Men – How to insert an intermittent catheter
Before starting to empty your bladder with a catheter, always gather your supplies and prepare your environment as instructed by your Healthcare Professional.
- Wash your hands well with soap and water or a hand sanitiser.
- Open your catheter and prepare it according to the instructions for use supplied by the manufacturer or your Healthcare Professional.
- If you are in a wheelchair, come forward in your seat and sit in a slouched position so your pelvis is tilted slightly forward.
- Gently pull the foreskin back (if you have one), clean the penis tip and then the head of the penis as you have been shown by your healthcare professional (use mild pH neutral soap and water or an alcohol free wipe). Replace the foreskin if you have one.
- Wash your hands again. Do not touch anything else apart from your catheter after you have washed your hands for a second time. It is a good idea to use your dominant hand to touch the catheter and your other hand to touch anything else needed.
- Hold the penis upright and apply gentle pressure to insert the lubricated catheter. You may feel some resistance when the catheter reaches the sphincter and the prostate and you may notice a feeling of wanting to pass urine. Try to relax and take a slow, deep outward breath which can help to relax the sphincter. Sometimes wriggling your toes can also help at this point. Try not to move the catheter in and out as this may cause spasm. Lower your penis and continue to insert until urine starts to flow. As a rough guide, the male urethra is usually around 15-30cm long.
- Wriggle a little and straighten yourself up to make sure the bladder is completely empty. Once the urine stops running, begin to withdraw the catheter slowly.
- If more urine drains out as you are withdrawing the catheter, stop briefly until the urine flow stops again, then continue. As you remove it, you can place your finger over the end to stop any back flow.
- If you are using a catheter with a bag, dispose of the urine down the toilet.
- Throw away the catheter after using it (as household waste) and wash your hands once more.
View our video guides on how to use different products.
Before use, always consult the 'Instructions for use' document delivered with the products
