Observation cystoscopy in women

Cystoscopy is a procedure for examining the bladder and urethra using endoscopic instruments. Chronic diseases in this part of the body periodically remind of themselves with outbreaks of pain and discomfort, disrupt the usual rhythm of life. An examination is ordered when the diagnosis is not defined or difficult to establish. This examination technique allows the doctor to examine the bladder in detail, accurately identify the nature of the disease and find an effective treatment method.

The essence of cystoscopy

The advent of endoscopic examination methods allows accurate diagnoses to be made without incisions. An endoscope is a rigid or flexible tube with a camera and a point of illumination at the end. When this tube is inserted into the area of ​​interest, the doctor can see the organs from the inside in real time, this is a very informative examination technique. The new generation of such devices transmits an image to the screen, in the old samples there is an optical system through which the urologist examines the organ. New generation devices are considered more preferable, since during a natural examination, the doctor may not see some details. With the help of a camera and lighting on the screen, all parts of the organ can be viewed more accurately, respectively, the risk of misdiagnosis is reduced.

Such a device for diagnosing the urethra is called a cystoscope. Different nozzles and tubes are used for men and women, since the volume and length of the urethra are different. The female cystoscope is slightly shorter and wider. The tube can be rigid or flexible; flexible diagnostics is much easier. During the procedure, the urologist inserts a cystoscope into the urethral cavity through the external opening of the urethra, and the tube is advanced along the urethra into the bladder cavity. Through the “peephole” or on the monitor screen, the doctor examines the condition of the mucosa, determines the presence of tumors or other neoplasms.

This procedure is not very pleasant for the patient, but it is quite tolerable. Gels, sedatives, and sometimes general anesthesia are used for pain relief. Cystoscopy has a significant advantage – the high accuracy of the results. Ultrasound, tests or x-rays do not provide such detailed data. Assign endoscopic examination in cases where treatment does not give the desired results or the diagnosis cannot be established at all. Direct indications for the procedure:

• urolithiasis disease;
• leukoplakia;
• blood and purulent inclusions in the urine;
• infections of the genitourinary system without an acute course;
• suspicion of urinary tuberculosis;
• tumors and other neoplasms;
• pain in the pelvic area, when urinating without a clear cause.

During a viewing cystoscopy, the doctor will only assess the condition of the urethra and bladder. If a tumor, local inflammation, or accumulations of indeterminate material is detected at the time of diagnosis, a biopsy can be performed using a manipulation cystoscope.

Preparing for the procedure

Special preparation for the process is not required. To begin with, the urologist asks the patient about complaints and sensations, may appoint a consultation with other specialists. Urine and blood tests are required, and an abdominal ultrasound may also be required. Diagnosis is carried out on an outpatient basis, that is, you do not need to go to the clinic. The patient simply arrives at the appointed time. The day before the diagnosis, you need to abandon the products that form gases: beans, soda, cabbage. Do not eat on the day of the procedure. Before manipulations already in the clinic, the patient needs to empty the bladder.

How is a cystoscopy performed?

For women, this examination is easier than for men. This is due to the anatomy of the urethra, in women it is wide and short. Therefore, the cystoscope tube moves faster and easier, while the patient herself practically does not feel pain. At the time of insertion and removal of the tube, there may be discomfort, but patient reviews confirm that this cannot be called pain. It is very important that the patient during the diagnosis was relaxed and calm. Therefore, when entering the office, it is important to calm down, tell the doctor about your fears, and ask how everything will happen. Information about cystoscopy can serve as emotional preparation.

On the appointed day, the patient comes to the department, for a start she is prepared. Since the process involves intervention and penetration into the body, an agreement is issued, which the patient signs. Then sterile disposable clothes are issued, the medical staff advises the patient, and it is also necessary to empty the bladder. The doctor needs to be told if any medications were taken a few days before. Then the lady is taken to the urologist’s office or to the operating room. The office will be equipped with a gynecological chair, equipment for endoscopic examination. The urologist, the anesthesiologist and the assistant take part in the process. In the office:

1. The patient lies on a chair, sometimes a table is used instead. The position should be semi-sitting, with legs bent. If the patient has problems with the legs or pelvis, the diagnosis can be carried out in the supine position on the side.
2. The genital area is treated with an antiseptic, an anesthetic gel is first injected into the urethra. For very sensitive patients, additional sedatives are used, rarely general anesthesia.
3. Then the cystoscope tube is treated with glycerin so that it easily moves along the canal and does not damage its walls.
4. The device is gently inserted into the urethra, moving towards the bladder. At this moment, the doctor monitors the condition of the ward; in case of severe pain, the procedure can be suspended or canceled. Fussy or forceful advancement of the tube is prohibited. Also, if a woman is very tense, the muscles can interfere with the advancement of the apparatus, the doctor stops the process until the patient relaxes.
5. Then, the remaining urine is pumped out through the cystoscope, and the bladder is filled with saline. This is necessary in order to better examine the organs. In this case, there will also be no pain, only a slight pressure is felt, as if you need to go to the toilet.
6. Through the eyepiece or on the monitor, the urologist examines the walls of the organs, assesses their condition and function. On examination, foci of inflammation, infection, tumors, and stones can be detected.
7. After examination, the fluid is removed through the tube from the bladder. The cystoscope is also slowly withdrawn, at which point the doctor can additionally evaluate the canal. The genital area is once again disinfected, and the patient is taken out of the office.

