Frequently Asked Questions about a Cystoscopy

6. What are your expectations for the procedure?

Sometimes, tissue samples are taken because static images of the urethra and bladder might not be enough to determine a diagnosis or establish a conclusion. Before the procedure starts, your provider will apply numbing jelly into your urethra. You’ll need to wait a few minutes before your urethra is numb, decreasing pain.

If the urologist needs to take a tissue sample or perform an actual surgical procedure, a larger scope might be needed. This may increase the level of discomfort. Your provider might also use a sterile solution to fill your bladder. This is used to allow the urologist to more completely examine the tissues as the bladder wall is stretched out. This might give you the urge to urinate shortly after the procedure.