I’m having trouble passing my catheter, what should I do?
Does your catheter get almost all the way in but then stops?
Sphincters are present just before the bladder and sometimes these can remain tightly shut. Ways to assist you to pass the catheter are to:
- Cough when you get to the difficult spot
- Apply slight constant pressure
- Use extra lubrication
- Increase the size of the catheter
- Use a specialist catheter listed in equipment
Does your catheter get a little bit of the way in and then stops?
This could be due to a stricture. This is a narrowing of the urethra – the tube that is connected to your bladder. You can try:
- Using extra lubrication
- Using a smaller catheter
- Surgical intervention may be needed to help widen this pathway. Contact the spinal urology nurse to find out more.
