Cystourethrogram

How To Prepare

Tell your doctor if:

  • You are or might be pregnant.
  • You have symptoms of a urinary tract infection.
  • You are allergic to the iodine dye used in the contrast material or any other substance that contains iodine. Also tell your doctor if you have asthma, are allergic to any medicines, or have ever had a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis), such as after being stung by a bee or from eating shellfish.
  • Within the past 4 days, you have had an X-ray test using barium contrast material, such as a barium enema, or have taken a medicine (such as Pepto-Bismol) that contains bismuth. Barium and bismuth can interfere with test results.
  • You have an intrauterine device (IUD) in place.

You may be asked to sign a consent form authorizing this procedure. Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results may mean. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information formClick here to view a form.(What is a PDF document?).

If you are breast-feeding, give your baby formula for 1 to 2 days after the test.


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Author: Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNCLast Updated: July 17, 2006
Medical Review: Martin Gabica, MD - Family Medicine
Avery L. Seifert, MD - Urology

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Topic Contents
 Test Overview
 Why It Is Done
Arrow PointerHow To Prepare
 How It Is Done
 How It Feels
 Risks
 Results
 What Affects the Test
 What To Think About
 References
 Credits