Overview

A micturating cystourethrogram is a type of X-ray that looks at your bladder and the tube that carries urine from your bladder out of the body (urethra).

Micturating means that we take the X-ray images while you pee. This gives us information about how your bladder fills up and how it empties.

This procedure uses an X-ray method called fluoroscopic imaging. This shows us images in real time, like a live video.

Benefits of a micturating cystourethrogram

You might have a micturating cystourethrogram if you have:

• urinary tract infections (UTIs) that keep coming back
• urinary incontinence (peeing unintentionally)
• recently had surgery

A micturating cystourethrogram helps your doctor to diagnose your condition and recommend which treatments are best for you. It can also find any structural problems or damage in your bladder. 

Risks of a micturating cystourethrogram

A micturating cystourethrogram uses X-rays, which are a type of radiation called ionising radiation. The amount of radiation used in medical X-rays is low and the risks are small.

We weigh up the benefits and risks of doing the procedure before we recommend it for you. Talk to us if you have any questions or concerns.

The radiographer doing your X-ray will make sure the amount of radiation is kept as low as possible. 

Radiation and pregnancy

Radiation can be harmful for an unborn baby.

Before your micturating cystourethrogram, tell us if you’re pregnant or if you think you might be pregnant. We cannot do any procedures that involve radiation if you’re pregnant. 

If you do not use contraception, try to avoid sex from the first day of your period until your appointment. If you have unprotected sex before your appointment, contact us to reschedule your appointment so that it takes place within the first 10 days of your period. This helps to make sure you are not pregnant during your procedure.

If you use contraception, you can have sex as usual.

You’ll be asked to sign a form about your pregnancy risks before your procedure.

Giving your permission (consent)

We want to involve you in decisions about your care and treatment. If you decide to have the procedure or treatment, we’ll ask you to sign a consent form. This says that you understand what’s involved and agree to have the treatment.

Read more about our consent process.

Before the procedure

A micturating cystourethrogram uses a substance called a contrast agent. Contrast agents make X-ray images show up more clearly so we can see your internal organs better.

We use a contrast agent that contains iodine, which some people are allergic to.

You do not need to do anything else to prepare for the procedure. If you take any medicines, keep taking them as normal.

Plan your journey and make sure you arrive on time for your appointment.
 

During the procedure

When you get to hospital, you’ll meet the team who will care for you during your procedure. X-rays are done by:

• a radiologist (a doctor who uses X-rays to diagnose and treat illnesses) 
• a radiographer (a health professional that takes the images) 

Getting ready

We’ll ask you to take off your clothes and put on a hospital gown. You can do this in a private changing room.

Take off any:

• jewellery
• dentures
• glasses 
• metal accessories

Tell your radiologist about:

• any medicines you’re taking
• any allergies you have
• your recent illnesses
• any other medical conditions

We’ll ask you to go to the toilet and empty your bladder. Then, we’ll take you to the fluoroscopy room where you’ll lie down on the X-ray table.

We’ll clean your genital area and cover you with clean towels. We’ll put some local anaesthetic jelly on you to make the procedure more comfortable. This will numb the area so you do not feel any pain.

Inserting a catheter for the contrast agent

We’ll carefully put a thin tube called a catheter into the opening that your urine comes out of (urethra). This might be uncomfortable, but should not be painful. We’ll gently push the catheter into your bladder.

If you’re having a micturating cystourethrogram after an operation, you might already have a catheter in place. If you do, we’ll use this catheter instead of putting in a new one. We will not remove the catheter after the procedure unless your doctor has asked us to.

Taking X-ray images

We’ll put the contrast agent into your bladder through the catheter. As the contrast agent flows into your bladder, we’ll take some X-ray images.

We’ll need to take X-ray images of:

• your bladder when it’s full
• your bladder while you’re peeing
• your bladder after it’s empty

If you feel the urge to pee during this procedure, try to wait until we ask you to pee.

We might ask you to change position so we can see your bladder from different angles. The X-ray equipment will also move around you so we can get the best images we can.

After we take the first set of X-ray images, we’ll remove the catheter and ask you to stand up. We’ll ask you to pee into a pot while we take another set of X-ray images. It might feel strange to pee in front of other people, but this is a normal part of this procedure. We’ll use a screen to cover you so you feel as comfortable as possible.

The radiologist and radiographer will be with you during the procedure. You can ask them any questions and let them know if you feel uncomfortable.

Finishing the procedure

Once we’ve taken all the X-ray images we need, we might give you an injection of antibiotics to reduce the risk of any infection.

The procedure usually takes about 20 minutes. You might have to wait a few minutes while we check the images. It’s important we make sure the images show everything we need to see.

After the procedure

You might feel discomfort when peeing immediately after the procedure. This usually gets better within 12 hours. If you’re concerned, talk to your radiologist or radiographer.

You can leave hospital after your procedure is done.

Most people do not get any side effects after a micturating cystourethrogram. If you feel unwell after leaving hospital, contact the doctor who referred you or a GP.

Getting the results

Your radiologist will examine your X-ray images and write a report about what they see. We’ll send this to the doctor who referred you for the micturating cystourethrogram. Your doctor will discuss the results with you and talk about any treatment you might need.

You should already have a follow-up appointment scheduled with the doctor who referred you. If not, contact them to arrange one.