Common Myths About Living With a Catheter Debunked

Due to how catheters work and how few people use them, there are many misconceptions about these incontinence products. Many of these myths stem from lighthearted jokes or rumors that people have heard, but at the end of the day, they’re all untrue. That’s why we’re here to debunk some of the more common myths people have heard about what it’s like to live with a catheter.

They’re Extremely Painful

Let’s start with the most common myth: catheters are very painful. This is simply false. If a person were to haphazardly jam one in, maybe they could hurt themselves, but that would be their own doing. In general, putting in a catheter will only give you slight discomfort at the worst. Most of the time, it just feels a little weird, but people get used to it the more they do it.

Putting Them in Is Complicated

If you don’t have a doctor to talk you through your first insertion or refuse to look up any instructions, putting in a catheter might be difficult. However, the proper method for putting one in is quite simple. Plus, just like with the previous point, the more you do it, the easier it will become.

You Have To Use a Urine Bag

Many people might be shocked to find out that not all catheters use bags to collect urine. The only ones that do are permanent catheters. Most people use intermittent catheters, which are a one-time-use product. After using the catheter, the person has to remove it, throw it away, and put in a new one. This is why they become easier to insert over time, as most people need to do so multiple times a day.

They Can Make Incontinence Worse

Another common myth about living with catheters is that they can worsen your incontinence problems. There’s a misconception that urine can leak outside of the catheter, which is where this myth comes from. However, this is not the case. In fact, the opposite is actually true. Using a catheter can improve incontinence issues because the catheter completely empties the bladder upon each usage.

You Can’t Board a Plane With Them

The myth that you can’t board a plane with a catheter is kind of a weird one, but many people believe it. The logic behind this myth stems from the fact that it can be difficult to remove a catheter in a narrow airplane bathroom. Fortunately, with proper training and practice, it’s entirely possible to change out a catheter while thousands of feet in the air.

However, this myth has become so misconstrued that some people believe you can’t wear one onto a plane due to TSA guidelines. It would be quite difficult to cause trouble with a catheter, so this certainly isn’t why some people choose not to travel overseas while using these products.