Indications for Urethral Catheterization in a Female Relief of acute or chronic urinary retention, such as due to urethral obstruction (obstructive uropathy) or neurogenic bladder Treatment of urinary incontinence Monitoring of urine output Measurement of postvoid residual urine volume Collection of sterile urine for culture Diagnostic studies of the lower genitourinary tract Bladder irrigation or instillation of medication Contraindications to Urethral Catheterization in a Female Absolute contraindications None Relative contraindications History of urethral strictures Current urinary tract infection (UTI) Prior urethral reconstruction Suspected urethral injury * Recent urologic surgery History of difficult catheter placement * Urethral injury may be suspected following blunt trauma if patients have blood at the urethral meatus (most important sign), inability to void, or perineal or labial ecchymosis, and / or edema.