Pediatric patients and adult males with congenitally small urethras will not tolerate catheters this large. They may need a 10 fr or smaller. If you have an obstruction, it’s best to call a professional. 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 the obstruction, which is difficult for someone who isn’t properly trained. This process isn’t recommended for self-catheterization. Some catheters come in a kit, with the catheter and antiseptic solution that you can pour on the catheter to sterilize it. You should follow the procedures on the kit to make sure the catheter is sterile before you use it. Check the expiration date of kits when they arrive to make sure they are still useable. While using your catheter will be difficult at first, it will get easier and more routine over time. If you have any questions, you can consult a nurse who is trained to deal with incontinence.

Some catheters can be cleaned with soap and water. Discuss this with your doctor before trying to wash your catheters.

Make sure the lubricating jelly is water-based, as this will less irritating to your urinary tract.

Urinary retention already places individuals at risk for UTI and then shoving a non sterile instrument up the urethra practically ensures a UTI will occur. Sterile gloves and technique preferred.

Make sure your hands are clean and the area around you is clean before you take out the catheter from the package. You may also choose an area in your home that is open and free of obstructions, like the floor of your bathroom. Make sure the floor is clean. It is important to have clean hands before you put your gloves on, as handling the gloves with dirty hands will result in unsterile gloves.

You may also decide to stand in front of the toilet if it is comfortable for you to reach down and hold your penis. You could then point the end of the catheter into the toilet so it drains into the toilet directly.

Make sure you wash the head of your penis and the urinary meatus, which is the small opening where your urine comes out. Once you are done, rinse and dry your penis well. Then, place the container you are using to collect the urine next to your thigh so it is easy to access.

Put the catheter around seven to ten inches (18 cm to 25 cm) into your penis using a gentle, pushing motion. Once urine starts to flow through the catheter, you can push the catheter up one inch (2. 54 cm) more and keep it in place until you are done urinating. Make sure the other end of the catheter is positioned in a container or in the toilet so the urine can be collected and disposed of properly.

You should then attach the collection bag to the catheter so it can hold the urine as you urinate. The inflated balloon should rest on the urethral opening of your bladder so the urine can be collected properly.

If there is a collection bag, you should remove the bag and dispose of it properly in the garbage. You can then pull your foreskin down if you are not circumcised to protect your penis. Remove and throw away your medical gloves. Wash your hands well.

If the catheter is single-use only, you should throw it away and use a new one. You should also throw away any catheters that appear torn, hardened, or cracked. Depending on your doctor’s recommendations, you may need to use the catheter at least four times a day to ensure you are urinating regularly.

You should also make sure the catheter opening is not blocked by the lubricant or mucus. You may need to remove it to determine this. If no urine comes out even after you rotate it, you can try coughing to encourage urine to flow.

Take a deep breath in and try to relax as you push the catheter in to make it easier to insert. If it is still difficult, do not force it. [20] X Expert Source Robert Dhir, MDBoard Certified Urologist & Urological Surgeon Expert Interview. 23 September 2020. You may want to wait an hour and try again, focusing on staying relaxed and calm as you insert it in.

You should also see your doctor if you develop stomach cramps, your urine appears cloudy, smelly, or discolored, or you feel feverish. You may have a urinary issue that needs to be addressed before you can try using the catheter again.