Self-Catheterizing for MenUpdated 7 months ago
Step-by-Step Intermittent Catheterization for Men
Supplies
- A new, sterile catheter of the size and type recommended by your healthcare provider
- Soap and water OR antibacterial hand cleaner
- A washcloth OR disposable perineal wipe (i.e. a disposable washcloth)
- Lubricant, if your catheter isn’t pre-lubricated
- A container to catch the urine, if you’re not draining directly into a toilet
Instructions
| 1. | Lay out the equipment so it is within easy reach. |
| 2. | Clean your hands thoroughly with soap and water or with antibacterial hand cleaner, before preparing your catheter. |
| 3. | Inspect catheter before use - If catheter or package is damaged, do not use. |
| 4. | Apply a liberal amount of lubricant to the first inch of the catheter, then place on a clean surface within reach. |
| 5. | Position yourself comfortably. Arrange clothing so it is out of the way. If sitting on the toilet, spread your legs far apart. If lying down, knees can be straight or bent. |
| 6. | Hold the penis upright on the sides so that the urethra is not pinched. |
| 7. | Retract the foreskin if the penis is uncircumcised. Wash the glans penis from the urethral opening (tip) to the base of the glans with soap, water and washcloth or unscented disposable wipe. |
Tip: For a thorough clean, wash with a circular motion from the tip outward. Do not wash back and forth over the urethral opening. Repeat the washing two more times with different areas of the wash cloth or with a new unscented wipe each time. | |
| 8. | While holding the penis upright with one hand at a 45 to 60-degree angle from the body, slowly insert the lubricated catheter into the penis using your dominant hand. Gently slide the catheter until you meet resistance at the urethral sphincters. |
| Tip: Do not pull the catheter in and out when you meet resistance; just apply gentle but firm continuous pressure until the catheter advances into the bladder. | |
| 9. | Continue to insert the catheter about 2 inches until urine begins to flow. If sitting on the toilet the urine can drain into the toilet. If lying down, place the funnel end of the catheter into a container to collect the urine. Hold it in place until urine stops flowing. |
| 10. | When urine stops flowing, slowly rotate the catheter between your fingers while withdrawing the catheter. If urine starts to flow again, stop withdrawing the catheter and let the urine drain. |
| 11. | When the bladder is empty, finish removing the catheter and dispose in your household waste. |
| 12. | If you are uncircumcised, make sure you bring the foreskin back over the glans when you are finished. |
| 13. | Some men have very tight sphincters or an enlarged prostate which makes it difficult to pass the catheter into the bladder. A catheter with a special, curved (Coude) tip may make passing the catheter easier. If a catheter with Coude tip is needed, your doctor or nurse will show you how to use it. |