How painful is a cystoscopy?

A cystoscopy is generally painless because the patient is given general or local anesthesia to numb the area around the urethra, according to Healthline. During the procedure, the patient might feel the urge to urinate or a burning sensation in the bladder.

A cystoscopy is a short outpatient procedure that is done to determine the health of the bladder or urethra, states Mayo Clinic. The doctor inserts a cystoscope into the urethra and puts a sterile solution into the bladder. The procedure can be used in conjunction with other tests to diagnose urinary tract diseases. Cystoscopy is considered to be safe but does have some risks, such as infection or bleeding from the urethra.