TUC is contraindicated in patients who have urethral injuries. Trauma to the urethra should be suspected when a patient has (1) a high riding prostate, (2) blood at the urethral meatus and/or (3) a perineal hematoma. Since the urethra in males is longer, men are more likely than women to have traumatic urethral injuries. A patient who presents with any of the three previously mentioned signs should be investigated with a retrourethrogram (RUG) prior to TUC.

Relative contraindications to TUC include a patient with a pelvic fracture, especially a straddle injury, or a trauma patient who has the urge to urinate but is unable to void. These are indications that a urethral traumatic injury may be present. A RUG may be indicated in these cases as well.