FAQs

You should call your healthcare professional if you notice any of the following:

• bladder spasms (painful cramps and sudden urine leaks)
• frequent spots of blood in your urine, or an episode of heavier bleeding
• difficulty passing the catheter into your bladder
• any signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI)
• consistently draining smaller than usual amounts of urine
• urine leaks between catheterisations
• changes in skin colour or broken skin where you insert your catheter
• difficulty obtaining supplies

It’s not unusual to sometimes have an abnormal urine test (known as a urinalysis) and this doesn’t always mean you have an infection. You should only be treated for a UTI if you’re showing symptoms.

Remember, your urine test is just a snapshot in time, and lots of different things can impact the result. Because of this, performing these tests routinely is not recommended; such tests are recommended only if there’s a change in possible signs of UTI. If you have any concerns, always talk to your healthcare professional.

While this may be alarming, don’t worry. Many things can impact how urine looks and smells, including foods like asparagus. You may also just need to drink more fluids, unless otherwise indicated by your physician. Between 1.5 and 2 liters a day is recommended, and most of that should be non-caffeinated and non-alcoholic beverages, like water.

Many different things can affect urine colour, and it isn’t always a cause for concern. Simple things like eating certain foods (like beetroot/beets) or certain medications (such as vitamins) can change urine colour, or you may just have drunk less fluids than usual, or sweated more, that day.

If you notice your urine is cloudy, very dark, or looks pink or red, you should contact your healthcare professional.

Your healthcare professional should be the first person you contact with any medical questions. You might also be interested in meeting with a support group to talk with others who are going through similar experiences and to find emotional support.

Ask your nurse if there’re any of these groups locally, but even if there aren’t any face-to-face
groups locally, you can find virtual groups online.

A little blood (small visible spots) in your urine can be common, especially in the early days when you’re still adapting to catheterising. It can be a sign of improper placement of the catheter, especially if you haven’t spotted blood before.

If you’re frequently noticing blood in your urine, bright red blood that persists, continuous bleeding, or clots seek medical attention, preferably from your healthcare professional. If you’re taking anticoagulant medications, mention it to your healthcare professional, as they can cause bleeding.

Keep a note of how often you’re noticing blood in your urine and talk to your healthcare professional about this. They might suggest a different catheter model for you – make sure you always use each catheter following its instructions.

It can be tricky to insert a catheter at first, but make sure you never force it. If you’re having trouble with passing the catheter into your bladder, try some of the following:

• relax and take a few deep breaths
• try coughing
• try a different position
• try adding more lubricant if you’re using an uncoated catheter
• re-adjust the angle of the penis to 45 degrees pointed to the ceiling (for men)

Never continue with the insertion if you feel any kind of resistance. If you fully or partially remove the catheter, don’t reattempt to insert the same one, as this can lead to infection. If you continue having issues, contact your healthcare professional for advice.

It’s important not to panic, as becoming tense can make it more difficult to remove the catheter.
Take a few minutes to try to relax. Cough while attempting to remove it or try a new position. You
can also try having a warm bath. If you’re still struggling, contact your healthcare professional for advice.