Small amounts of blood, stringy clots or debris can appear in your urine while you recover from robotic radical prostatectomy, particularly while your urinary catheter remains in place. Your healing surgical tissues and irritation caused by movement of the catheter can both contribute to temporary blood staining.
Your bleeding should not become progressively heavier. If you pass repeated large clots, develop bright-red or heavy bleeding, experience increasing bladder pain or notice that little or no urine is entering your catheter bag, you should contact your surgical team promptly because a clot may be obstructing urine drainage.
Why Can Blood Clots Form After Surgery?
Radical prostatectomy involves removing your prostate and reconnecting your bladder to your urethra. Small blood vessels around these healing tissues may temporarily bleed during your recovery.
A small amount of bleeding can mix with your urine and coagulate to form small clots. You may also notice other debris in the catheter tubing or drainage bag while the urinary tract and surgical tissues continue to heal.
Is Blood in the Urine Common?
Light blood staining can occur during recovery after radical prostatectomy, particularly while your urinary catheter remains in place. Movement of the catheter and healing tissues can sometimes make the urine appear pink or lightly blood-stained.
The bleeding should tend to settle rather than become progressively heavier. Contact your clinical team promptly if your urine becomes bright red, the amount of blood increases, you pass large clots or urine stops draining normally through the catheter.
CUH describes blood staining as common during recovery but specifically advises contacting the prostatectomy team if large clots or solid debris appear because they may cause blockage. NHS catheter guidance also advises medical assessment for bright-red blood.
Can the Catheter Cause Bleeding?
Yes. Movement of your catheter can irritate your bladder and urinary channel. This irritation can cause temporary inflammation and mild blood staining during your recovery.
Cambridge University Hospitals explains that catheter-related bladder inflammation can cause blood staining as you become more active after surgery. You may notice your urine looks slightly more pink or red after movement, but it should generally settle rather than become progressively heavier.
Are Small Clots Always Dangerous?
Small traces of blood or debris can occur with your catheter and do not necessarily mean there is a serious complication. Larger clots or solid pieces of debris may block urine drainage and should be assessed by your clinical team.
Small Clots and Catheter Recovery
| Situation | What It Means | What To Do |
| Small blood traces | Can occur during catheter recovery | Monitor as advised |
| Small debris | May be seen in your urine during healing | Usually does not indicate a serious problem |
| Larger clots | May interfere with urine drainage | Contact your clinical team |
| Solid pieces of debris | Could potentially obstruct the catheter | Seek medical advice |
| Reduced urine drainage | May indicate a blockage | Contact your clinical team promptly |
| Increasing bleeding | Bleeding is becoming heavier or persistent | Seek medical advice |
Why Are Large Blood Clots More Concerning?
A larger blood clot can obstruct your catheter while it is in place or interfere with urine flow after it has been removed. When urine cannot leave your bladder properly, you may develop increasing pressure, fullness or pain in your lower abdomen.
You should not wait for a suspected blockage to clear by itself. A blocked catheter after radical prostatectomy can require prompt professional treatment, including assessment of your bladder and, when appropriate, a catheter washout performed by trained healthcare professionals.
How Do You Know If Your Catheter Is Blocked?
You may notice that little or no urine is entering your drainage bag, or that most of your urine is leaking around the catheter rather than draining through it. Your bladder may also feel increasingly full, uncomfortable or painful.
You can check that your drainage bag is below the level of your bladder and that the catheter tubing is not kinked or twisted. If urine still does not drain, particularly if your bladder is becoming uncomfortable, you should contact your surgical team or urgent medical service promptly.
What If Urine Is Leaking Around the Catheter?
Urine can sometimes leak around your catheter because of bladder spasms, irritation or pressure when you open your bowels. If most of your urine continues to drain normally into the catheter bag, occasional bypassing does not necessarily mean that the catheter is blocked.
If very little urine is entering your bag or most of your urine is leaking around the catheter, you should seek advice because blockage needs to be considered. NHS guidance specifically notes that leakage around a catheter can be a sign of obstruction.
Can Activity Increase the Bleeding?
