Living with - Urinary catheter

It's possible to live a relatively normal life with a long-term urinary catheter, although it may take some getting used to at first.

Your doctor or a specialist nurse will give you detailed advice about looking after your catheter.

Catheter equipment

You'll be given a supply of catheter equipment when you leave hospital and be told where you can get more supplies. Catheter equipment is generally available on prescription from pharmacies.

You'll also be shown how to empty and change your equipment.

Intermittent catheters

Intermittent catheters are usually designed to be used once and then thrown away.

How to use them varies from person to person. You may be advised to use them at regular intervals spaced evenly throughout the day, or only when you feel you need the toilet.

The charity Bladder and Bowel Community has more information on intermittent self-catheterisation.

Indwelling catheters

An indwelling catheter can either drain into a bag attached to your leg, which has a tap at the bottom so it can be emptied, or it can be emptied into the toilet directly, using a valve.

You should empty the bag before it's completely full (around half to three-quarters full). Valves should be used to drain urine at regular intervals throughout the day to prevent urine building up in the bladder.

Leg bags and valves should be changed every 7 days. The bag can be attached to your right or left leg, depending on which side is most comfortable for you. 

At night, you'll need to attach a larger bag. Your night bag should either be attached to your leg bag or to the catheter valve. It should be placed on a stand next to your bed, near the floor, to collect urine as you sleep. Single-use night bags are usually used to reduce the risk of infection.

The catheter itself will need to be removed and replaced at least every 3 months. This is usually done by a doctor or nurse, although sometimes it may be possible to teach you or your carer to do it.

The charity Bladder and Bowel Community has more information on indwelling catheters.

Preventing infections and other complications

Having a long-term urinary catheter increases your risk of developing urinary tract infections (UTIs) and can also lead to other problems, such as blockages.

To minimise these risks you should:

• wash the skin in the area where the catheter enters your body with mild soap and water every day
• wash your hands with soap and warm water before and after touching your catheter equipment
• make sure you stay well hydrated – you should aim to drink enough fluids so that your urine stays a pale colour
• avoid constipation – staying hydrated can help with this, as can eating high-fibre foods, such as fruit and vegetables and wholegrain foods
• avoid having kinks or bends in the catheter and make sure any urine collection bags are always kept below the level of your bladder

Read more about the risks of urinary catheterisation.

Your regular activities

Having a urinary catheter should not stop you from doing most of your usual activities. You'll be advised about when it's safe for you to go to work, exercise, go swimming, go on holidays, and have sex.

If you have an intermittent catheter or a suprapubic catheter, you should be able to have sex as usual.

It may still be possible to have sex with an indwelling catheter in place, but it can be more difficult. Get advice from a doctor or nurse before having sex if you have an indwelling catheter. They may be able to suggest a different type of catheter to make sex easier for you.

If you’re finding daily activities difficult with a catheter, speak to a doctor or your community nurse.

Find out more about sexual relationships when you have a catheter on the Bladder & Bowel Community website

When to get medical advice

Contact your community nurse immediately if:

• you develop severe or ongoing bladder spasms (painful cramps in your lower tummy or pelvis)
• your catheter is blocked, or urine is leaking around the edges
• your urine is bloodstained or has specks of blood in it (you may have accidentally pulled on your catheter)
• you're passing bright red blood
• you have symptoms of a UTI, such as lower abdominal pain, a high temperature and you feel shivery
• you have an indwelling catheter that has fallen out and you do not know how to replace it

If you're unable to contact your community nurse, call 111.

Read more about the risks of urinary catheterisation.

Support groups and further information

Living with a catheter can be challenging. You may find it useful to get more information and advice from support groups and other organisations.

For example, the charity Bladder and Bowel Community provides information and support for people with bladder and bowel conditions.