Benefits of Using a Condom or Other External Catheter

When you have urinary troubles, finding a solution that works best for you is of paramount importance. Fortunately, there are many options out there to handle incontinence-related issues. After talking with your doctor, you might find out that catheterization is the best option for you. While they’ll likely suggest the type you should use, ultimately, the decision is up to you.

While many people either use intermittent or indwelling catheters, there’s a third option that often gets overlooked. This is the external catheter. If you haven’t heard of this type before, you’re likely wondering if it’s even worth considering. That’s why we’ve decided to review all of the benefits of condom and other external catheters. That way, you can make an informed decision on whether or not they’re the right choice for you.

What Are the Types of External Catheters?

Before we can dive into the benefits, we first need to cover the two main types of catheters. Understanding their key differences will make it easier to understand the advantages each one offers.

Condom Catheters

The most well-known version of the external catheter is the condom catheter. These look and function very similarly to normal condoms, only there’s a tube on the end through which urine travels to an external collection bag.

There are different types of condom catheters, but their main differences are in the materials they’re made out of, not in how they function. Due to the nature of how you put these catheters on, they’re best for those with male genitalia. That means most women will need to use the other option.

Urethral Insert Catheters

The urethral insert catheter is for those who don’t have male genitalia. To compensate for that, these external catheters are inserted into the urethra in order to stay in place. They don’t stretch all the way to the bladder like other catheter types, though. Other than that, they function very similarly to condom catheters. They have a tube that leads urine to an external bag for later removal.

What Are the Benefits of External Catheters?

Now that you understand the key differences between the condom and urethral insert external catheters, it’s time to look at the benefits of using these products. There are quite a few worth noting, but not all of them will apply to each user, so be sure to determine if an advantage applies to your situation or not.

Easy To Put On

The biggest draw of external catheters is their ease of use. Anyone who has ever used a condom before will already know how to use a condom catheter. Urethral insert catheters are also quite self-explanatory for new users.

On top of being simple in concept, they’re also easy to put on in practice. This is perfect for older users who might struggle to properly insert an intermittent or indwelling catheter. They’re also great for those who are bedridden. In most scenarios, you won’t need the assistance of a medical professional to put an external catheter on.

Reasonably Comfortable

Since these catheters don’t go deep inside your urethra, they’re also much more comfortable for day-to-day use. While intermittent and indwelling catheter users eventually get used to the feeling of a catheter inside of them, external catheter users don’t have to worry about this at all. We would like to note, though, that external catheters might feel a little strange at first, but they’re never uncomfortable.

Fewer Infections

One thing many people don’t know is that urinary infections, such as UTIs, are much more common for those using internal catheters. While getting a urethral infection while using an external one is still possible, it’s far less likely. As long as you clean yourself properly, you should never have to worry about getting a UTI while wearing an external catheter.

Cause Less Damage

Another common issue for those who use internal catheters is that they might accidentally damage their urethra while inserting or pulling out their catheter. Even though these injuries usually come from negligence, they really aren’t a possibility for external catheter users. However, if you use a urethral insert, there is a slight chance that you might damage your urethra, but since these don’t intrude very far, the chances are much less likely.

Better for Bladder Issues

Since intermittent and indwelling catheters reach all the way into a person’s bladder, they could negatively affect certain conditions, such as bladder spasms and bladder stones. If you have either of these, your doctor will likely recommend an external catheter since this type doesn’t interact with the bladder at all.

Good for Dementia Patients

Finally, external catheters are a great option for people who have dementia. Even though many dementia patients don’t have incontinence or other urinary issues, an external catheter will be useful to them since they don’t always recognize when they need to urinate. External catheters are the best choice here since the user will be less likely to notice that they’re wearing them in the first place.

What Are the Disadvantages of External Catheters?

While we mainly wanted to focus on the positives of using an external catheter, it wouldn’t be fair if we completely ignored the negatives. We’ve put together a few of the main disadvantages you should be aware of before deciding to use an external catheter.

Won’t Help With Urination

Even though the fact that external catheters don’t reach into your bladder is generally a positive, in some cases, it can be a bad thing. Some people who experience incontinence can’t empty their bladder entirely on their own. Intermittent and indwelling catheters help with this issue since they help open up the bladder. If you have this issue, you’ll want to avoid external options.

Potential for Leakage

Since external catheters don’t extend into the urethra, there’s also a chance of potential leakage. For condom catheters, this is most likely if there is a tear in the condom or a blockage in the tubing. For urethral insert users, this can happen if you don’t insert the catheter properly.

Cause Skin Irritation

Finally, since both types of external catheters sit outside of the body and need to rest against your skin for support, there’s also a chance that they can cause skin irritation. In extreme scenarios, they can even cause necrosis. However, as long as you take care of your skin between catheter changes, you should never have to worry about any of these issues.

Are External Catheters the Right Choice for You?

Now that you have a better understanding of external catheters, it’s time to decide if they’re the right option for you. For those of you who want to give this option a try, you should check out our selection of external catheter systems online. We have many options to choose from, so we’re positive you’ll be able to find the one that works best for you.