When just occasional bladder emptying is required, an intermittent catheter can be utilized. They should be put in for as brief a time as necessary to ensure the bladder is thoroughly drained. These catheters are not intended for 24-hour use. The catheter is placed in the urinary tract only when necessary and is afterwards withdrawn. Users who are unable to empty their bladders normally may benefit from intermittent urinary catheters.
Intermittent Catheterization: What Is It?

Those who employ intermittent catheterization are able to regularly empty their bladders. Catheters can be placed and withdrawn many times a day, allowing patients greater independence. Passing urine only when the bladder is completely empty protects the kidneys and lessens the likelihood of getting a urinary tract infection (UTI). Intermittent catheterization is simple to learn and can be performed at a frequency determined by your doctor or healthcare provider. It can be done by anybody, anywhere.

Which Intermittent Catheter Is Best and Why?

The key to successful, risk-free intermittent catheterization is selecting the appropriate catheter. If you don’t, you risk damaging your urethra and having your bladder drain improperly. To get the most out of your intermittent catheterization, keep the following in mind while shopping for one:
Sizing a Catheter

The catheter’s wider diameter than necessary might lead to urethral injury from tension on the urethra. If the selected size is too tiny, the pee may not be drained quickly enough.

Due to individual differences in physiology, there is no “standard” catheter size. Your doctor or other medical expert can help you figure out what size is best for your body. Keeping your urine flow steady and pain-free is entirely dependent on selecting the appropriate catheter size.
Catheter Measurements

There are three sizes of intermittent catheters available: one for men, one for women, and one for children. Women and toddlers often need shorter lengths since their urethras are shorter.

Male catheters are typically 16 inches in length.

Catheters designed for women are typically between 6 and 8 inches in length.

Catheters designed for use in children are typically between 6 and 12 inches in length.


Intermittent Catheters

Inadequate bladder emptying, which can lead to UTIs, can occur if a catheter is selected that is too short. A catheter that is excessively lengthy may be hard to work with.

Ends of Catheters

There are two common varieties of catheter tips used with intermittent urinary catheters: the straight tip and the coude tip.

Catheters with a straight tip are the most often used because they are suitable for use in both adults and children. When there is no urological issue, such as a small urethra or an enlarged prostate, the straight tip is the most effective option.
The term “coude tip” refers to the curled or bent end of a tool. It is inserted into the urethra and used to pass through any obstacles, including a stricture or an enlarged prostate. These issues are more prevalent in males, hence coude tips are typically included with male-length catheters.

Catheter Tips

Funnel Ends: Catheters with colour-coded funnel ends make determining the correct French size quick and simple. The catheters may be held securely without contacting the tube, preventing the spread of infection. They may be attached to drainage bags as well.
Luer Ends: These are similar to the open ends of a tube. There is no funnel in their arsenal. Sometimes, the portability and concelability of a catheter with a luer end make it the best option. They become portable and simple to use. Male catheterization is made simple with catheter funnels.

Do a good job of washing your hands with soap and water.
Use soap and water to clean the genitalia, or use disposable wet wipes. If you are not circumcised, you should wipe your foreskin by pulling it back.
A hydrophilic catheter should be soaked as directed by the manufacturer before use. If your catheter is not coated, you should apply some lubricating jelly to the first six inches.
Prepare a container for urine disposal or lean over a toilet.
Cuddle up in a cozy spot.
Hold the penis at an angle of 60 to 75 degrees, lifting it gently.
Carefully and slowly thread the lubricated catheter through the urethra. Never touch the end of the catheter that goes into your body.
Keep threading the catheter into the urethra until you see urine coming out. This often occurs between the 6- and 8-inch marks of the catheter’s insertion into the urethra.
Catheter insertion into the bladder might be challenging at times. Don’t freak out; this is very natural. Avoid using excessive force, but do apply some pressure to the catheter to help it through. Pressing one’s weight down or coughing could be useful at this juncture.
Put your feet up and unwind as your bladder empties into a bowl or the toilet.
Once urination has ceased, the catheter can be carefully withdrawn. When removing the catheter, some more pee may leak out.
Remove any lubrication buildup from the penis. If you are not circumcised, you must readjust your foreskin.
Toss the catheter and its package in the trash.
Do a good job of washing your hands with soap and water.

How to Catheterize a Female Patient

Use soap and water to clean your hands.
Clean the genitalia thoroughly by washing them from front to back or by using disposable wet wipes.
A hydrophilic catheter should be soaked as directed by the manufacturer before use. Apply some lubricating jelly to the first three inches of an uncoated catheter.
To urinate, one must either lift a toilet seat or get a suitable container.
Adjust your body so that you can easily execute the catheterization.
Locate the urethra entrance by spreading the labia with one hand. Finding the entrance may be easier with the help of a mirror.
You can learn to feel the crack and locate it once you’ve practised enough.
Slowly insert the catheter into the urethra while lubricating it. Please keep your hands away from the catheter’s insertion site.
To get urine flowing, you should keep moving the catheter. About three inches into the urethra is the typical depth at which this occurs.
If the catheter encounters resistance during insertion, you can force it through by coughing or taking strong breaths.
Relax and empty your bladder into a bucket or the toilet.
When urine production ceases, the catheter must be removed. It’s possible that more pee will leak out when the catheter is removed.
Use a clean towel or sheet of toilet paper to wipe off the surface from front to back.
It’s important to throw away the catheter’s packing as well.
Do a good job of washing your hands with soap and water.


Where can I get some intermittent catheters?

Urinary catheters, such as intermittent and foley catheters, are available from FinalMedic For You.

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