You may notice slightly more blood staining as you become more mobile because movement can cause your catheter to irritate your bladder or healing urinary tract. Cambridge University Hospitals specifically describes this as a recognised occurrence after radical prostatectomy.
You should reduce the activity that appears to trigger increased bleeding and follow the restrictions given by your surgical team. If your urine becomes increasingly red, you pass larger clots or the bleeding fails to settle, you should contact your team rather than assuming that activity is the only cause.
Should You Drink More Water?
You should maintain the fluid intake recommended by your surgical team while your catheter remains in place. Adequate hydration helps maintain urine flow through the catheter and may help prevent debris from accumulating within the drainage system.
You should not force excessive amounts of water or ignore a fluid restriction prescribed for another medical condition. Postoperative fluid targets differ between centres; for example, CUH advises about two litres of fluid each day while the catheter remains in place.
Can You Flush a Blocked Catheter Yourself?
You should not flush, remove or reposition your postoperative catheter unless your urology team has specifically trained and authorised you to do so. Your catheter passes through the newly healing connection between your bladder and urethra, so inappropriate manipulation could damage this area.
If you think your catheter is blocked, contact your prostatectomy team or the urgent service listed in your discharge instructions. CUH specifically advises that catheter removal at this early postoperative stage should be managed by appropriately trained urology professionals.
Can Blood Clots Appear After Catheter Removal?
You may occasionally notice blood staining or small debris while your urinary tract continues healing after catheter removal. Mild blood staining can occur as your bladder and urethra recover from surgery.
- Mild blood staining: Small amounts of blood may appear as your bladder and urethra continue to heal
- Small debris: You may occasionally notice small pieces of material in your urine during the recovery period
- Heavy bleeding: New or increasing bleeding should not automatically be considered part of routine recovery
- Larger clots: Passing larger blood clots should be discussed with your surgical team
- Persistent bleeding: Seek medical advice if bleeding becomes heavier or does not begin to settle
Some blood staining can occur during normal healing after catheter removal. However, heavier bleeding, larger clots or symptoms that are getting worse should be assessed by your surgical team so that any complications can be identified promptly.
Could Infection Cause Blood or Clots?
A urinary infection can sometimes cause blood in the urine, particularly after catheter use, but blood or clots alone do not confirm an infection. Your clinical team will consider whether you also have symptoms such as fever, shivering, lower abdominal or back pain, cloudy or unpleasant-smelling urine or feeling generally unwell.
Fever, shivering, worsening pain, cloudy urine or feeling generally unwell alongside bleeding should prompt medical assessment. The NHS identifies infection and bleeding as recognised catheter-related complications.
Can Blood-Thinning Medicines Affect Bleeding?
Blood-thinning medicines can contribute to visible urinary bleeding, but some men are deliberately prescribed anticoagulant injections after robotic prostatectomy to reduce the risk of a blood clot in the legs or lungs. UCLH, for example, may prescribe postoperative blood-thinning injections for 28 days.
You should not stop, delay or change your anticoagulant, antiplatelet medicine or prescribed postoperative injections because you see blood in your urine without first obtaining medical advice. If your bleeding is increasing or you are passing clots while taking these medicines, contact your surgical team promptly so that they can advise you safely.
Are These the Same as Blood Clots in Your Legs?
No. The clots you see in your urine are collections of blood that have formed within your urinary tract. A deep vein thrombosis is a clot within a vein, usually in your leg, and is a completely different postoperative complication.
You should seek urgent medical advice if you develop new one-sided leg swelling, pain, warmth or tenderness. Sudden unexplained breathlessness, chest pain, coughing up blood, collapse or severe breathing difficulty can indicate a pulmonary embolism and require emergency medical help.
When Is Urinary Bleeding More Concerning?
Your bleeding deserves prompt assessment when your urine becomes increasingly dark red, large clots repeatedly appear or your urine drainage becomes difficult. These changes may indicate more significant bleeding or a blockage within your urinary tract.
Heavy bleeding should not simply be monitored at home without advice from your postoperative team. You should contact your clinical team promptly if your bleeding is becoming heavier or you are passing repeated large clots.
Which Symptoms Need Urgent Help?
