Urinary Catheterization

What is urinary catheterization?

Urinary catheterization is the insertion of a thin, hollow tube through your urethra and into your bladder. The bladder stores your urine and the urethra is the opening where urine comes out.

When is it used?

Urinary catheterization has many uses, including:

getting a sample of urine for lab tests, for example, to test for infection
emptying the bladder when you are not able to urinate normally
checking how well your kidneys are working during surgery or while you are hospitalized
checking your water balance (called intake and output) during illness
keeping the bladder empty during surgery.

How do I prepare for urinary catheterization?

You do not need to do anything to prepare for this procedure.

What happens during the procedure?

Catheters are usually inserted into the urethra while you are lying on your back. Your genital area will be cleaned with antibacterial soap, with special attention to the area where the urine comes out. In women this is just above the vagina. In men it is normally at the tip of the penis. In men who are uncircumcised, the foreskin will need to be pulled back to cleanse the head of the penis.

A sterile towel will be put on your thighs and abdomen to help make sure that the catheter stays sterile (bacteria-free). Your health care provider will use sterile gloves to hold the catheter. Lubricating jelly will be put on the tip of the catheter and it will be placed gently into the urethra. In women it goes in for just an inch or two. For men it goes into the full length of the penis.

A bag will be attached to the catheter to collect urine. If the catheter is placed to get a urine sample, once the urine has been collected, the catheter will be removed. If the catheter needs to stay in place for continued emptying or checking of your kidneys or water balance, then a tiny balloon (which you will not feel) will be inflated inside the bladder to hold the catheter in place. The tubing attached to the collecting bag will be taped to your leg.

What happens after the procedure?

After the procedure the area will be rinsed off. If the catheter did not have to stay in, you may feel some burning the next few times you urinate. The burning is from irritation of the urethra by the catheter. If the catheter is left in, you may have an irritating feeling that you need to urinate, even though your urine is passing into the collecting bag continuously as your kidneys produce it.

While you have the catheter, it is important to keep the bag below your pelvic area to keep the urine in the bag and tube from draining backwards into the bladder and prevent infection. For example, you may have a bag that can be strapped to your leg and fits under slacks or dresses so that it does not show.

If you are going home with a catheter, make sure that you have written instructions on how to care for the catheter. Ask your provider about anything you do not understand.

What are the benefits of this procedure?

Urinary catheterization has many possible benefits. For example, it may:

Give relief by emptying a full, painful bladder.
Show how well the kidneys are working.
Help diagnose urinary problems such as infection.

What are the risks of this procedure?

You will have some discomfort when the catheter is removed. Generally, the longer you have had the catheter, the longer the discomfort lasts. It may take several days for all stinging feelings during urination to stop.
The catheter may cause a bladder infection. This usually happens when the catheter has been in place for several days or weeks.
It can be painful and some tissue may be mildly damaged if you accidentally remove the catheter without deflating the balloon that keeps it in place.

When should I call my health care provider?

Call your provider right away if

The urine in the tube is bloody or cloudy, or it smells bad.
The catheter is causing constant pain, either in your urethra or in the area of your bladder.
You have a temperature of 101 degrees F (38.3 degrees C) or higher and there is no obvious reason for the fever.
There is little or no urine draining into the catheter and bag.

Call during office hours if:

You have questions about catheter care or how long the catheter needs to stay in.
You have questions about test results.
You need to make a follow-up appointment.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

HIA File URI5362F.HTM Release 9.0/2006