Female urinary catheterization involves inserting a lubricated catheter into the urethra and inflating a balloon to keep it in place. The catheter size ranges from 12-18 French and is typically 6 inches long for indwelling catheters. Common materials are latex, polyurethane, and silicone. Catheterization is indicated for conditions like urinary retention, output monitoring during procedures or surgery, and incontinence. Long-term use can cause complications such as infections, injuries, stones, and potentially bladder cancer.

1. Female Urinary Catheterization
Lt. Anurag Danda

2. Steps of Catheterisation
• Position the patient on her back with her knees
apart and her feet together.
• Open a sterile catheterisation kit.
• Put on the gloves.
• Open the antiseptic solution and the lubricant.
• Place the sterile drape over the patient.
• Test the balloon if you are inserting a Foley’s
catheter.

3. • Apply a generous amount of lubricant or
lidocaine jelly to the end of the catheter.
• Use your non-dominant hand to separate the
labia minora.
• Don’t test the balloon of a silicon catheter.
• Clean the vulva with the antiseptic.
• Find the urethra meatus.
• Insert the catheter-Grasp the catheter no more
than 2 inches from the end and insert it into the
urethra meatus,angling it slightly upward.
• When you see the flow of urine from the
catheter,continue inserting it for another 1-2
inches (3-5 cm).

4. • Inflate the balloon if you are using a Foley’s
catheter to keep it in place.-capacity printed
on inflation valve.After inflation,pull gently on
the catheter to position the balloon against
the bladder neck.
• Tape the catheter to the patient’s leg and
attach a urine collection bag.

5. Size of catheter
• The female indwelling catheter (suprapubic) is
6 inches long and comes in sizes 12Fr-18Fr.
• Size 12 catheters have successfully been used
in female patients with urinary restriction.

6. Types of catheter materials:
• Latex
• Polyurethane
• Silicone

7. Indications
• Acute/chronic urinary retention
• Orthopaedic procedures that limit a patient’s
movement
• Urine output monitoring
• Urinary incontience-Stress,Urge
• Intra-op : to empty the urinary bladder
• During LSCS

8. Effects of long-term use
• UTI
• Sepsis
• Urethral injury
• Bladder stones
• Haematuria
• Bladder cancer-foll. many yrs of use