You should obtain urgent medical assessment if your catheter stops draining, your bladder becomes increasingly full or painful, you repeatedly pass large clots or your bleeding becomes substantially heavier. Fever, shaking chills, severe pain or feeling significantly unwell also require prompt assessment because infection or another postoperative complication may be present.
You should seek emergency help if you develop uncontrolled heavy bleeding with faintness or collapse, severe breathing difficulty, significant chest pain or another sudden severe deterioration. Tell the healthcare team that you have recently undergone radical prostatectomy and whether your urinary catheter is still in place.
Should You Reduce Exercise?
Follow your surgeon’s instructions about gradually increasing your activity. Heavy lifting or strenuous exercise should generally be avoided during your early healing.
If you notice increased bleeding following activity, you should reduce your activity and monitor whether it settles. You should contact your clinical team if the bleeding does not settle or if clots appear.
What Will Your Medical Team Check?
Your clinical team may assess how much you are bleeding, whether urine is draining properly, whether your catheter is obstructed and whether you have signs of infection or significant blood loss. They may also assess your bladder if you have increasing pain, fullness or reduced urine output.
If a clot is blocking your catheter, trained staff may need to clear the obstruction or manage the catheter in another appropriate way. You should not try to replicate these procedures yourself because your bladder-to-urethra connection is still healing.
How Is This Different From Simple Blood-Stained Urine?
Light blood staining without large clots or drainage problems is commonly reported during your recovery. You may notice mild blood staining in your urine while your urinary tract continues to heal.
Large clots create an additional concern because they can physically block your urine flow. You should contact your clinical team if you notice large clots, reduced urine drainage or increasing discomfort.
UK Guidance Note
Blood staining and small amounts of debris can occur while you recover with a urinary catheter after radical prostatectomy. NHS guidance recommends prompt medical advice when you pass large blood clots, believe your catheter is blocked or develop bright-red bleeding.
Your postoperative instructions should take priority because catheter management and fluid recommendations vary between prostatectomy centres. You should use the contact number supplied by your surgical team whenever you are uncertain whether your bleeding or catheter drainage is normal.
Myth vs Fact
| Myth | What You Should Know |
| Any blood after your surgery means something has gone wrong. | Your mild blood staining can occur while your tissues and catheterised urinary tract heal. |
| Every small stringy clot is an emergency. | Your small debris may occur, but increasing or large clots and drainage problems need medical advice. |
| You can wait for your blocked catheter to clear itself. | Your suspected blockage needs prompt assessment because retained urine can become painful and damaging. |
| You should remove your catheter if a clot is blocking it. | You should leave catheter manipulation to appropriately trained healthcare professionals. |
| Drinking as much water as possible will stop the bleeding. | You should remain appropriately hydrated according to your surgical team’s advice; excessive fluid is not a treatment for significant bleeding. |
| You should stop your blood thinner when you see blood. | You should not alter your prescribed anticoagulant or antiplatelet treatment without medical advice. |
| Urinary clots are the same as a DVT. | Your urinary clot forms within the urinary tract, whereas a DVT forms in a vein. |
| Increasing bladder pain with no catheter drainage is normal. | Your symptoms may indicate catheter blockage and require prompt assessment. |
| Heavy bright-red bleeding should simply be watched at home. | Your heavy or worsening bleeding needs prompt medical assessment. |
Key Takeaways
- You may notice mild blood staining or small stringy debris while your catheter remains in place.
- Your urine may become slightly more blood-stained as you become more active, but it should settle rather than progressively worsen.
- You should contact your surgical team if you pass repeated or large blood clots.
- You need prompt assessment if little or no urine is draining into your catheter bag.
- You should check that your catheter tubing is not kinked and that your drainage bag remains below bladder level.
- You should not flush, remove or reposition your postoperative catheter unless your specialist team has specifically instructed you to do so.
- You should follow your surgical team’s fluid advice rather than forcing excessive amounts of water.
- You should not stop prescribed anticoagulants or postoperative blood-thinning injections without medical advice.
- Your urinary blood clots are different from a DVT or pulmonary embolism.
- You should seek urgent help for heavy bleeding, severe bladder pain, faintness, fever or significant deterioration in how you feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is blood in your urine normal after robotic prostate surgery?
