Types of urinary catheter

There are several different types of urinary catheter, which are inserted and used in different ways.

Themain types of catheter are outlined below. You can also read a summary of the pros and cons of the different types of catheter, allowing you to compare your treatment options.

Intermittent urinary catheters

In most cases, intermittent urinary catheters are recommended. These catheters are inserted several times a day, forjust long enough to drain your bladder, and are then removed.

You should be taught how to do this yourself. This is known as clean intermittent self-catheterisation (CISC).

The catheter is normally inserted into your bladder via the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of your body). The sterile catheter is usually pre-lubricated and ready to use to reduce any discomfort or damage inserting the catheter.

One end of the catheter is either left open-ended to allow drainage into a toilet or attached to a bag to collect the urine. The other end is guided through your urethra until it enters your bladder and urine starts to flow.

When the flow of urine stops, the catheter can be removed. A new catheter is used each time.

Indwelling urinary catheters

An indwelling urinary catheter is inserted in the same way as an intermittent catheter, but the catheter is left in place.

The catheter is held in the bladder by a water-filled balloon, which prevents it falling out. These types of catheters are often referred to as Foley catheters.

Urine is drained through a tube connected to a collection bag, which can either be strapped to the inside of your leg or attached to a stand on the floor.

Indwelling catheters are not always free-draining and the catheter is sometimes fitted with a valve. The valve can be opened to allow urine to be drained into a toilet and closed to allow the bladder to fill with urine until drainage is convenient.

Most indwelling catheters are not suitable to remain in place for longer than three months, so will need to be changed regularly.

Suprapubic catheters

A suprapubic catheter is a type of indwelling catheter. Rather than being inserted through your urethra, the catheter is inserted through a hole in your abdomen and then directly into your bladder. This procedure can be carried out under general anaesthetic, epidural anaesthetic or local anaesthetic.

A suprapubic catheter is used when the urethra is damaged or blocked, or when a person has a long-term condition and is unable to use an intermittent catheter.

The catheter may be secured to the side of your body and attached to a collection bag strapped to your leg. Alternatively, a valve can be attached that opens to allow urine to be drained into a toilet, and closes to allow the bladder to fill with urine until drainage is convenient.

The catheter is usually changed every six to eight weeks.

The British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) website has a more detailed leaflet on inserting a suprapubic catheter (PDF, 242kb).