If you’re unable to urinate on your own, your doctor might recommend a catheter. A catheter is a thin, flexible tube made of rubber or plastic. It drains urine from your bladder into a drainage bag.
People get catheters for a variety of reasons. For example, you might have a catheter after pelvic surgery, while your body heals. You might also need a catheter if you have trouble emptying your bladder or if you have a nerve condition that affects bladder control, such as spinal cord injury, stroke, or multiple sclerosis.
Some people use catheters for just a few days. In other cases, catheters might be needed long term.
What are the different types of catheters?
There are two kinds of catheters:
An indwelling catheter stays in place for longer periods — sometimes up to three or four weeks.
- An intermittent catheter is a single tube that helps you empty your bladder when you choose to. You might be able to insert and remove it on your own or have a caregiver help you. Your doctor will show you how.
- An indwelling catheter stays in place for longer periods — sometimes up to three or four weeks — before it is changed. It is inserted by a doctor.
There are two types of indwelling catheters:
- Foley catheters are the most common type. They are inserted through your urethra — the tube that urine flows through when you urinate. One end of the catheter has a balloon, which is filled with sterile water once it’s inside your bladder. The balloon helps the catheter stay in place. Your urine drains from the other end of the catheter.
- Suprapubic catheters work in a similar way. But the doctor inserts the catheter through an incision in your abdomen instead of your urethra.
Your catheter will come with a urine drainage bag to hold urine. Some drainage bags are small and can be strapped to your leg under your clothes. This helps keep you mobile during the day. At night, you may have a large bag that stays by your bed while you sleep.
No matter which type of catheter you use, it’s critical to take care of it properly. Doing so will lower your risk for infections.
In this article, we’ll focus on indwelling catheters. Your doctor will give you specific instructions for your situation, including how often you should clean your catheter and drainage bag. Here, we’ll go over some of the basics of indwelling catheter care.
General tips for indwelling catheter care
Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after touching the catheter, drainage bag, or tubing. You might also use sterile, disposable gloves.
Keeps these tips in mind whenever you have a catheter:
- Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after touching the catheter, drainage bag, or tubing. You might also use sterile, disposable gloves.
- Keep the tubing and bag below the level of your bladder so urine flows downward and does not back up.
- Do not pull on the catheter or twist the tubing.
- Do not disconnect the catheter from the tubing unless your doctor tells you to. This can increase infection risk.
- Do not use powders, creams, or lotions near the catheter.
- Drink plenty of fluids to keep urine moving.
Caring for your catheter and skin
You should clean the area where the catheter enters your body at least once a day. Your doctor will let you know the right schedule for you.
- Gather your supplies. You’ll need mild soap, warm water, clean washcloths, and clean towels. Disposable wipes can be handy, too. You’ll also need access to a clean sink or container.
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
- Using a soapy washcloth, gently wash the skin around the catheter insertion site. Men using a Foley catheter should wash the tip of the penis and, if they’re circumcised, under the foreskin. Women should wash their vulva from front to back to reduce the spread of germs.
- Gently wash the catheter tubing. Start where it enters your body and wash in a downward direction, away from your body.
- Rinse everything well to remove all soap.
- Pat everything dry with a clean towel.
Emptying, changing, and cleaning the drainage bag
Here are the general steps for emptying your bag. Your doctor will let you know when and how often to do this.
- Wash your hands.
- Hold the bag over the toilet or a clean container.
- Open the drain spout at the bottom of the bag. Make sure the spout doesn’t touch the toilet or container.
- Let the urine drain into the toilet or container.
- Close the drain spout.
- Wash your hands again.
To switch to a clean bag, follow these steps:
- Wash your hands.
- Clamp or pinch the catheter tubing to keep urine from leaking out.
- Disconnect the tubing from the old bag. Be sure not to touch either end of the tubing.
- Attach the new, clean bag.
- Stop clamping or pinching the tubing to allow urine to drain into the new bag.
- Wash your hands again.
Your doctor might have you clean your drainage bags with a solution of vinegar and water. They will give you specific instructions for the type of bag that you have.
What should I watch for?
You’ll want to make sure your catheter is working properly and that your skin is healthy.
Even with good care, problems can happen. If you notice anything unusual, give your doctor a call.
Signs of a possible infection (such as a urinary tract infection or kidney infection):
- Fever or chills
- Burning or pain in the lower belly or urethra.
- Urine that is cloudy, smelly, bloody, or dark
- Pain in your back or sides
- Red, tender skin
- Discharge of pus
- Fatigue or difficulty concentrating
- Achiness
Signs of blockage
A blocked catheter can stop urine from draining. This is serious because urine can build up in the bladder and kidneys.
Call your doctor if:
- No urine is draining into the bag.
- Urine is draining very slowly.
- Do not try to fix the blockage yourself.
Signs of leaks
If the catheter is leaking:
- Check that the tubing is not kinked.
- Check the drainage bag position.
- Ensure the tubing is secured properly.
Call your doctor if leaks continue.
Some people have bladder spasms — cramping feelings caused by the bladder trying to push the catheter out. These can cause leakage around the catheter. Your doctor might prescribe medicine to help.
Signs of skin issues
Call your doctor if you have these symptoms of irritation or infection.
- Redness
- Swelling
- Skin breakdown
- Rashes
- Pain where the catheter enters the body
When to seek emergency care
Go to the emergency room if:
- You have severe abdominal or back pain.
- You cannot pass urine into the bag.
- You have a fever and shaking chills.
- The catheter comes out by accident.
- You notice blood in your urine.
Adjusting to your indwelling catheter
Living with an indwelling catheter may feel overwhelming at first, but most people adjust quickly. Here are some ideas to make daily care easier:
- Create a routine. Clean the area at the same time each day.
- Keep supplies in one place so they are easy to find.
- Tell your doctor if you have any discomfort.
- Let caregivers know how to help you safely.
Remember, the catheter is designed to help your body heal or function better. And your doctor is always there to answer your questions and give guidance.
Resources
American Urological Association
Averch, Timothy D., MD, et al.
“Indwelling Urinary Catheter Management of the Acute Patient”
(2024)
https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/quality-and-measurement/quality-improvement/clinical-consensus-statement-and-quality-improvement-issue-brief-(ccs-and-qiib)/indwelling-urinary-catheter-management-of-the-acute-patient
Cleveland Clinic
“Urinary Catheter”
(Last reviewed on May 21, 2025)
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/catheter
Government of Western Australia – Department of Health
“Troubleshooting for your catheter”
(Not dated)
https://www.healthywa.wa.gov.au/articles/s_t/troubleshooting-for-your-catheter
Ignite Healthwise via Kaiser Permanente
“Care for an Indwelling Urinary Catheter”
(Current as of April 9, 2025)
https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/health-encyclopedia/he.care-for-an-indwelling-urinary-catheter.tv7406spec
MedlinePlus
“Indwelling catheter care”
(Review date: January 1, 2025)
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000140.htm
UpToDate
“Patient education: How to care for a urinary catheter (The Basics)”
(Not dated)
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/how-to-care-for-a-urinary-catheter-the-basics
Schaeffer, Anthony J., MD
“Placement and management of urinary catheters in adults”
(Topic last updated: December 4, 2024)
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/placement-and-management-of-urinary-catheters-in-adults