Urethral Bladder Catherization for Men

Describes urethral bladder catherization for men with urinary retention. The goal of the urethral bladder catherization steps is to reduce risk of bacterial infection in the bladder while draining urine from the bladder. Incidentally, the urethral bladder catherization steps below are a work in progress subject to better ways to achieve goals.

Urethral Bladder Catherization at Home without Showering

Supplies

Coude catheter (Make sure you get the right size to make insertion smooth and painless. If you find it uncomfortable or hard to insert, ask for a catheter with a smaller diameter - a small FR rating.)
Lubricant, Antiseptic toilettes
Plain liquid soap
Liquid sanitizer
Betadine (Povidone-Iodine) prep pads
Floor towel
Paper towels for drying hands
Tissue paper for drying penis
Cotton ball
Urine collector

Urethral Bladder Catherization Steps

  1. 1
    Place urine collector in position to collect urine.
  2. 2
    Lay out paper towel #1 and #2 for drying hands.
  3. 3
    Wash hands with 99.9% anti-bacterial hand soap.
  4. 4
    Shake hands towards floor to get rid of excess water. Then dry hands with paper towel #1.
  5. 5
    Next, lay out tissue paper #1. Place folded tissue paper #2 and cotton ball on one half of tissue paper #1. Place lubricant on second half of tissue paper #1.
  6. 6
    Lay out and open catheter container.
  7. 7
    Wash hands with plain liquid soap for 20 seconds.
  8. 8
    Use soapy hand to clean penis head for 15 seconds.
  9. 9
    Rinse hands to get rid of soapy water.
  10. 10
    Soak cotton ball in tap water. Use cotton ball to get rid of soapy water from penis head. Wipe from tip to the body.
  11. 11
    Discard cotton ball.
  12. 12
    Rinse hands again. 
  1. 13
    Shake hands towards floor to get rid of excess water. Then dry hands with paper towel #2 and air dry if desired.
  2. 14
    Use folded tissue paper to dry penis using either strokes or by quickly pressing tissue paper against the penis. Quick pressing helps dry the penis without the paper sticking to the skin.
  3. 15
    Grab the catheter’s rubber end with right hand and pull out catheter from container. Next, hold the catheter with your lips grabbing the rubber end.
  4. 16
    Using both hands, open the lubricant packet. After it is opened, hold lubricant packet with the left hand.
  5. 17
    Now, with the right hand holding the middle of the catheter (with the bent tip up or the blue line on top) immerse head of catheter inside the lubricant packet. 
  6. 18
    Next, spread lubricant along first few inches of the catheter and empty packet to leave a blob of lubricant near the catheter’s tip. This ensures the tip has enough lubricant so it can be easily inserted. Also, leave a 2nd large blob of lubricant about 1 or 2 inches from the tip.
  7. 19
    Now, hold penis with left hand such that your sterile bent index finger cups the penis front. Also, hold the penis at 60 degrees angle with the body.
  8. 20
    Next, drop 2nd lubricant blob from near the tip of catheter to area of the penis opening and a little above it. Then, along with the barrier provided by the bent left index finger holding the penis, the lubrication covers the penis opening and helps lubricate the catheter as it is pushed into the penis. This step will help lubricate the catheter as it enters the penis and make for a very smooth and nearly painless insertion.
  9. 21
    Very slowly, insert catheter inside the penis.
  10. 22
    As the catheter goes in start increasing the penis angle with the body to 90 degrees and more so that the catheter can easily go around the curve and upwards towards the bladder.
  11. 23
    As you approach the half-way point on the catheter, point penis downwards to make it easy for the catheter to reach bladder along a straighter path.
  12. 24
    If it becomes painful or difficult, just stop and insert catheter in quarter inch steps. Yes, it will take long but inserting slowly protects the urinary tract and lowers chances of bleeding or injuring the urethral channel.
  13. 25
    After 60% of the catheter is inside, put the rubber end of catheter inside the urine collector. However, make sure the catheter tubing does not touch the collector. Its OK if some of the tubing near the outer end touches the collector.
  14. 26
    Keep pushing until urine starts to flow. After urine flow stops push it a little bit more (up to an inch, if needed) until all residual urine is removed.
  15. 27
    When urine stops flowing, remove the catheter. First, hold the penis, about 90 degrees from the body, with left index finger right up to the tip and almost touching the catheter. Next, use the other hand to gently pull it out, a little bit at a time, while slightly exerting an upward pressure, if necessary.

