Cystoscopy on Tuesday morning

So what can I expect? I'm a mess...expecting the worst.

I had a cystoscopy a few months ago. I was pretty nervous as well but the nurse told me it wasn't bad at all. The nurse numbed up the base of my penis and all I felt was a little bit of pressure with the scope going further into my urethra. Took a total of 30 seconds. Just breathe and think happy thoughts 😊😊. To me it wasn't bad at all and I'll have to go back in the summer for my yearly prostate exam

First the nurse will take you to the room to get you ready. When you walk in you’ll see the flexible scope waiting for you. The nurse will have you undress from the waist down and lay on your back on the table. Then she will hold your penis and squeeze a tube of lidocaine jelly into your penis to numb you. It will feel cool and you’ll feel some pressure. Doesn’t hurt at all. She will leave and then in 10 minutes she will come back in with the doctor. The doctor will hold your penis and quickly insert the scope. You’ll feel it going all the way into to bladder. Feels different, just pressure and you’ll feel it going through your prostrate, especially if you have a larger prostate or BPH. You can watch the whole thing on a monitor and watch as it goes in. The doctor will spray water or saline through the end of the scope to dilate your urethra so it goes in easier. You may getting burning and a little blood in your urine first time or two you pee after having it done. Not bad at all. I have had several, my doctor is a young female and is very gentle. I’ve also had a rigid cystoscopy where the scope is straight and stiff and a good bit larger. It’s a little uncomfortable going in and and my penis was sore for a few days and my urine was pink for a few days.

Had a few cystoscopies.

1st one was pretty memorable, the nurse did a betadine cleanse but I don't recall getting the lidocaine jelly. I felt a little uncomfortable when the scope passed the urethral sphincter, fortunately it was the only part of the procedure I found uncomfortable. Being my first appointment to a urologist I came with a full bladder from lunch and had the urgency to urinate.

Usually they will have you urinate in a device to measure flow rate of urine. They had me wait until the cystoscopy to retrieve the urine sample via catheter. Fascinating to see your urine leave your bladder through the scope, while also getting the sensation of lost control over your bladder.

After the cystoscopy was also the time the urologist did the baseline evaluation of my genitourinary system. Penis and testicles were palpated while I was supine. The doctor then helped me place my feet flat on the table for the digital rectal exam. It felt like an eternity, but it was really only maybe 2 seconds to feel the prostate. I got to empty my bladder of the saline and distilled water afterwards and the nurse came back to do a quick ultrasound of the bladder to check how well it emptied after I had put my underwear and pants on.

I got an antibiotic after and managed to avoid any post procedure infections or any of the other side effects like painful, pink urine.

It’s not that bad. Over the years I’ve had 4. The last one was in August. The first three were performed by male Urologists. The last by a female Urologist.

Others have accurately described the procedure so I won’t repeat it. The female urologist either didn’t like men or she didn’t understand male physiology. She didn’t give the lidocaine time to do its job so my last was more uncomfortable than it needed to be. She also thought that ejaculation was exclusively for procreation and unnecessary if you aren’t plain having children.

Just make sure they don’t rush. That’s my advice. It’s all in the prep. The actual scoping is usually pretty short unless they find something in your bladder or urethra that is out of the ordinary.

Having one later in the month , I have had one a year or two ago was not bad not something I would want too often but it was not that bad.

I've had it done a few years ago. Sat on the examining table with my feet dangling over the end. Pants and underwear dropped to my ankles. Doctor injected (from a syringe but not a needle) a lubricant which contains a numbing agent. My penis was clamped to hold the lubricant/anesthetic in place for a few minutes. The doctor then inserted the flexible scope. I recall feeling some pressure as it passed my prostate and entered my bladder. As he moved the scope around my bladder and watched it on a monitor I did feel some pressure as if I had to urinate. No pain when the scope was withdrawn just the sensation that I needed to pee, probably from the saline that they use through the scope. They gave me an antibiotic pill to prevent any infection and, other than some slight bleeding and a burning when peeing the first one or two times, there was no nothing else. While I wouldn't call the procedure a fun experience it's really not a big deal. All in all the procedure from start to finish took maybe 15 minutes. Good luck...I'm sure your procedure will go well.

Thanks to all for the information. I feel better after hearing that it's not horrible.

The urine culture that was sent out a few months ago came back negative for cancer on two different tests so that's good news. I think he's just being extra cautious. I had microscopic Hematuria in my urine so that's why he's doing all of these procedures.

They squirt some lidocaine jelly into your penis so (for me) the exam is unpleasant but not excruciating. In my case it was performed by a male urologist, assisted by a male physician assistant and a female nurse. It makes for an amusing sight: my whole groin was wrapped with sterile towels except for my dick sticking out in the middle.

Never had a cystoscopy, but have had a number of "soundings" and catheters in my day (all in a pay setting with a delightful "nurse/doctor". Never had a bad or unpleasant experience. Any guys who've responded to this thread had a cute nurse/urologist making off color remarks during the procedure (or offered a happy ending!!??) (lol)

Did you have the procedure done yet?

It's no big deal. Much like getting cathed. Nurse will inject numbing gel in your urethra and put a clamp on your penis ti keep it from oozing out. Dr will insert the scope up your penis into your bladder to look around and then remove it. All done. The flexible one is done on your back. The rigid on is done on y your back, feet in stirrups. The rigid one is kind if intimidating as its long & curved. Your penis mY be clamped for a few minutes before insertion for better numbing.

I always take a small baby diaper to stuff down the front of my underwear when finished. That numbing gel can make you dribble your pants as you’re walking back through the clinic lobby, or onto your car seat on the way home.

It can be like trying to keep your spit in your mouth immediately after a dentist appointment.

Did you have the procedure done yet?

No--I have to reschedule. Family emergency required me to cancel.

Well, 3 1/2 months and 3 re-schedules later, I finally had the cystoscopy this afternoon. Everything looked good, no bladder stones, no cancer so I'm pretty thankful. It was a very quick procedure--the nurse had me empty my bladder, then took me back into the exam room for blood pressure and oxygen check. After that, I had to lie down on the table with my pants and undershorts below my knees and she immediately covered me with a towel. The urologist came in, took the towel away, covered me with a special gown with an opening for my penis then injected the lidocaine to numb me up. The only thing I was surprised at was he didn't wait very long to do the actual procedure--he inserted the scope after only maybe 20-30 seconds. It definitely burned then I felt my bladder filling up. I didn't keep track of time but he wasn't in there very long. Next thing I know he said "That's it." I was shocked and asked him how everything looked and he said my bladder was healthy with no signs of stones, tumors etc.

Thanks for the words of encouragement a few months ago--it did help.

Glad all went well.