Questions To Ask When Choosing a Catheter

We’ve all been in that position before where we go to the doctor’s office with lots of questions in mind just to forget them all while we’re there. Don’t worry—it happens. If you know you’re prone to doing this and have some questions about how to choose a catheter, you can turn to My Care Supplies. We’re here to help.

Not only will we give you a list of questions to ask, but we’ll also cover our take on the answers. Of course, that doesn’t mean you no longer need to ask your doctor about them. A professional medical opinion always comes first, but at least you can go into the conversation with some prior knowledge.

Which Size Will Fit Me Best?

Since you already know you need a catheter, let’s start by asking which size will fit you best. First of all, you should know that male and female catheters are different lengths. Men have longer urethras than women, so their catheters will be longer on average.

Once you have this aspect down, you need to decide if you want the catheter to reach all the way to your bladder. If it does, usage will be easier, but it might make you more prone to infection. Your doctor can go into more detail on the pros and cons here.

Which Type Will Work for My Lifestyle Needs?

The next big question to ask when choosing a catheter is which type will best suit your lifestyle. If you’re still pretty active, you’ll want to avoid options that result in carrying around a leg bag. Intermittent catheters are the best here since you’ll replace them after each use. This might sound tedious, but it’s the go-to option for active users.

If you spend most of your time at home, indwelling or external catheters might be better for you. Indwelling types stay in for long periods, while external ones require that you change them about once a day. An important thing to note, though, is that most external catheters are for male users. Female versions exist, but they’re not as common.

How Difficult Is It To Change Each Type?

Speaking of which, don’t forget to ask about ease of use. External catheters are by far the easiest since you don’t have to insert them into your urethra. However, they aren’t always the right option for everyone.

The next easiest option is intermittent catheters. These might give you a bit of trouble the first few times, but once you get the hang of them, you’ll be able to put them in and take them out with ease. Lastly, we have indwelling ones. You might need to assistance of a medical professional for these sometimes. Fortunately, you won’t need to remove them often.

How Safe Is Each Option?

Make sure you don’t forget to ask about safety. All catheters are safe, but some will be more prone to infection than others. This is a question that your doctor will be much more qualified to answer for you. But in general, intermittent catheters are the safest option. Since you’ll change them often, they won’t be in long enough to cause an infection.