly warrant a cystoscopy procedure. A relatively frequent issue involves the inability to hold urine, especially when it comes to aging. 
  • Ureters and kidneys – A problem most people have, and the main reason for the procedure is a tract obstruction and blockage followed by severe pain in your abdomen, lower back, or below your ribs. 

What Can I Expect From the Bladder Cystoscopy?

Cystoscopy of the bladder is usually not a painful procedure. It does not harm your body but, in some cases, may be slightly painful, uncomfortable, and make you feel unpleasant, depending on the purpose of the examination. You can always ask for an anesthetic if you feel pain or discomfort during the bladder cystoscopy. This includes:

  • Local anesthesia: Typical in these procedures, local anesthesia means you are awake during it. Afterward, you can go home, eat and drink normally. 
  • General anesthesia: This kind of anesthesia means you’ll be asleep and unconscious during the procedure. It requires some preparation, such as coming in on an empty stomach.
  • Regional anesthesia: This option includes an injection in the back to numb you from the hips to the feet. 

How Long Does a Cystoscopy of the Bladder Last?

The cystoscopy procedure can generally take a couple of days, including the preparation and recovery period. It might last longer, but that usually happens if the person undergoing the procedure has other medical conditions that need to be considered or requires general anesthesia. 

Is There a Difference Between Bladder Cystoscopy and the Rest of the Urinary Tract?

There is no difference between bladder cystoscopy and the cystoscopy of any other urinary tract organ. The procedure is always the same, as is the instrument doctors use for examinations. There is no alternative way of testing your bladder, considering cystoscopy is the most effective.

Preparation for the Cystoscopy

Doctor and Patient Discussing

There is no special preparation for bladder cystoscopy. Urologists may ask you to take antibiotics as a preventative measure in case you have a weak immune system and can easily catch an infection. They can also ask you for a urine sample if they think additional tests are needed. The preparation and recovery period might last longer if you were under general anesthesia. 

How Long Does a Cystoscopy Take?

The procedure lasts 15-20 minutes for a simple outpatient cystoscopy; when we talk about how long a cystoscopy takes in general, it all comes down to how much time the doctor needs to slip in the tube, examine the bladder, and pull the tube out. 

Post-Cystoscopy Period

Some side effects and risks need to be considered in the case of a bladder cystoscopy. Typically, there are some minor side effects, such as the frequent need to urinate and the bleeding from the urethra, making your urine pink-colored. There will be some pain since the urinary tract is sore after the procedure. These symptoms could last a few days, but everything should return to normal afterward. 

If you’re feeling any pain or discomfort, use pain medication as told by your doctor. The bleeding risk can increase after taking aspirin, so only take prescribed meds. You might be prescribed an antibiotic after the surgery, too. This will aid in infection control. Take the antibiotic precisely as advised.

If things do not normalize after three to four days, that might indicate something serious is happening. You should call the doctor to inform them about your condition and ask for further instructions. Additional symptoms that may suggest a serious condition are:

  • Heavy bleeding
  • Severe pain 
  • High fever 
  • Not being able to urinate

It’s not possible to always be in control of how healthy your bladder and urinary system are. Still, you can try to maintain the best bladder functionality by practicing healthy habits

To Conclude

Cystoscopy is a diagnostic procedure used to identify the source of urinary tract issues. Based on the results, you and your doctor can decide on a course of necessary therapy. Remember that while an uncomfortable cystoscopy is acceptable, the pain is never OK.

At Womens Healthcare of Boca Raton, we offer services for women of all ages, from preventative care like well-woman exams to more specialized care like cystoscopy. Our skilled staff performs standard and minimally invasive surgeries to enhance your health and well-being.

Dr. Ellman is a Board Certified OBGYN who established his medical practice in South Florida over 25 years ago. His office, Women’s Healthcare of Boca Raton, is located in Boca Raton, Florida at West Boca Medical Center. Dr. Ellman attended Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, where he received his medical degree. He went on to intern at Beth Israel Hospital in Boston- an affiliate of Harvard Medical School- and continued his residency at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, New York- an affiliate of Cornell Medical School.

Dr. Ellman has practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology in the Boca Raton area since 1995. In addition to treating patients at West Boca Hospital, Dr. Ellman also treats patients through his own private practice, Women’s Healthcare of Boca Raton, located on the West Boca Medical Campus.

Published On: October 31st, 2022