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Private cystoscopy
- See a consultant urologist or urogynaecologist within 24 hours
- Fast access to diagnosis and treatment
- Comfortable private facilities in London, Birmingham and Manchester
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PRIVATE CYSTOSCOPY
Why choose us for your cystoscopy?
We understand that symptoms such as blood in your urine, pelvic pain or a urinary tract infection (UTI) can be both uncomfortable and worrying and you’ll want fast answers. A cystoscopy can help to both diagnose and treat your symptoms and our knowledgeable multidisciplinary team, including expert urologists and urogynaecologists, is here to offer you all the specialist advice, care and support you need.
You'll be looked after in comfortable, state-of-the-art private facilities and our team will support you at every stage, from diagnosis and treatment through to recovery and any follow-ups you may need.
You'll be looked after in comfortable, state-of-the-art private facilities and our team will support you at every stage, from diagnosis and treatment through to recovery and any follow-ups you may need.
A cystoscopy is a very safe, common procedure and one that we carry out hundreds of times a year. It helps an expert urologist to look inside your bladder and urethra using a long, thin tube that contains a small camera, called a cystoscope. This can help them to diagnose or treat conditions affecting your bladder and urethra.
There are two types of cystoscopy:
- A flexible cystoscopy uses a bendy tube and is often used to diagnose conditions.
- A rigid cystoscopy uses a straight tube which does not bend and is often carried out to treat conditions.
Rest assured that your consultant will talk you through the differences and explain which will be most suitable for you, and why. You’ll either be given a local or general anaesthetic, depending on the nature of your procedure and why you’re having it.
If you have any questions or concerns, your consultant will be happy to answer them and put your mind at rest.
You might benefit from a cystoscopy to help diagnose a condition or to help treat one.
Your consultant is likely to be keen to check why you have symptoms such as:
- Blood in your urine
- Urinary incontinence
- UTIs
- Constant pain in your lower belly
- Pain when you urinate
- Usually frequent urination
They may also use a cystoscopy to treat various conditions. For example, it can be used to:
- Shrink your prostate
- Remove bladder stones
- Repair your bladder
- Inject medicine into your bladder
- Remove cells for testing, known as a biopsy
If you’re having a flexible cystoscopy, you’ll generally be given a local anaesthetic gel to numb the area around your urethra. If you're having a rigid cystoscopy, you'll be given a general anaesthetic via injection and be admitted to hospital as a day case.
Either way, your consultant will gently insert the cystoscope into your urethra while you’re lying on your back. This will allow them to bring an image of the inside of your bladder up on a big digital screen. Sometimes sterilised water will be pumped into your bladder to give your consultant a clearer picture. Depending on your symptoms and the reasons for the cystoscopy, they may take a tissue sample to be sent off for testing.
Either way, your consultant will gently insert the cystoscope into your urethra while you’re lying on your back. This will allow them to bring an image of the inside of your bladder up on a big digital screen. Sometimes sterilised water will be pumped into your bladder to give your consultant a clearer picture. Depending on your symptoms and the reasons for the cystoscopy, they may take a tissue sample to be sent off for testing.
Fast access to appointments
Speak to an expert urologist or urogynaecologist within 24 hours
Personalised care and support
At every stage from initial consultation right through to recovery
State-of-the-art facilities
Comfortable, private facilities in London, Birmingham and Manchester
Locations
You can be treated by specialist consultants and dedicated teams at our hospitals in London, Birmingham and Manchester.
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
THE CYSTOSCOPY PROCESS
Your private cystoscopy with HCA UK
While having a cystoscopy is very common and safe, it’s natural to feel concerned and we want you to feel as comfortable and informed as possible. Below you’ll find an outline of what to expect but our teams will be here for you to explain everything in person.
If you have any questions before arranging an appointment, please get in touch.
If you have any questions before arranging an appointment, please get in touch.
01
Consultation
Following a referral from your GP, you'll meet with one of our urology consultants and be given the time and space to discuss your symptoms and how they're affecting you. If a cystoscopy is recommended as the best course of action, you'll be able to ask any questions you might have.
02
Preparation
Your consultant will give you clear advice on how best to prepare and that advice will depend on the type of cystoscopy you're having. It may involve giving a urine sample, not eating or drinking for a few hours and making arrangements for someone to take you home.
03
Procedure
On the day of your cystoscopy, you'll come into one of our private facilities where your multidisciplinary team will be happy to answer any outstanding questions you have, helping to put your mind at ease before the procedure is carried out.
04
Aftercare
If you’ve had a flexible cystoscopy, you may be able to go straight home or you may need to stay a few hours or overnight in one of our comfortable, private rooms if you’ve had a rigid procedure. If you've had a general anaesthetic and are going home the same day, it’s important that you ask someone else to drive you.
Your consultant will advise what’s best for you and you'll be given clear, detailed advice on how best to recover. We'll be in touch with your results and details of any follow-up appointments.
Your consultant will advise what’s best for you and you'll be given clear, detailed advice on how best to recover. We'll be in touch with your results and details of any follow-up appointments.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Cystoscopy FAQ
If you have a UTI, you won't be able to have a cystoscopy until the infection has been treated. Just let your HCA UK team know and they can help you to reschedule your appointment.
A cystoscopy is generally considered to be a low-risk procedure but, like all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects.
Your consultant will explain these to you, but they may include:
- Blood in your urine
- Infection
- Abdominal pain
- Pain when you urinate
- Bladder spasms
Sometimes you may be able to get your results straight away, but it may also take a few days if testing is needed. Once we have your results, your consultant will speak to you about what we recommend as the next course of action and whether any further tests or treatments might be needed.
A flexible cystoscopy typically takes around 15 minutes. A rigid cystoscopy usually takes a little longer, up to half an hour.
If you're having a flexible cystoscopy, you'll be given a local anaesthetic. This is usually in the form of a gel to numb the area around your urethra. If you're having a rigid cystoscopy, you'll be given a general anaesthetic, usually via an injection.
You'll be given an anaesthetic before your procedure, so you shouldn't experience any pain, although you might feel like you need to urinate. After your cystoscopy, it's normal to feel a little discomfort. If this is severe or persists for a few days, please contact your consultant and we'll book you in for a follow-up appointment.
If you've had a flexible cystoscopy, you should be able to drive yourself home afterwards, although you might want to ask a friend or family member to be available, just in case.
If you've had a rigid cystoscopy, it's best to wait at least 24 hours for the effects of the general anaesthetic to wear off before you drive again.
If you've had a rigid cystoscopy, it's best to wait at least 24 hours for the effects of the general anaesthetic to wear off before you drive again.
“A cystoscopy can play a crucial role in both diagnosing and treating a range of urological conditions. Any test can feel daunting, which is why you'll be cared for by experienced specialists using the latest technology. Our focus is always on providing expert, personalised care in a safe and supportive environment.”
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