Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is involuntary loss of urine to an extent that is a social or hygienic problem. It is very common in women. 10% of women in their 30s have it and by the age of 65 up to 30% suffer. Stress incontinence of urine is the most common type.

Stress Incontinence is the unwanted loss of urine on effort, exertion or a physical stress, such as coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting heavy objects or physical exercise

An overactive bladder is a common problem that often causes distressing and embarrassing symptoms such as:

Suddenly having a desperate need to pass urine

Leaking urine if you don’t get to the toilet on time

Having to pass urine many times a day, even when you haven’t drunk much

Needing to get up more than twice at night for the toilet

Wetting the bed

This test is arranged to test your bladder and help us find the cause of your urinary symptoms or bladder problem.

The test takes 30 - 45 minutes to complete.

A thin telescope (cystoscope) is passed into your bladder to enable inspection of the inside of your bladder. Sometimes a biopsy may be taken and the piece of tissue sent to the laboratory. 

Cystoscopy can either be done using local anaesthetic with you awake or it can be done under general anaesthetic (asleep). Your doctor will discuss with you the reason for choosing the type of anaesthetic