Female Catheters: The Complete Guide

What Are the Different Types of Female Catheters?

When choosing a female catheter, there are quite a few options, including straight, hydrophilic, closed-system, and compact catheters. Here is more information about each of the different types of catheters for females. 

How to Use a Female Catheter

Prior to using any female catheter, read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and contact your healthcare professional treating physician or nurse with any questions.

Before you self-catheterize, ensure that you have all the necessary supplies on hand. For most women, these include the catheter, sterile lubricating jelly, cleaning wipe/towelette, and a container to collect the urine if a toilet is not available.

Here are some simple steps that will help make the self-catheterization process much easier:

• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. If you prefer, you may also use disposable gloves. 
• Ensure that your genital area is clean and dry. You can clean your labia using a baby wipe or antiseptic towelette. 
• Peel back the paper side of the catheter packet without touching the catheter. 
• If you are using a non-lubricated catheter, apply lubricating jelly to the top 2 inches of the device. 
• Gently fold back the labia and locate the urethral opening (You may also use a mirror to help with this process).
• Holding your labia with one hand, use your other hand to gently slide the catheter up into the urethra until urine begins to flow. 
• Let the urine drain into the toilet or container. 
• Once the urine flow has stopped, place a finger over the end of the tube and remove the catheter. 
• You can dispose of the used catheter in the normal trash. Never flush the device down the toilet. 

It is important to never force the catheter if it feels stuck. Instead, remove the device, take a few deep breaths, and try again.

Female Catheter Sizing

A female catheter tube is typically between 5 and 8 inches long, however, intermittent catheters often have their diameters measured in French sizes. One French unit (Fr) equals 0.013 inches or 0.33mm.

In general, female intermittent urinary catheters fall in the 8Fr to 16Fr range. The higher this number, the larger the catheter’s diameter.

Can a Woman Use a Male Catheter?

The primary difference between male and female catheters is the length of the device. As the urethra in women is considerably shorter, female catheters are also shorter.

Women can make use of both female-size and longer (male-sized) catheters. Standard and male-length catheters are typically around 16 inches long. For some women, this length might provide easier access to the urethral opening.

While catheter length depends more or less on a female patient’s personal preference, men should not use female intermittent catheters. Because of the difference in urethral lengths, a female-size catheter would not be able to reach the bladder in men.

What is Intermittent Catheterization for Females?

A female catheter is a type of intermittent catheter. Intermittent self-catheterization (ISC) is the process of inserting and removing a urinary catheter to empty the bladder at regular intervals throughout the day. ISC may be required due to urinary retention, incontinence, and spinal cord injuries. 

Intermittent catheters are small flexible tubes used to drain urine from the bladder. They are typically inserted through a urethra or a stoma. Intermittent catheters are designed for single-use only and are usually made of red rubber latex, PVC, or silicone. 

As the female urethra is only a few inches long, female intermittent catheters are significantly shorter than standard 16-inch catheters, varying between 5 and 8 inches in length. 

Is It Painful to Self Catheterize?

At the start, self-catheterization may cause slight pain. If you experience discomfort while inserting your catheter, take some time to relax before trying again.

For some people, the entire process of self-catheterization may be uncomfortable and painful. Trying different products and techniques, however, often helps to reduce discomfort.

What Female Catheter Problems You May Have

Though the right product and technique can make self-catheterization more comfortable, there are still a few problems that can occur during the process.