Female Urinary Retention

Gender words are used here to talk about anatomy and health risk. Please use this information in a way that works best for you and your doctor as you talk about your care.

Urinary retention means you are having trouble urinating. In some cases you may not be able to pass any urine at all. This condition occurs even though your bladder is full.

For females, the most common cause of urinary retention is a bladder infection. Certain medicines can also cause this problem. Changes in the body, such as uterine prolapse and severe constipation, can also cause it.

Some people have no symptoms. For others, common symptoms include:

• Bladder or lower-belly pain or fullness.
• Belly swelling.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Back pain.
• Frequent urination.
• Feeling that the bladder is still full after urinating.
• Not being able to control the release of urine (incontinence).

This condition is treated by putting a tube (catheter) into the bladder to drain the urine. This gives relief right away. The catheter may need to stay in place for a few days. The catheter has a balloon on the tip. This is inflated after the catheter is put in the bladder. This prevents the catheter from falling out.

• If you were given antibiotics to treat a bladder infection, take them until they are used up. Or take them until your doctor tells you to stop. It's important to finish the antibiotics even if you feel better. This is to make sure your infection has cleared.
• If a catheter was left in place, it's important to keep bacteria from getting into the collection bag. Don't disconnect the catheter from the collection bag.
• Use a leg band to secure the drainage tube so it does not pull on the catheter. Drain the collection bag when it becomes full, using the drain spout at the bottom of the bag.
• Don't pull on or try to take out your catheter. This will harm your urethra. The catheter must be removed by a health care provider.

Follow up with your doctor as advised.

If a catheter was left in place, it can often be removed in 3 to 7 days. Some conditions require that the catheter stays in longer. Your doctor will tell you when to come back to have the catheter removed.

Contact your doctor right away if you have:

• A fever of 100.4ºF (38ºC) or higher, or as directed by your doctor.
• Bladder or lower-belly pain or fullness.
• Belly swelling, nausea, vomiting, or back pain.
• Blood or urine leakage around the catheter.
• Bloody urine coming from the catheter (if a new symptom).
• Weakness, dizziness, or fainting.
• Confusion or change in normal level of alertness.
• A problem with your catheter (it falls out or stops draining for 6 hours).