Urethral Bladder Catherization at Home after Showering

Urethral Bladder Catherization Steps

  1. 1
    Shower.
  2. 2
    As you dry up with a towel that may contain bacteria, don’t let towel touch penis.
  3. 3
    Place urine collector in position to collect urine.
  4. 4
    Lay out paper towel for drying hands.
  5. 5
    Lay out and open catheter container.
  6. 6
    Lay out tissue paper #1. Place folded tissue paper #2 and lubricant on tissue paper #1.
  7. 7
    Wash hands with plain liquid soap.
  8. 8
    Shake hands towards floor to get rid of excess water. Then, dry hands with paper towel.
  1. 9
    Use folded tissue paper #2 to dry penis using either strokes or by quickly pressing tissue paper against the penis. Quick pressing helps dry the penis without tissue paper sticking to the skin.
  2. 10
    Grab the catheter’s rubber end with right hand and pull out catheter from container. Next, hold the catheter with your lips grabbing the rubber end.
  3. 11
    Using both hands, open the lubricant packet. After it is opened, hold lubricant packet with the left hand.
  4. 12
    Now, with the right hand holding the middle of the catheter (with the bent tip up or the blue line on top) immerse head of catheter inside the lubricant packet.
  5. 13
    Next, spread lubricant along first few inches of the catheter and empty packet to leave a blob of lubricant near the catheter’s tip. This ensures the tip has enough lubricant so it can be easily inserted. Also, leave a 2nd large blob of lubricant about 1 or 2 inches from the tip.
  6. 14
    Now, hold penis with left hand such that your sterile bent index finger cups the tip of the penis. Also, hold the penis at 60 degrees angle with the body.
  7. 15
    Next, drop 2nd lubricant blob to area of the penis opening and a little above it. Then, along with the barrier provided by the left bent index finger cupping the penis, the lubrication covers the penis opening and helps lubricate the catheter as it is pushed into the penis. This step will help lubricate the catheter as it enters the penis and make for a very smooth and nearly painless insertion.
  8. 16
    Very slowly, insert catheter inside the penis.
  9. 17
    As the catheter goes in start increasing the penis angle with the body to 90 degrees and more, so that the catheter can easily go around the curve and upwards towards the bladder.
  10. 18
    As you approach the half-way point on the catheter, point penis downwards a bit to make it easy for the catheter to reach bladder along a straighter path.
  11. 19
    If it becomes painful or difficult, just stop and insert catheter in quarter inch steps. Yes, it will take long but inserting slowly protects the urinary tract and lowers chances of bleeding or injuring the urethral channel.
  12. 20
    After 60% of the catheter is inside, put the rubber end of catheter inside the urine collector. However, make sure the catheter tubing does not touch the collector. Its OK if some of the tubing near the outer end touches the collector.
  13. 21
    Keep pushing until urine starts to flow. After urine flow stops push it a little bit more (up to an inch, if needed) until all residual urine is removed.
  14. 22
    When urine stops flowing, remove the catheter. First, hold the penis, about 90 degrees from the body, with one hand right up to the penis opening and almost touching the catheter. Next, use the other hand to gently pull it out, a little bit at a time, while slightly exerting an upward pressure, if necessary.

Catherization Procedure while on Travel

Briefcase or Bag Organization for Urethral Bladder Catherization

Biggest Pocket

Catheters
Plastic bags

Middle Pocket

Liquid Soap
Hand wipes (Mediwips or Wet Ones)
Baby Wipes
Clips
Hangers
Lubricant
Antiseptic towelettes
Betadine (Povidone-Iodine} Prep Pads

