Cystoscopy for Men

A cystoscopy may be done on an outpatient basis. This means you go home the same day. Or it may be done during a hospital stay. Procedures may vary, depending on your condition and your healthcare provider’s practices.

You will remove any clothing, jewelry, or other objects that may interfere with the procedure.

You will be asked to remove your clothing and you will be given a gown to wear.

An IV (intravenous) line may be started in your arm or hand.

You may be given an IV sedative or anesthetic, depending on your situation and the type of scope that will be used. This will make you sleepy and not feel pain during the cystoscopy. If a sedative or anesthetic is used, your heart rate, blood pressure, breathing, and blood oxygen level will be watched during the procedure.

You will lie on an exam table on your back. You may need to keep your knees up and spread apart. Your feet may be placed in stirrups.

A numbing medicine will be put through the end of your penis and into your urethra using a syringe or soft, thin tube (catheter). This may be mildly uncomfortable until the area is numb.

Once the urethra is numb or the anesthesia has taken effect, the healthcare provider will put the cystoscope into the end of your penis and through the urethra. You may have some discomfort when this is done.

As the cystoscope is passed through the urethra, the healthcare provider will check the lining. The provider will move the cystoscope up until it reaches the bladder.

Once the cystoscope is in the bladder, the healthcare provider may put sterile water or saline into the bladder. This helps to expand it and make the bladder lining easier to see. While the bladder is being filled, you may have the urge to urinate. Or you may feel mild discomfort.

The healthcare provider will check the bladder for any problems. A long, thin tool may be passed through the cystoscope to take out a piece of bladder tissue for testing. A urine sample may be taken from the bladder, too.

The cystoscope will be carefully removed after the procedure has been completed.