Self-Catherization Guidelines for Men
- Wash your hands and your penis with warm, soapy water or a moist towelette.
- Lubricate the tip of the catheter. Place the opposite end of the catheter in the toilet or basin.
- Hold the tip of your penis at a 45 degree angle from your stomach.
- Slowly insert the catheter into your urethra. If it is hard to insert, relax. If you feel a sharp pain, remove the catheter and try again. When urine begins to flow, stop inserting the catheter and lower your penis.
- When the urine stops flowing, slowly remove and discard the catheter. Be sure to wash your hands.
Hints and Tips
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Always use a clean or sterile catheter
- Follow your schedule whether you feel the need to urinate or not
- Keep a log of your self-catheterization schedule
- Relax
When to call your doctor
Even though self-catheterization is safe, occasionally problems may arise. Call your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
- Blood in your urine
- Leakage between catheterizations
- Little or no urine flow
- Pain when inserting the catheter
- Foul-smelling urine
- Lower back or abdomen pain
- Sand-like particles in your urine
- Low-grade fever of 100.4° or higher
For a PDF of this information click here. For a Spanish version, click here.