Types of Male Catheters

The following are the general types of male catheters used to manage urinary incontinence. If you do not find the specific male catheter information you are looking for or you have any additional questions please call a Catheter Supply-Care Specialist at 1-866-642-6840.

Liberator Catheter Supply-Care provides a wide range of catheters and urological supplies from leading manufacturers you know and trust like Bard, Cure, Coloplast, Hollister, Mentor, Rochester Medical and Rusch.

Intermittent Catheters

Male intermittent catheters are typically 12 inches long and come in French sizes 10Fr-24Fr. They are available in a variety of materials including red rubber, plastic and silicone. Intermittent catheters (IC) are used in men with spinal cord injuries (quadriplegics & paraplegics) and for those men with urinary retention (incomplete bladder emptying).

Intermittent catheters also come in hydrophilic and antibacterial varieties.

The antibacterial catheter provides a site specific controlled release of nitrofurizone, which significantly reduces catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Nitrofurizone has established efficacy against common Gram-positive and Gram-negative urinary bacterial pathogens. Extensive historical searches of world literature show no clinically significant nitrofuran resistance has occurred after over 50 years of use. The coating is engineered to prevent bacterial adherence and preserve the integrity of the urethral mucosa. There are also antibacterial hydrophilic combination catheters.

Hydrophilic-coated catheters are characterized by having a layer of polymer coating that is bound to the catheter surface. The polymer absorbs and binds water to the catheter, resulting in a thick, smooth and slippery surface. The coating layer remains intact upon introduction into the man's urethra and ensures lubrication of the urethra in its entire length. The catheters have been shown to lead to better patient satisfaction with this type of technique and are assumed to reduce the risk of urethral damage by decreasing the friction exerted when the catheter is inserted and withdrawn.

Male External Catheters

The condom catheter or Texas catheter is a condom like device that is placed over the penis. A drainage tube is attached to the condom that allows the urine to pass into a urinary storage bag. There are several different external condom catheters available. They are made from latex rubber, polyvinyl, or silicone and are attached on the shaft of the penis by several different methods; a double-sided adhesive, latex inflatable cuff, jockey's type strap, or foam strap. They are then attached to urine drainage bags by a tube. Some catheters have a circumferential band that may be too restricting to the shaft of the penis for some men.

There are also reusable condom catheters that are for men who are active and have incontinence. These reusable condom catheters are used by men who have urinary incontinence after prostate surgery.

Indwelling Catheters

Indwelling urethral catheter, often called a foley catheter, is a closed, sterile system inserted into the urethra to allow the bladder to drain. The male indwelling catheter is 16 inches long and comes in French sizes 12Fr-26Fr. The indwelling catheter is considered to be a unisex catheter and is used for people with urinary incontinence that is caused by obstruction (blockage in the urethra) or urinary retention (incomplete bladder emptying) that cannot be treated with other methods like with surgery, medications or by sterile intermittent catheterization. It is also used in very sick people where the incontinence interferes with monitoring of urinary output and in terminally ill or severely impaired men for whom moving is painful, or people with skin irritation or pressure ulcers that are caused by incontinence. These types of catheters are also used in situations when a person is homebound, lives alone and a family member or a caregiver is not available to help. An indwelling catheter needs to be replaced at least every four weeks.

Indwelling catheters also come in hydrophilic and antibacterial varieties. Indwelling catheters are usually attached to drainage bags, overnight or leg drainage bags. An overnight bag is a bag with a long tube that is used during the night. The bag should be hung over the side of the bed below the level of your catheter so that the urine will flow easily.

Some indwelling catheters come with a Coude or curved tip specifically used for men. Using a coude or curved tip catheter will make it easier for men to thread the catheter past their prostate. The clear more rigid catheter makes insertion easier.