When someone has certain medical conditions they may need to use a urine catheter. A urine catheter can be different types. For instance, there are catheters fore women and catheters for men. A male catheter is different. Self catheters are used by some people. The type of female catheters that are best are prescribed by medical doctors. If you are really sick and in the hospital you will hear the subject of a catheter foley.
Some catheters are called indwelling catheters. Some are called condom catheters and then there are intermittent catheters that are just used for a short time. The intermittent urine catheter is supposed to be removed after the urine stops flowing. If you are using a urine catheter that is an indwelling one, it is meant for long term use and it is placed into the bladder where it stays until it is removed.
Inserting a urine catheter into a man is more painful than it is for a woman. In fact, most men find this procedure very uncomfortable. There is also a risk for infections when people use a urine catheter. The condom type of urine catheter for men can be much for more comfortable and will dramatically lower the risk for infections to occur. Over three fourths of men who use an indwelling catheter will contract a urinary tract infection.
No matter what kind of urine catheter you use, it will require the use of a drainage bag. There are two types of drainage bags that can be used with a urine catheter. One is a leg bag and you wear it unnoticed on the leg under your pants. The other type can be used at night where you can hang it from your bed. Drainage bags need to be properly cared for and must be emptied at least every 8 hours. Your medical doctor or nurse practitioner can explain every thing you need to know about using a urine catheter and the drainage bags that go with it.