The whole process takes no more than 20 minutes, for a detailed diagnosis in most cases 10 minutes is enough. If a woman is very worried and the doctor is forced to stop the process, the examination will take longer. Now more and more often medical sleep is used for research, since such a condition of the patient allows the doctor to conduct an examination without haste, and operate the instrument without fear of causing pain. After the procedure, the lady remains in the clinic room for no more than 2 hours. During this time, the urologist draws up a report on the study, and the medical staff monitors the condition of the ward. Then the lady is given a protocol-report, recommendations after the procedure, a treatment plan is outlined.

Contraindications to the procedure

Since cystoscopy is a direct penetration into the body, it is associated with risks and complications. Therefore, it is not carried out for everyone; at the time of the appointment of the examination, the attending physician must take into account contraindications. These include:

• impaired patency of the urethra;
• menstruation;
• bleeding of unknown cause;
• acute inflammation: fever, weakness, nausea;
• exacerbation of infections, sexually transmitted diseases;
• impaired blood coagulation;
• acute period of heart attacks and strokes;
• rupture of the urethra or bladder.

Most of the contraindications are temporary, so the procedure is not canceled, but only postponed until the contraindications are eliminated. Also, for various reasons, a gynecologist, obstetrician-gynecologist, therapist can prohibit cystoscopy in women. If you conduct a study against the background of such incompatible diseases and conditions, the risk of complications after the examination increases.

Results and complications

As a result of such manipulations, the urologist examines the state of the urinary system. Based on the diagnosis, a diagnosis is made, and treatment tactics are chosen. Through the eyepiece of the endoscope or on the monitor, you can see:

• vascular network of organs;
• color and texture of the mucous membrane;
• pus or blood in the cavities of organs;
• ulcers, tumors, foreign bodies and stones;
• foci of inflammation.

Complications occur with improper preparation for the process or improper diagnostics itself. The most dangerous cases include canal damage, it can be trauma, hematoma, or even rupture of some parts of the urethra. This happens with sharp and inaccurate movements of the doctor or the patient herself. If antiseptic standards are not observed, infection can occur, which is extremely rare. Cystoscopy against the background of an acute course of infections, if the patient was not sufficiently examined before the procedure, the infection spreads even more. In the first days after the manipulations, there may be:

• pain in the lower abdomen and lower back;
• cutting pains or burning when urinating;
• blood spots in the urine;
• frequent urination.

Slight pain when going to the toilet or in the lower abdomen is allowed. But, if they do not go away within 3 days, you need to contact your doctor. Isolation of blood from the urethra can be harmless if during the viewing cystoscopy it was necessary to do manipulation. After taking part of the mucosa for analysis (biopsy), blood can be released. However, during a routine examination, this should not happen, the appearance of blood inclusions indicates that the channel has been damaged. The risk of such consequences depends entirely on the skill of the doctor; an experienced and responsible doctor will not have any complications at all.

Where do cystoscopy for women

Such examinations are carried out in public and private clinics. Equipment for cystoscopy is available in every department of urology. When choosing a medical institution, it is worth reading the reviews of real visitors about it, however, this is difficult to do with public hospitals. The difference between a public and a private clinic is the price of the service and the quality of the service. In a state clinic, a viewing cystoscopy will cost 20-40 dollars. However, endoscopes without a camera are still used here, which increases the chance of misdiagnosis. In addition, there is no need to talk about the level of service.

Private medical centers offer this service for $100-150. The cost will include anesthesia, the procedure itself, disposable clothing and a short stay in the clinic. Here, most often they offer to do cystoscopy in a state of medical sleep, so for the patient this process will be quick and painless. The advantage of the private segment is the availability of reviews on the clinic’s website. It is even better to look for reviews on the forum of the city.

When choosing a doctor and clinic, it is better to give preference to a qualified doctor and attentive staff than a cheap service with unpredictable consequences. You should not be afraid and, moreover, avoid such a diagnosis. It gives good results and allows you to quickly get rid of health problems. Therefore, the sooner it is carried out, the sooner life will return to normal.