Does cystoscopy hurt

Cystoscopy usually causes a certain degree of pain or discomfort, but most people can tolerate it. The degree of pain is mainly related to factors such as the examination method and individual tolerance differences. Cystoscopy is a commonly used examination method in urology, mainly used to observe the internal condition of the bladder and diagnose diseases such as cystitis, bladder stones, bladder tumors, etc. For most people, the discomfort of cystoscopy is mainly concentrated during the examination process. When the cystoscope enters through the urethra, it may cause tension and stimulation of the urethral mucosa, resulting in a burning or acidic sensation similar to that during urination. This discomfort may be more pronounced in males, as the male urethra is longer and has physiological curvature. During the examination, in order to fully observe the bladder wall, the doctor will inject physiological saline into the bladder to make it full, which will cause obvious urination and bladder distension, and is the main source of discomfort during the examination. However, the entire inspection process is usually fast, lasting from a few minutes to a dozen minutes, and most people can complete it smoothly. For people with poor pain tolerance or particularly tense, in rare cases, the pain may be more severe. For example, patients with urethral stricture, benign prostatic hyperplasia, or acute cystitis may experience significantly increased pain and resistance during examination due to congestion and edema of the urethral mucosa or narrowing of the passage. In addition, if biopsy or stone removal is required, the pain will also increase accordingly. For these situations, doctors usually recommend choosing a painless cystoscopy, which involves completing the examination under anesthesia without any pain throughout the entire process. After the SEP examination, it is recommended to drink plenty of water to increase urine output, flush the urethra, and alleviate possible hematuria and painful urination. Within one or two days after the examination, pay attention to rest and avoid vigorous exercise and heavy physical labor. If there is continuous worsening of hematuria, fever, or difficulty urinating, timely medical follow-up should be sought. Daily attention to maintaining cleanliness of the perineum and avoiding spicy and irritating foods can help reduce symptoms of urethral irritation.