What Causes Bleeding At Catheter Tip ?

Posted on Wed, 23 Jul 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 23 Jul 2014 Answered on

Fri, 8 Aug 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I have to catherization on a fairly frequent basis...about once every three days...Tonight, I catherized as usual but was surprised that no urine came out..(but I had just peed)...however, when I removed the catherer...blood came out...
What does this mean and what should I do?

Answered by Dr. Sudhir (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Urethral injury needs to be ruled out.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

If at all minimal urine came out, you can assume that catheter tip did reached your urinary bladder.But catheter tip might have injured urethral mucosa on its way up.

If not even drops of urine came out , maybe catheter coiled up in urethra, with bleed indicating possible urethral injury.

I would suggest you to bring this to notice of your doctor asap.

Doctor will keep you catheterised for few days , giving urethra chance of healing without stricture formation. A injured urethra, if not catheterised, may heal with stricture.

So I would suggest a continuous catheterisation for few days.

Hope this helps.Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju