Whenever a catheter is inserted into the bladder there is a risk that the tissue is damaged and this may cause the tissue to bleed.
Bleeding may occur if the catheter is pulled or not positioned properly. This will usually resolve once the positioning has been changed.
If you have had your catheter in for more than 10 years, and there are no obvious reasons for your bleeding, it is important that you speak to your spinal urology nurse as these instances should always be investigated.
Signs and symptoms of bleeding
You may notice blood in your urine. The blood may be mixed in, making the urine look pink or red in colour. The blood may also be clotted and look like red chunks.
Management options
Usually bleeding is nothing to worry about and it will normally stop on its own. If you have a permanent catheter (IDC or SPC) you should keep an eye on the urine in your bag and pay attention to the colour.
If the bleeding doesn’t stop or the urine becomes very red in colour, and becomes hard to see through, speak to your GP or the spinal urology nurse. If you are very worried about the bleeding then go to the emergency department at your local hospital for advice.
If the blood is clotted, your catheter is at risk of blocking. It is important to keep an eye on how much urine is draining into your bag by checking at timed intervals. If you suspect that the catheter is blocked you should change your catheter.
If you have had your catheter in for more than 10 years, and there are no obvious reasons for your bleeding, it is important that you speak to your spinal urology nurse as these instances should always be investigated.
