Some of the most common problems experienced with male external catheters (also known as condom catheters) can easily be solved by following basic guidelines for everyday comfort and security.
Here’s a quick guide to frequently noted problems and easy solutions for male external catheter users:
Problem: Leakage or skin irritation. Solution: The golden rule for male external catheters is to get the correct size. Choosing the right diameter and sheath length can help prevent leakage. A catheter that is too tight can irritate the skin. If the catheter is too large, leakage will occur. Sizing guides are available from catheter suppliers to ensure the best fit. A ribbon style tape measure may also be used for help with sizing. Another key to success with male external catheters is making sure the skin is completely dry before putting on the catheter.
Problem: Removing the catheter is painful. Solution: A popular technique for gently removing condom catheters is to take a warm washcloth and wrap it around the catheter. Leave on for a minute to loosen any adhesive material. Take caution to use warm water, not hot water, to prevent skin burns.
Problem: Urine backflow. Solution: Keep the drainage bag below the level of the bladder so urine will flow downward through gravity.
Problem: The catheter is being pulled or tugged. Solution: Keep the tubing secured to the upper thigh at all times to reduce tension on the catheter. Catheter straps are often used to secure extension tubing in place.
Problem: Urine is not draining into the leg bag or urine collection device. Solution: Regularly empty the leg bag or collection device, always leaving a small amount of urine in the bag to avoid creating a vacuum. When a vacuum is created, it prevents urine from draining into the bag or collection unit.
It’s important to contact your healthcare professional directly if you are experiencing issues with your male external catheter such as swelling, rash, pain or extreme discomfort.
Source: Coloplast Urology and Continence Care
For more information, see related articles and ostomy resources here:
When i empty the bag i get pain and leakage around the catheter
After right hemi colectomy, twoc failed after several weeks, now keep getting feeling of need to urinate, Next appointment 3 weeks time , should I just continue till then or seek help.thank you James
tried three time but cannot pee after the removal of catheter
Hello William, Thank you for reaching out! In this case, we recommend you contact your primary care physician. Thank you, and have a wonderful day.
i have a neo bladder and have to cather 4 to 5 times a day sometimes I cannot get the catheter in all the time unless it is the red rubber one if I try one time catheters sometimes might work sometimes might not. I would like to use the one time catheters when im not home but can not aways doit any sugesstions.
Nurse at hospital inserted what I sort of thought was too large of a catheter. When she removed it she had me almost off the bed. This was most painful. Now my penis seems to want to just draw up inside. There is no pain, but I have small leakage. What has happened here?
I suffer from chaffing. I understand that a type of ‘condom’ is on the market which slips over the penis and allows the catheter to protrude. Have you any idea what this item is called, and whether or not it would work?
Regards
Have you heard anything about people intermittent catheterizing while the condom catheter is still on. Just disconnecting the tubing not the entire condom catheter. The hope is to decrease irritation with the removal and reapplication of the condom catheter every 4 hours. If so do you know of any literature regarding UTI prevalence with using this method.
Thank you
i have urine leaky some times thur the day and a night i was in depends but this caused sever rash so i found coloplast tryed it and likeed very much im on odsp which cover the cost but my worker went with a new company, they supply almost the same thing there bags had straite tubbing and my cattaters it came off so i had another bag with flexable tubbing and this work great would you know why this worked better
There is a little white puss coming out of my penis where the catheter goes in, do I have an infection what should I do ? I have a doctor appt on Friday.
man I help take care of has an internal catheter. However, there was damage to the urethra done when it was put in and he is leaking from the cath. I would love to suggest an external cath till healing can occur. Any thoughts? Any questions I should be asking or suggestions to help with healing? Thanks,
Is there an adhesive that can be used along with the external catheter to keep slippage of the condom catheter on? Thank you
My dad is experiencing extreme skin irritation on both legs. His skin is peeling an raw and itchy. He’s been to a dermatologist who fobbed it off as dry skin and prescribed E45. It is continuing to get worse and we do not know what to do. He did not have this before he had his catheter. Can you suggest anything??
My Dad(Charlie) has a permanent catheter -bladder doesn’t work anymore. He has leakage at the area where he lets the urine out and he has used different manufacture Foleys. My question is is this a normal occurrence?
I have Catheter. But I feel it is not keeping up with my bladder. I can move it around it will come out. But I can’t sleep or do anything. What should I do. THE ER put new catheter in and said follow up with the uroligist. But this terrible..
Can you detach a Foley leg bag to clean it without a removal of the catheter?
My client use silicon condom catheter. Some time after 6-7 hour it get blocked /glued from front. He goes to recreation centre every day for exercise.Any advise.
Thanks
My husband was going to try the condem style catheter, but it will not adhere to his skin, there were no straps with the catheter and none shown on the directions that came in the box. What do I need to do?
Hi please help,struggling with concern,I am circumcised,should I pull foreskin back,Feels loose to apply if not? The concern keeps detaching when I pre,I am totally losing confidence now and wont/can’t come out. Have now got different optima conveen but scared to try as I just don’t know what to do about the whole circumcision problems! Many thanks
Hello, I have a COLOPLAST CONVEEN condom catheter but unfortunately when I urinate at night it pops off, what could be the problem?
Unable to attach bag to the condom Catheters are there any that fit better? Seems tip of bag is to big for inserting the tip into the condom. Looking for solutions
I am using a coloplast external sheath catheter. I find the sheath too long. Can I cut it down ?