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Introduction to Catheters

A catheter is a medical device designed to help drain urine from your bladder. It can be inserted through your urethra or through a surgically created opening in your abdomen. The catheter allows urine to flow in a controlled manner, either into a drainage bag or directly into a toilet, depending on its type. Intermittent urinary catheters are the most common type. You insert the catheter as needed, drain the urine, and then dispose of it safely.

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Types of intermittent catheters:

Straight tip catheters feature a rounded, straight insertion tip.
Tiemann or coudé tip catheters have a slight bend at the end to navigate potential obstructions in your urethra.
Hydrophilic catheters have a pre-lubricated layer of coating for easier insertion by binding with water.
Closed system catheters are pre-lubricated and come with an integrated collection bag.
Your healthcare professional will advise on the best type of intermittent catheter for you, considering factors like your gender, age, anatomy, dexterity, and allergies. You are unique with your own needs, preferences, activity level, and lifestyle so what works or feels comfortable for one person may not be suitable for you.

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The parts of a catheter:

All intermittent catheters consist of an insertion tip, drainage eyelets, a funnel, and a thin plastic tube – the catheter itself. Catheter tips are either straight or coudé. Straight tips are most common, while coudé tips have a slight bend to manoeuvre around any obstructions your urethra like scar tissue or an enlarged prostate gland. All tips have drainage eyelets or holes that allow urine to drain from your bladder. The funnel end is where urine exits the catheter. It may feature an ergonomic design for easy gripping or, if required, it might be connected to an external drain bag.

Catheters come in a variety of lengths and diameters to accommodate different anatomies. Male and female anatomies require different length catheters as the male urethra is longer than the female urethra, although some women do prefer a longer catheter. Male length catheters are usually 16 inches (40cm) in length. Female length catheters range from 6-8 inches (15-20cm) in length. The diameter of the catheter is measured in French or Charriere sizes (often abbreviated to Fr or Ch) and again based on anatomy. Common catheter materials include vinyl and silicone, most manufacturers have now moved away from latex due to allergy risk. There are also DEHP-free options.

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Storing and disposing of your catheters:

Your catheters need to be stored at room temperature and in a dry environment. It’s useful to have supplies in every bathroom, and you may also want to have a back-up stock in case you’re running low. If you travel frequently by car, it can be useful to store some catheters there too but ensure not to leave them in extreme temperatures for over 24 hours. Once you’ve used your catheter, you can dispose of it with normal household waste, although some manufacturers now have catheters with recyclable cases.