Smallest Pocket

Paper towels
Plastic Bag

Public Toilets

Urethral Bladder Catherization Steps where Privacy is available, as in a car
  1. 1
    Use 1st hand wipe to clean hands. Discard wipe.
  2. 2
    Spread 2nd hand wipe on flat surface.
  3. 3
    Use antiseptic toilette to wipe Betadine pad, lubricant and place both on 2nd hand wipe.
  4. 4
    If necessary, wrap Betadine pad and lubricant in their own antiseptic toilettes and along with hand wipes store all three in plastic bag. Put plastic bag in middle pocket.
  5. 5
    REPEAT ABOVE TO HAVE 2x ready to go plastic bags (in case contents fall on the floor).
Urethral Bladder Catherization Steps in Men’s Toilet
  1. 1
    Use 3rd hand wipe to clean your hands. Discard hand wipe.
  2. 2
    Place two catheters in biggest pocket so they stick out from the pocket’s zipper. Open catheter wrapper on one and pull catheter out slightly to make sure it comes out easily without sticking to its container.
  3. 3
    Open one of the ready to go plastic bag so you have easy access to Betadine pad and lubricant wrapped in the antiseptic towelette.
  4. 4
    Pull down pants, pull up shirt and use clips to keep shirt away from penis.
  5. 5
    Clean hands using 4th hand wipe. Discard hand wipe and let hands dry.
  6. 6
    Clean penis head with baby wipe. Clean penis head with Betadine pad wrapped in antiseptic towelettes. Remember to wipe penis head downward once.
  7. 7
    Discard betadine pad and its container.
  8. 8
    Take out lubricant from antiseptic towelette and tear it open with your hands.
  9. 9
    Hold open lubricant with left hand.
  10. 10
    Pull out catheter with right hand and hold it with your mouth gripping the rubber end.
  11. 11
    Use left hand to hold sterile lubricant packet and immerse head of coude catheter inside the lubricant packet with the right hand.
  12. 12
     With right hand, hold the catheter with the bent tip up or the blue line on top.
  13. 13
    With the left hand, spread lubricant along first few inches of the catheter and empty packet to leave large amount of lubricant near the catheter’s tip.
  14. 14
    Now, hold penis with left hand such that your sterile hand is near and a little further out from the penis opening. Also, hold the penis at 60 degrees angle with the body.
  15. 15
    Drop lubricant blob from near the tip of catheter to area of the penis opening and a little above it. Then, along with the barrier provided by the left hand holding the penis, the lubrication covers the opening and helps lubricate the catheter as it is pushed into the penis. This step will help lubricate the catheter as it enters the penis and make for a very smooth and nearly painless insertion.
  16. 16
    Very slowly, insert cateter into the penis. Try to sync insertion with breath inhalation or exhalation, whichever works best. Also, lift catheter slightly upwards as your insert, so tubing presses against the upper part of the urethral channel.
  17. 17
    In addition, you can try stretching the penis to make it easier for the catheter to find its way through as it goes deeper.
  18. 18
    As the catheter goes in start increasing the penis angle with the body to 90 degrees and more so that the catheter can easily go around the curve and upwards towards the bladder.
  19. 19
    As you approach the half-way point on the catheter, point penis downwards a bit to make it easy for the catheter to reach bladder along a straighter path.
  20. 20
    If there is obstruction, just stop and insert catheter a quarter inch at a time. Yes, it will take long but it protects the urinary tract and lowers chances of bleeding or injuring the inside channel.
  21. 21
    .Keep pushing until urine starts to flow. After urine flow stops push it a few more mm until all residual urine is removed.
  22. 22
    When urine stops flowing, remove the catheter. First, hold the penis, about 90 degrees from the body, with one hand right up to the tip and almost touching the catheter. Next, gently pull it out, a little bit at a time, while slightly exerting an upward pressure.
  23. 23
    Insert catheter into original container.
  24. 24
    Wrap container with catheter in paper towel and put it in plastic garbage bag.
Urethral Bladder Catherization Steps in Clean Toilets
  1. 1
    Use 1st hand wipe to clean your hands. Discard wipe.
  2. 2
    Spread 2nd hand wipe on flat surface.
  3. 3
    Use 1st antiseptic towelette to wipe Betadine pad and place pad on 2nd antiseptic towelette.
  4. 4
    Use 3rd antiseptic towelette to wipe lubricant container and place container on 2nd antiseptic towelette.
  5. 5
    Place two catheters in biggest pocket so they stick out from the pocket’s zipper. Open catheter wrapper on one and pull catheter out slightly to make sure it comes out easily without sticking to container.
  6. 6
    Pull down pants, pull up shirt and use clips to ensure shirt stays above and away from penis.
  7. 7
    Clean hands using hand wipe. Discard and let hands dry.
  8. 8
    Clean penis head with baby wipe. Next, clean with Betadine pad. Remember to wipe penis head downward.
  9. 9
    Discard Betadine pad and its container.
  10. 10
    Take lubricant from antiseptic towelette and tear it open with your hands.
  11. 11
    Hold open lubricant with left hand. 
  12. 12
    Pull out catheter with right hand and hold it with your mouth gripping the rubber end.
  13. 13
    Use left hand to hold sterile lubricant packet and immerse head of coude catheter inside the lubricant packet with the right hand. 
  14. 14
    Spread lubricant along first few inches of the catheter and empty packet to leave large amount of lubricant near the catheter’s tip.
  15. 15
    Hold the catheter with the bent tip up or the blue line on top
  16. 16
    Hold penis with left hand such that your sterile hand is near and a little further out from the opening. Also, hold the penis at 60 degrees angle with the body.
  17. 17
    Drop lubricant blob from near the tip of catheter to area of the penis opening and a little above it. Then, along with the barrier provided by the hand holding the penis, the lubrication covers the opening and helps lubricate the catheter as it is pushed into the penis. This step will help lubricate the catheter as it enters the penis and make for a very smooth and nearly painless insertion.
  18. 18
    Very slowly, insert catheter inside the penis. Try to sync insertion with breath inhalation or exhalation, whichever works best. Also, lift catheter slightly upwards as your insert, so tubing presses against the upper part of the urethral channel.
  19. 19
    In addition, you can try stretching the penis to make it easier for the catheter to find its way through as it goes deeper.
  20. 20
    As the catheter goes in start increasing the penis angle with the body to 90 degrees and more so that the catheter can easily go around the curve and upwards towards the bladder.
  21. 21
    As you approach the half-way point on the catheter, point penis downwards a bit to make it easy for the catheter to reach bladder along a straighter path.
  22. 22
    If there is obstruction, just stop and insert catheter a quarter inch at a time. Yes, it will take long but it protects the urinary tract and lowers chances of bleeding or injuring the inside channel.
  23. 23
    Keep pushing until urine starts to flow. After urine flow stops push it a few more mm until all residual urine is removed.
  24. 24
    When urine stops flowing, remove the catheter. First, hold the penis, about 90 degrees from the body, with one hand right up to the tip and almost touching the catheter. Next, gently pull it out, a little bit at a time, while slightly exerting an upward pressure.
  25. 25
    Insert catheter into original container.
  26. 26
    Wrap container with catheter in paper towel and put it in plastic garbage bag.

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