Male Catheter Information

Urinary catheters are devices that are used to gather urine from the bladder. Males who are suffering from dementia, urinary incontinence problems, multiple sclerosis or urinary retention or who have undergone prostate surgery often need to use catheters, according to MedlinePlus (See Reference 1).

Description

• Urinary catheters are latex, silicon, rubber or Teflon tubes that are attached to a drainage bag, where urine is collected.

Types

• An intermittent catheter is used occasionally or for a short-term period. It is placed inside the urethra to rid the body of urine. Men place a condom catheter, a pouch or condom-like device, over their penis to keep urine from leaking, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (See Reference 2). Doctors surgically insert an indwelling urethral catheter in patients' bladder to help with urine removal for a short or long period of time.

Possible Complications

• Men who use a catheter for a long period of time may develop a bladder or kidney infection, bladder stones, bloody urine or a blood infection, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (See Reference 3).

Catheter Care

• Men who are using catheters should empty their drainage bag about every one to two hours or after they have urinated; use vinegar or chlorine bleach and water to clean their drainage bag and wash their catheter with antibacterial soap and water. They also need to check their catheter and drainage bag regularly to make sure they stay in place and make sure urine is not leaking from their catheter.

Personal Care

• Men using a catheter should drink fluids, especially water and fruit juice, regularly to avoid infection, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center (See Reference 3). They should also wash their genitals, especially the area around their urethra, every day.