A cystoscopy is a way for a doctor to look inside your bladder. They use a soft flexible tube, smaller than the diameter of a pencil (but not much smaller) and insert it through your urethra and into your bladder. There is a small camera within it and your bladder is slightly filled with sterile water as the scope looks around your bladder. They check the walls and the opening to the urethra coming out of the bladder.
I agree with the 2 other commenters...if the doctor cannot or will not use anesthesia, or even lidocaine...seek another urologist that will. It is an uncomfortable procedure....more so for a man.
I am a woman and have had 2 natural child births and NOTHING has been as painful for me as the last cystoscope I had done l;ast month. Never again without something to numb me.
Stand your ground and good wishes.
I agree with gymdandee. I had it done two times without anesthesia. It is a dialation of the urethra. After the second time, I told the doctor I would never ever do it again. It was done in the doctor's office so anesthesia was not an option. I'd rather deal with the occasional UTI that meds takes care of than go through that awful pain again.
If you're going for one ask to be anesthetized! my father had this procedure about every 6 months without anesthesia it's not pleasant!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cystoscopy