Prostate Treatment & Retrograde Ejaculation

Q. I am 50, and I have suffered from BPH for a few years now. Recently I had an ultrasound and biopsies (negative) of the right and left lobules. I also had cystoscopy of the bladder. What exactly is the cystoscopy procedure about? I had been told that it involves a transurethral procedure and may cause retro-ejaculating problems.

A. It sounds as though you’re confusing two similar procedures that have different purposes and effects. A cystoscopy is a common diagnostic procedure in which a doctor passes a tiny telescopic lens through your urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the penis) up to your bladder. This can be done in the office, with either a rigid or flexible scope that enables the doctor to view the entire surface of the lining of the bladder. Cystoscopy is usually performed when blood is found in the urine, or if there are other signs of a problem with the bladder.