A catheter is a flexible tube inserted into a body cavity, duct, or vessel, most often used in urinary health to drain urine from the bladder. The most common type is the indwelling, or Foley, catheter, which is placed through the urethra and held in the bladder by a small, inflated balloon. The simple answer to whether you can feel a catheter is yes; however, the experience varies significantly. Sensations range from brief, sharp discomfort during placement to a persistent, background awareness while the device is in place, depending on the individual and the catheter’s location.
Sensations During Placement and Removal
The process of inserting a urinary catheter is generally quick, but it can produce acute, temporary discomfort. As the lubricated tube passes through the urethra, the sensation is often described as pressure or a brief, stinging burn. This burning is caused by friction against the sensitive urethral lining but is typically short-lived, especially when anesthetic gels are used. The sensation may be more intense for males due to the longer urethra.
Once the tip reaches the bladder, there may be a momentary feeling of fullness or a sudden urge to urinate before the tube is secured. Indwelling catheters are secured by inflating a small retention balloon inside the bladder with sterile water. When the catheter is removed, the balloon is deflated first, causing a slight pulling sensation in the lower abdomen. The tube is then gently withdrawn, often creating a brief friction-like feeling. After removal, a temporary burning sensation or irritation during the first few times urinating is common, usually resolving within one to three days.
The Ongoing Experience of Having a Catheter
Once an indwelling catheter is secured, a persistent awareness of the foreign object is the most common experience. Patients often report a constant feeling of pressure or a dull ache in the lower abdomen or bladder area. This sensation is usually caused by the inflated balloon resting against the bladder wall, acting as a mechanical irritant. The presence of the catheter can also trigger a phantom urge to urinate, known as catheter-related bladder discomfort (CRBD).
The bladder may react to the catheter by contracting involuntarily, leading to bladder spasms. These spasms feel like sharp, intense cramping or sudden lower abdominal pain, similar to menstrual cramps. Spasms occur because the bladder attempts to expel the foreign object, specifically the balloon. Securing the catheter properly to the leg or abdomen helps minimize tugging, which can reduce the frequency and intensity of these contractions. These chronic sensations are generally considered a normal reaction and can often be managed with proper securement, hydration, or prescribed mild muscle relaxants.
When Sensation Signals a Problem
While some discomfort is normal with a catheter, specific sensations and symptoms can signal a more serious complication requiring immediate medical attention.
Signs of Infection or Trauma
Any sudden onset of severe, unrelenting pain in the abdomen, pelvis, or lower back should be considered a warning sign. Sharp, burning pain during urination, or new pain around the catheter insertion site accompanied by redness, swelling, or discharge, may indicate a localized infection or trauma.
Signs of Blockage or CAUTI
A lack of urine draining into the collection bag, despite adequate fluid intake, paired with a feeling of painful fullness, suggests a possible blockage. Blockages can be caused by kinks in the tubing, blood clots, or sediment accumulation. Other systemic signs of a problem include fever, chills, or new confusion, which strongly suggest a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). If the urine becomes cloudy, dark, or foul-smelling, or if large blood clots are present, a healthcare provider should be contacted right away.