Cystoscopy in Females: Is There a Difference Between Rigid and Flex Cystoscopy, and Does it Require Local Anasthesia?

Cystoscopy in Females: Is There a Difference Between Rigid and Flex Cystoscopy, and Does it Require Local Anasthesia?

Women arriving to the Urology department outpatient clinic at Assaf-Harofeh Medical Center in order to undergo a cystoscopy examination will be recruited.

Patients will be randomly assigned to one of four groups by method of cystoscopy (flexible and rigid) and by use of anesthesia to the introitus.

Pain levels will be recorded prior to the examination, during entrance of the cystoscope in the urethral meatus, immediately after the examination and 15 minutes after conclusion.

Inclusion Criteria:

• All women referred to elective outpatient cystoscopy.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Known urethral stricture.
• Known allergy to lubricant/anesthesia gel.
• Patients under the age of 18 (minors).
• Patients with current Urinary Tract Infections.
• Chronic pelvic pain (e.g Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome.
• Known neurlogical or other chronic pain syndrome requiring chronic analgesia medication.
• Mentally incapable for consensual agreement of participation.