Catheterization is a way of introducing into a cavity in the human body in order to either remove or inject some sort of fluid. Urinary catheterization has been proven to reduce the risk of either kidney damage or infection by making sure that the bladder can be adequately emptied at regular periods, and can be very useful for people who are suffering from problems with their bladder such as the likes of bladder obstruction, incontinence or urinary retention.

A urinary catheter itself is a clean, thin hollow tube which is normally made from either rubber or very soft plastic. The whole process of emptying the bladder via catheterization is known as intermittent clean self-catheterization (ICSC) which gives a person back a sense of control over their own bladder and can thus ensure that they stay dry at all times. Intermittent clean self-catheterization equipment is specially designed to make certain that it neither interferes with nor prohibits the possibility of a normal sexual relationship for those who use it.

In addition to bladder obstruction, incontinence or urinary retention, other kinds of condition which people can suffer from for which catheterization can prove to be a help for is any long term chronic problem that can prevent people from relieving their bladder in the normal fashion such as pelvic nerve damage or some kind of spinal injury. Urinary catheterization can also be employed as a temporary measure to assist people with retraining their bladders to empty. Certain types of surgery including the likes of trans-urethral resection can also require catheterization for the patients afterwards. An indwelling catheter is also commonly employed for the first couple of days following some kind of major surgery or simply as a way of monitoring the fluid output in those patients who are in receipt of intravenous fluids.

Intermittent clean self-catheterization has been known to cause urinary tract infections even with the use of the most carefully cleaned equipment. In some cases, bacteria can colonize the urinary tract without actually causing an infection. The patient concerned needs to be thoroughly trained in intermittent clean self-catheterization hygiene and techniques by either their personal physician or by a nurse.  Patients who are at a higher risk of infection than most (those who rely on long term catheterization, for example) are sometimes prescribed antibiotics. Another possible complication of urinary catheterizations includes injury to the bladder due to the catheter being inserted in an incorrect manner.