You may notice mild blood staining during early recovery, particularly while your catheter remains in place. Your bleeding should generally settle rather than becoming progressively heavier.
2. Can you pass small blood clots after your prostate surgery?
You may notice small stringy clots or pieces of debris during recovery. You should contact your surgical team if your clots become large, repeatedly occur or begin interfering with urine drainage.
3. Why can your catheter cause blood in the urine?
Your catheter can irritate your bladder and urinary tract as you move around. This can produce temporary inflammation and mild blood staining while your surgical tissues are healing.
4. Why are large blood clots more concerning?
Your large clot may obstruct your catheter or urethra and prevent urine from leaving your bladder. This can cause increasing bladder pressure and pain and needs prompt assessment.
5. How can you tell whether your catheter may be blocked?
You may notice little or no urine entering your drainage bag, increasing bladder fullness or urine leaking around the catheter. You should check for tubing kinks and make sure your bag is below bladder level, then seek help promptly if drainage does not resume.
6. Can your activity make urinary bleeding worse?
Your urine can become temporarily more blood-stained as increased movement causes catheter irritation. You should contact your team if the bleeding becomes substantial, does not settle or is accompanied by larger clots.
7. Should you drink extra water if you pass blood clots?
You should follow your postoperative fluid instructions and remain appropriately hydrated. You should not force excessive fluid, particularly if another health condition means you have been given a fluid restriction.
8. Can you pass blood or clots after your catheter is removed?
You may notice some blood staining as your urinary tract continues to recover, but new heavy bleeding or large clots should be discussed with your surgical team rather than automatically considered normal.
9. When should you seek urgent medical advice?
You should seek urgent assessment if your catheter stops draining, you develop increasing bladder pain, repeatedly pass large clots or experience heavy bleeding, fever, shaking chills or significant deterioration in how you feel.
10. What will your medical team do if a blood clot blocks your catheter?
Your team will assess your urine drainage, bladder and bleeding and decide whether the catheter needs professional treatment to restore drainage. You should not attempt to flush, reposition or remove your postoperative catheter yourself.
Final Thoughts: Blood Clots After Robotic Prostate Surgery
Small amounts of blood staining or debris can occur during recovery after robotic prostate surgery, particularly while your catheter remains in place. However, large or repeated blood clots, heavy bleeding, increasing pain or reduced urine drainage can indicate a blockage or another complication and should be assessed promptly.
If you are looking for a robotic prostate surgery clinic in London, you can contact us at Prostate Clinic London to arrange a consultation and receive personalised advice about your recovery, urinary symptoms and treatment options.
If you are considering robotic prostate surgery in London and would like personalised advice about your recovery, urinary symptoms or treatment options, you can contact us at Prostate Clinic London to arrange a consultation.
References
- British Association of Urological Surgeons (no date) Visible haematuria. Available at: https://www.baus.org.uk/trainees/visible_haematuria.aspx
- Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (2023) Robotic radical prostatectomy: frequently-asked questions. Approved 2 May 2023. Available at: https://www.cuh.nhs.uk/patient-information/robotic-radical-prostatectomy-frequently-asked-questions/
- Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (no date) Robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Review due January 2027. Available at: https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/your-visit/patient-information-leaflets/robotic-assisted-laparoscopic-radical-prostatectomy/
- NHS (2023) Living with a urinary catheter. Page last reviewed 3 February 2023. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/urinary-catheters/living-with/
- NHS (2023) Risks of a urinary catheter. Page last reviewed 3 February 2023. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/urinary-catheters/risks/
- NHS (2025) Urinary tract infections (UTIs). Page last reviewed 11 July 2025. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/
- Prostate Cancer UK (2024) Surgery: radical prostatectomy. Updated July 2024. Available at: https://prostatecanceruk.org/prostate-information-and-support/treatments/surgery
- University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (2026) Robotic prostatectomy. Page last updated 4 March 2026. Available at: https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/patient-information-pages/robotic-prostatectomy
- NHS (2026) DVT (deep vein thrombosis). Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/deep-vein-thrombosis-dvt/
- NHS (2023) Pulmonary embolism. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pulmonary-embolism/