Patient education: How to use a catheter to empty the bladder in males (The Basics)

What is a catheter? — 

This is a thin tube that goes inside the body. Some are used to empty the bladder. These are called "urinary catheters." Most urinary catheters are placed through the "urethra," the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body (figure 1).

There are many situations in which a urinary catheter might be used in the hospital, such as during surgery. In other situations, a catheter placed through the urethra is held in the bladder by a balloon, and stays in for days or weeks.

This article is about urinary catheters used at home by people with medical conditions that prevent them from urinating normally. Typically, this type of catheter is removed as soon as all the urine has been drained from the bladder. You might hear this called "intermittent self-catheterization."

Urinary catheters can be:

●Disposable – You use a new one each time you need to drain urine, then throw it away.

●Reusable – These can be cleaned and reused for up to 4 weeks.

Why do I need a catheter to empty my bladder? — 

You might need to use a catheter to empty your bladder if you have a condition that keeps you from urinating normally. These conditions include:

●Spinal cord injury – The spinal cord is the bundle of nerves that runs down the back. If it is injured, you might not be able to control when you urinate.

●Neurogenic bladder – This condition causes problems with bladder control.

How do I put the catheter in? — 

First, gather all your supplies, including:

●The catheter

●A container to catch the urine (or you can drain it into the toilet)

●Lubricant – This is a gel that helps the catheter slide in more easily. Example brands include K-Y Jelly and Surgilube. Do not use petroleum jelly (sample brand name: Vaseline). Some disposable catheters come with lubricant already on them.

When you are ready to put in the catheter (figure 2):

●Wash your hands with soap and water.

●If you are not circumcised, gently pull back the foreskin of your penis.

●Clean the tip of your penis with soap and water.

●Put lubricant on the catheter, if the catheter did not come with lubricant on it.

●Hold your penis straight out, away from your body.

●Gently put the catheter into your urethra.

●After the catheter has gone in the length of your penis, it will be harder to push in. Relax, breathe deeply, and push the catheter in about 1 more inch (2.5 cm).

●Urine will start to flow out of the catheter. Hold the catheter steady until the urine stops.

●Take the catheter out slowly to make sure all the urine comes out.

●If the catheter is disposable, throw it away. If it is reusable, clean it with soap and water, and store it in a clean, dry place.

How do I clean and store the catheter? — 

If you have a reusable catheter, you need to clean it after each use. To do this:

●Wash the catheter with mild soap and water.

●Rinse the catheter well.

●Place the catheter on a clean towel to air dry.

●When it is dry, store it somewhere clean and dry, like in a sealed plastic bag.

If you use a container to catch your urine, clean that with soap and water after each use, too.

Follow all instructions for how often to replace the catheter.

How often should I use the catheter to empty my bladder? — 

Most people use it between 3 and 6 times a day. Your doctor can tell you when and how often to use it.

How long will I need to use a catheter to empty my bladder? — 

It depends. If you have a spinal cord injury or other long-term problem with controlling your bladder, you need to use it for the rest of your life. If you have a different problem, you might only need to use it until your bladder starts working normally again. Your doctor will tell you when you can stop using the catheter.

When should I call the doctor or nurse? — 

Call your doctor or nurse if you have any symptoms of a urinary tract infection ("UTI"). These might include:

●Pain or a burning feeling when urinating

●Needing to urinate often

●Needing to urinate right away or in a hurry

●Blood in your urine

●Fever

You should also call if:

●You have trouble putting in the catheter (for example, it hurts a lot or won't slide in easily).

●You get the catheter in, but no urine comes out.

●You get the catheter in, but blood comes out or around it.

●You have trouble removing the catheter.

●The catheter breaks or gets damaged, and you don't have a replacement.

More on this topic

Patient education: How to use a catheter to empty the bladder in females (The Basics)
Patient education: How to care for a urinary catheter (The Basics)
Patient education: Lowering the risk of a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (The Basics)
Patient education: Urinary catheter placement (The Basics)
Patient education: How to remove a urinary catheter (The Basics)
Patient education: Paraplegia and quadriplegia (The Basics)
Patient education: Neurogenic bladder in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Asymptomatic bacteriuria (The Basics)