Private Cystoscopy (Rigid and Flexible)

At Welbeck, cystoscopies are performed in our outpatient clinic and take around 15 to 30 minutes to complete. You’ll lie on your back throughout the procedure, and your feet will likely be up in stirrups with your knees bent.

In most cases, flexible cystoscopies are carried out with a local anaesthesia. Sedation is usually given when a rigid cystoscopy is required, and in some cases, a general anaesthetic may also be given. Once the anaesthetic has taken effect, your consultant will gently insert the cystoscope into your urethra, and live images will appear on a nearby screen.

They may pump some sterile water into your bladder to help produce a clearer picture. Your consultant will examine your urethra and bladder and may take a biopsy of any abnormal areas, and the site will be cauterised (sealed using heat) to stop any bleeding.

The clinician performing your procedure will explain their findings immediately after the procedure, and you will also be provided with a procedure report, which will contain all relevant findings. In cases where biopsies are taken, these results will take a few days to become available while the laboratory analyses the samples.

Cystoscopy for men vs. women

Flexible and rigid cystoscopies can be performed on both male and female patients. The key difference is in the anatomy – men have a longer urethra than women, and it is S-shaped rather than straight. This means that the male urethra requires more cautious and slow navigation of the cystoscope, so the procedure might take slightly longer when performed on male patients.

As well as being used to investigate urinary issues, cystoscopy is also often performed to assess prostate-related urinary issues in male patients.​

Cystoscopy for children and young people

At Welbeck, cystoscopy is available for children aged 12 to 18. The procedure is performed under the care of our specialists in our state-of-the-art Surgery Centre. Chaparones are available for the safety of both your child and our clinicians. If you would like a chaperone to attend your child’s treatment, please let your consultant know before arriving for your appointment.  

While generally safe, like any procedure, a cystoscopy does carry some risks and can have complications. These include:

• urinary tract infection (UTI)​
• temporary urinary retention​
• urethral irritation or bleeding​
• narrowing of the urethra
• injury to the urethra (rare)

There is little to no preparation required ahead of having a flexible cystoscopy – your consultant may simply advise you to drink plenty of fluids beforehand to ensure your bladder is not empty.​ 

Your consultant will explain the steps of the procedure to you and any risks beforehand and can also answer any questions you might have. 

If a biopsy was taken, your consultant will deliver your results a few days after your procedure at a follow-up appointment, where they will also discuss your options if treatment is required.

Cystoscopy is very straightforward and is performed on an outpatient basis. You don’t need to stay in hospital overnight, and there are no wounds to be dressed and cared for. You will be able to go home shortly after your cystoscopy, as soon as you have passed urine, and you can return to your normal activities immediately. 

After a cystoscopy, it’s normal to feel a little discomfort when urinating, and you may also see a little blood in your urine for 24 to 48 hours. You may also experience a temporary increase in urgency or frequency of urination.

Your consultant will advise you to drink plenty of fluids to flush out your bladder and to avoid strenuous activity for 24 hours.

At Welbeck, our urologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialities, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if needed to ensure you receive the best possible treatment as quickly as possible, all under one roof.

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

To book a cystoscopy at Welbeck, you must be referred by either your GP or a specialist following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this test.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with a urologist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.

Does having a cystoscopy hurt?

A cystoscopy is a very well-tolerated procedure and is not associated with any pain. Mild discomfort or a burning sensation is common when passing urine for the first few times after the procedure. If these symptoms persist, your consultant may request a urine sample to test for any possible infection.

How long does a cystoscopy take?

From preparation to completion, a cystoscopy takes around 15 to 30 minutes.

How often should you have a cystoscopy?

How often you should have a cystoscopy depends on your symptoms and any diagnosis you’ve received. Your consultant will discuss any follow-up investigations with you.

I’m having a hysterectomy. Why is a cystoscopy needed?

A cystoscopy may be performed during or after a hysterectomy to identify and repair any accidental injuries to the bladder or ureters which may have occurred during the surgery.