By express Medical supply, Exmed.net/articles
Condom catheters are a urinary catheter that is worn on the penis for the treatment of incontinence. Men who can no longer retain urine can use external catheters without having to wear adult incontinence briefs. External condom catheters are worn, and when they are connected to a leg bag via extension tubing, they funnel and collect urine away from the body. Most commonly, external condom catheters are made of either silicone or latex. They are self-adhering, which means there is adhesive on the inside of the catheter that allows it to stay outside the penis. External catheters are not a one-size-fits-all item. You will need to take measurements. To use condom catheters, you will need to gather some medical supplies, such as tubing and a leg bag. Just like using any medical device, using external male condom catheters has a learning curve. Be patient with yourself, and don’t be afraid to contact your medical team or an online medical supply for information on how to best use condom catheters.
Sizing External Condom Catheters
External catheters are not one size fits all. To work correctly, they need to check. If they are loose, they will fall off, and if they are too tight, they will be uncomfortable and restrict blood flow. Manufactures make sizing guides available from your local doctor, online medical supply company, or online resource. Using a sizing guide is the best option! If you don’t want to get a sizing guide, all you need to do is take a string and wrap it around the shaft of your penis, making sure the line is neither too tight nor too loose, then measure the string using millimeters. Measure around the shaft of the penis and then divide that number by 3.14 (pie); this is how you get the diameter. The condom catheters are sized in millimeters and are based on the diameter of your penis, not the circumference. The diameter measurement number in millimeters will tell you the size you need to purchase.
Preparation to use the External Condom Catheters:
How to Prep for Success Before Using Your Condom Catheter:
1. Wash hands with soap
2. Trim hairs on the shaft and the base of your penis
3. Wash penis thoroughly with mild residue-free soap
4. Rinse off all soap and trimmed hair
5. Dry the skin thoroughly. It can help use a hairdryer on a low setting to make sure the skin is dry entirely.
How to Apply External Condom Catheters:
• Open the package carefully without unrolling the condom catheter.
• Place the rolled self-adhering catheter over the tip of the penis
• Carefully and slowly start to unroll the condom catheter down the shaft of the penis.
• You will need to leave enough space in the funnel end so the tip of your penis doesn’t rub against the inside of the funnel because it will cause chafing.
• Try to smooth out the condom catheter sheath as you unroll it.
• If you are uncircumcised, leave the foreskin in place over the head of the penis.
• Gently grip the catheter and squeeze gently to make sure the adhesive inside the condom catheter adheres appropriately. Accidental condom failure can occur if this step is skipped.
Be aware; if there are excessive wrinkles in the condom catheter, it can indicate that you have the wrong size; try a smaller size and see if that works better.
