If you are having difficulties urinating on your own due to an illness, injury, or an infection, a catheter may be used.If you can have the catheter inserted by a trained medical professional, you should insert it at your doctor's recommendation.If you want to insert a catheter at home, you need to gather the necessary supplies and follow sterile guidelines.After instruction from a nurse or physician, insert a catheter yourself.Common issues that can arise with the catheter can be addressed.
Step 1: Purchase a medical device.
Most people will need a French catheter.Online or through your doctor, you can find Foley catheters.Adult males with congenitally small urethras will not tolerate large catheters.They may need a small one.It's best to call a professional if you have an obstruction.You will be using a three-way irrigation large catheter to deal with the obstruction, and it's important to know how to insert it without pushing against it, which is difficult for someone who isn't properly trained.This process is not recommended for self-catheterization.Some catheters come in a kit with a catheter and antiseptic solution that you can pour on the catheter to sterilize it.To make sure the catheter is sterile, you should follow the procedures on the kit.Make sure the kits are still usable when they arrive.It will be difficult at first, but you will get used to it over time.There is a nurse who is trained to deal with incontinence.
Step 2: Purchase enough catheters to use multiple times.
The majority of catheters are single use.Individual packages make it easy for you to use them and throw them away.Some catheters can be washed.Discuss this with your doctor before you try to wash your catheters.
Step 3: Get water-based lubricating Jelly.
The lubricating jelly is required to make the top of the catheter slick.It will be easier to insert the catheter.The lubricant for catheters needs to be sterile.It should not be put in a jar, as once opened it must be thrown away.Only single-dose packets can be used.The lubricating jelly should be water-based so it won't irritate your urinary tract.
Step 4: There is a container for the urine.
Once you get the urine out of the catheter, you need a container or bag to hold it.A bag or deep plastic container can be used to collect urine.
Step 5: You can use a bath towel or a waterproof pad.
You will need a thick bath towel to catch any urine or water during the procedure.This will work if you have access to a waterproof pad that you can sit on.
Step 6: Medical gloves are required.
If this is an in-and-out catheter, always use medical gloves.It is important that your hands are clean and protected during the process.Medical gloves can be found at a medical supply store or online.Putting a non sterile instrument up the urethra puts people at risk for a UTI.Sterile gloves are preferred.
Step 7: Use soap and water to wash your hands.
Warm water and soap should be used to wash your hands.Before you unwrap the catheter, put on your gloves.Before you take out the catheter from the package, make sure the area around you is clean.The floor of your bathroom is an example of an area that is open and free of obstructions.The floor needs to be clean.It is important to have clean hands before you put on gloves, as handling the gloves with dirty hands will result in unsterile gloves.
Step 8: You need to get into a seated position.
You have to sit with your legs bent.Once you are seated, put the bath towel or waterproof pad underneath your penis.With your hands, you should have easy access to your penis.If it is comfortable for you to reach down and hold your penis, you can stand in front of the toilet.The end of the catheter can be pointed into the toilet.
Step 9: It's a good idea to clean the area around your penis.
Warm water, soap, and a cloth are all you need to wash your penis.The area should be cleaned in circular motions.Pull the foreskin back and wash your penis.You should wash the head of your penis and the urinary meatus, which is the small opening where your urine comes out.After you are done, wash and dry your penis.Place the container you are using to collect the urine next to your thigh so it is easy to access.
Step 10: lubricating jelly should be put on the catheter.
Put lubricating jelly on the catheter when you hold the top section.You want to cover the first seven to ten inches of the catheter.This will make the procedure more comfortable.
Step 11: Slowly insert the catheter.
To hold your penis straight out in front of you, use your non-dominant hand.The angle of your penis is 60 to 90 degrees.Hold the catheter in your dominate hand and slowly insert it into the urinary meatus or small opening on the top of your penis.Use a gentle, pushing motion to put the catheter into your penis.You can keep the catheter in place until you are done urinating if you push it up one inch.The other end of the catheter should be placed in a container or in the toilet so that the urine can be collected.
Step 12: If there is a collection bag on the catheter, inflate it.
You need a sterile needle to inflate the collection bag on some catheters.The collection bag should be inflated with 10 liters of sterile water.The amount of water needed to fill the bag may be different depending on the size of the catheter you are using.Attach the bag to the catheter to hold the urine as you urinate.The urine can be collected if the balloon rests on the urethral opening.
Step 13: As soon as you have urinated, remove the catheter.
Leaving the catheter in can cause urinary tract issues if you don't remove it as soon as possible.Pull out the catheter by pinching the top closed with your dominant hand.No urine drips or dribbles out if the end of the catheter is facing upward.If there is a collection bag, you should dispose of it in the garbage.If you don't have circumcision you can pull your foreskin down.Throw away your gloves.It's a good idea to wash your hands.
Step 14: The catheter needs to be cleaned.
After every use, you should wash the catheter with soap and warm water according to the manufacturer's instructions.You should sterilize it in a pan of boiling water for 20 minutes to make sure it doesn't get sick, and then let it dry on a paper towel.The catheter should be kept in a bag.If the catheter is only used once, you should throw it away and use a new one.You should throw away catheters that look cracked or torn.Depending on your doctor's recommendations, you may need to use the catheter at least four times a day to make sure you are urinating regularly.
Step 15: If there is no urine, turn the catheter.
No urine can come out of the catheter when you insert it.If you want to remove any obstructions, try rotating the catheter slowly.Pull it back or push it one inch further into your penis.The catheter opening should not be blocked by mucus or lubricant.You might need to remove it to figure it out.You can try to encourage urine to flow by coughing.
Step 16: If it's hard to insert the catheter, apply more lubricant.
It can be difficult to insert the catheter when you are trying to push it past your prostratetum.If you want it to be easier to insert, you need to put more lubricant on the catheter.As you push the catheter in to make it easier to insert, take a deep breath and try to relax.Don't force it if it's still difficult.If you want to wait an hour and try again, focus on being relaxed and calm as you insert it.
Step 17: If you can't seem to urinate, see a doctor.
You should see your doctor if you can't urinate with the help of the catheter, or you have other issues like blood or mucus in your urine.If you feel unwell, you should see your doctor.Before you can use the catheter again, you need to address a urinary issue.
Step 18: If it's necessary, catheterize before sex.
If you need a catheter, you can still have sex.If you plan on having sex, it's a good idea to remove any urine from your bladder before you have sex.Before intercourse, remove the catheter.If the urine is offensive, don't have sex until you can get treatment.