New to Catheters
What are Catheters?
A catheter is a medical device that helps treat urinary incontinence or urinary retention by emptying your bladder through a thin tube. The tube is inserted into the urethra, and urine travels into two small holes, called eyelets, through the tube and into a receptacle such as a toilet or a drainage bag.
There are many different types and sizes of catheters to serve all different body types. The two most common you’ll hear about are indwelling catheters, which remain inside the urethra for up to 30 days, and intermittent catheters, which are used to empty the bladder 4-6 times daily.
Strive Medical is partnered with several nationwide manufacturers of urological supplies, including Cure/Convatec, Coloplast, Teleflex, Hollister, Wellspect and more. If you need to start using catheters, we’ll work with your physician and our manufacturing partners to get you free samples until you find the most comfortable fit.
Why Do You Need a Catheter?
You may need a catheter if you have a condition such as multiple sclerosis, spina bifida, a spinal cord injury, a neurological disorder, or if you just had surgery near the genital area. Many men and women also lose bladder control as they age. If you do need a catheter, your physician will prescribe it to you, help you find the right fit and give you instructions on how to insert it and how long to wear it.
Manufacturer Training
Strive Medical works with all major manufacturers. Two main catheter manufacturers we work with are Cure/Convatec and Coloplast, leading suppliers of catheters for all genders and ages. Both have comprehensive product lines with plenty of great training information, instructional videos and how-to guides.
As the nationwide provider with the largest variety of brands to choose from, we are happy to supply you with samples from any of our manufacturers to test and try. We offer a choice of products, such as Lofric, Vapro(™), and Rüsch® catheters to name a few, from all leading manufacturers to help you find the best fit for your needs.
Coloplast
Coloplast’s main catheter brand is SpeediCath®. Visit their website and dive into the huge collection of instructional material they have at your disposal.
Convatec
Convatec’s main catheter brand is GentleCath™. On their website, you’ll find a wide array of educational material for you to browse.
Catheter Sizes
Catheters are measured from outer edge to outer edge using French sizes (Fr.) and color-coded based on size. 3 Fr. equals a little over a millimeter, so even the larger sizes are quite small. You probably have no idea what size you need when you start using a catheter, but there’s nothing to worry about! Before you start buying catheters, we’ll work with your doctor to send you free samples until you figure out the right fit. To give you an idea of where to start, here’s a typical size guide:
- Infant: 6-8 Fr.
- Pediatric: 8-12 Fr.
- Female: 10-16 Fr.
- Male: 14-18 Fr.
Catheter Length
Catheters also vary in length. Some are extra long for ease of use, and some pocket catheters are as short as 2 inches as they are designed for discretion and portability. Again, you are free to experiment to find what length and style is best for you. Here’s a general length guide:
- Pediatric: 8-10 inches
- Female: 6-8 inches
- Male: 16 inches
If you stay informed and follow your doctor’s instructions, you’re well on your way to a positive cathing journey.
Catheter: How it Works
The general guidelines for using an intermittent catheter are simple, but keep in mind that your physician knows you best, and it’s important for you to follow any instructions they give you.
- Wash your hands
- Carefully open the catheter
- For non-hydrophilic catheters, lubricate the top 2 inches
- Insert the tip of the catheter into the urethral opening
- Slowly push it in farther until urine begins to flow into the toilet or drainage bag
- Once the bladder is empty, remove the catheter and discard it in the trash can
Does it Hurt When Inserting a Catheter?
Hopefully not, but if you’re finding that it does hurt when inserting a catheter, there could be several things causing it. Here are some things you can try:
- Make sure the brand you are using has polished eyelets. Strive Medical carries Cure Medical catheters, such as the Cure Ultra®, which have smooth, polished eyelets for painless insertion.
- Consider a different method of lubrication. Convatec’s GentleCath™ line and Coloplast’s SpeediCath® line have smooth, slippery surfaces for easier insertion.
- Try sampling a different size.
- You can also speak with your doctor about trying a curved tip catheter, or coude catheter which may help ease any pain/discomfort you may be experiencing.
Make sure you talk to your physician about what might be causing your pain while self-cathing.
How Long Can You Wear a Catheter?
Intermittent catheters are single use items only. They should be inserted into the urethra to drain the bladder and be disposed of immediately. Indwelling, or Foley, catheters can stay in up to a month before they are removed by your doctor.
You may have heard that you can clean and dry your intermittent catheter for up to a week, but manufacturers recommend using each tube or kit only once. When considering how long you can wear a catheter, remember that single-use catheters are sterile and drastically decrease your risk of introducing bacteria into your urethra or bladder, which can cause a UTI.
Types of Catheters
Medical professionals have developed several different catheters so that cathing can be an easy, safe, and comfortable process for anyone. Depending on your body and why you need a catheter, your doctor may prescribe any of these different types:
Foley Catheters
Foley catheters are inserted by your doctor and remain in place for up to a month. A small balloon is inflated inside the bladder to keep it in place, and urine travels down to a drainage bag that is usually fastened to your leg or overnight collection bag.
Intermittent Catheters
You can use intermittent catheters at home to empty your bladder 4-6 times a day. This is the most common type purchased by patients and the one we have referred to most often on this page.
Male External Catheter System (MECS)
MECS are a condom-shaped penile sheath that is placed on the penis to address permanent urinary incontinence. These are connected to a drainage bag.
Coudé Catheters
These have curved tips to make insertion easier or less painful. They are most commonly used by men or individuals with urethral strictures, and they do require a specific prescription from your doctor.
Catheterization is the most common cause of UTIs, so if you’re someone with a history of UTIs (at least two in the past 12 months) or someone who is immuno-compromised, you can get your catheter in a closed system. This keeps everything contained in a sterile environment, reducing the risk of spreading bacteria to the urethra or bladder.
Before insertion, catheters need to be lubricated. For some, you need your own tube of lubrication, and some come with a packet of gel, but hydrophilic catheters have a polymer coating that binds water to the surface of the tube, making it slippery. There are some that come in water, and for some, you will have to burst a packet of water in the packaging. Hydrophilic catheters are generally more sterile than other options.
Buying Catheters
You’re likely wondering–and worrying–what are catheters going to cost you if you need them for an indefinite amount of time. If you need catheter and incontinence supplies for at least three months, you can get and covered by insurance.
We have forms for your physician to fill out that will detail your condition and inform insurance about your diagnosis. Whatever your needs, we will work with your doctor to make sure your forms are filled out correctly to get you as much coverage as possible.
Ordering Catheters: How it Works
Create an account to make an order and automate your shipments
We’ll work with your physician to bill your insurance
Once your order is submitted, you receive supplies within 1-2 business days
