Object in Urethra: Care Instructions
Your Care Instructions
The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. If you have an object in your urethra, you may have pain or bleeding. You may also get an infection.
If the object moves to the bladder, it can damage the bladder.
After the object is taken out, your urethra may feel sore or irritated. It may hurt or burn when you urinate.
Your doctor may put in a urinary catheter. This is a flexible plastic tube that drains urine from your bladder into a bag. The bag usually attaches to your thigh.
You may get a catheter if you can't urinate. Or you may get one to give your urethra time to heal. Your doctor will tell you how to care for it and when it can be taken out.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
How can you care for yourself at home?
- If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
- Take pain medicines exactly as directed.
- If the doctor gave you a prescription medicine for pain, take it as prescribed.
- If you are not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your doctor if you can take an over-the-counter medicine.
- If you feel like you want to put an object in your urethra again, talk with your doctor or a counsellor. It's harmful to put objects in your urethra.
When should you call for help?
Call your doctor or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have a new or higher fever.
- You have new or increasing pain in your urethra.
- You have new or worse symptoms of a urinary problem. For example:
- You have blood or pus in your urine.
- You have chills or body aches.
- It hurts worse to urinate.
- You have groin or belly pain.
- You have pain in your back just below your rib cage (the flank area).
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor or nurse advice line if:
- You do not get better as expected.
Current as of: November 15, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
