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What is an external condom catheter?
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An external condom catheter is a male urinary incontinence device consisting of a flexible sheath that fits over the penis just like a condom. The condom part is then attached to a tube that drains the urine into a urinary storage bag. These types of catheters are usually helpful for those individuals who suffer from male urinary incontinence due to a medical condition.
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What are the benefits of external condom catheters?
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- Reduced risk of UTIs (urinary tract infections) because condom catheters are worn externally and also have a short-term use
- Inconspicuous
- Comfortable
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What are the different types of external condom catheters?
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- Self-adhesive or One Piece: Self-adhering or one piece condom catheters have shorter sheaths, which make them especially suitable for men with retracted or short penis shafts.
- Two Piece: Two-piece condom catheters usually come equipped with silicone or adhesive strips, adhesives that are sprayed or brushed on, elasticized tape, latex strips with eyelet and button, or Velcro closure straps to secure the catheter to the penis.
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How to determine catheter size?
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- When fitting an uncircumcised male, allow sufficient space within the sheath to prevent the foreskin from being drawn into the sheath outlet during voiding.
- If the penis retracts with position changes such as sitting, a shorter sheath or different type of product might be needed.
- To obtain a correct fit for self-adherent and inflatable external catheters, determine the diameter of the penis.
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What care must be taken while attaching an external condom catheter?
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- Delicate care must be taken when attaching the condom catheter to the penis. If the attachment is too tight it may block the urethra, causing pain and other issues. Alternatively, if the attachment is too loose urine may leak around the edge of the catheter.
- Adhesive foam strips and elastic foam strips are the most popular options used to attach the catheter to the penis.
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What are the precautions to be considered when applying an external condom catheter?
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- Wash entire genital area well with soap and water
- Retract foreskin and wash well; rinse and dry well because bacteria tend to collect here
- Check the skin of the penis for redness or abrasions
- Allow the skin to air; the skin prep applied to penis will protect it from moisture
- Roll the external catheter upward until the entire penis is covered
- Do not overlap tape so as to allow for penile erection and proper circulation
- Do not stretch tape tightly
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What should the wear time be for an external condom catheter?
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- Some patients can tolerate longer wear times without skin damage
- Common wear times are 12 to 72 hours
- Wear time should be re-evaluated periodically based on an individual’s needs
- Remove the catheter daily to clean and inspect the skin unless a longer wear time is recommended by the manufacture, i.e. extended-wear catheter
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What care must be taken while removing an external condom catheter?
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First detach the catheter from the urinary bag and then carefully roll the catheter off. Removal of the sheath is helped if the penis is soaked with a warm washcloth for 30 seconds. Sometimes, adhesive remover may be used to aid in the removal process. After the sheath is off, wash the skin thoroughly with warm water and soap. Re-application of a new catheter should be after a breather. The skin should first be dried thoroughly and inspected for redness or irritation before a new catheter is rolled on.
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How to choose the right condom catheter?
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Choosing the right condom means picking the correct size. This is key to ensuring comfort and security. The way to find out what size you need is to measure the circumference of the penis and match it to the closest catheter size available. The size is usually shown in millimeters or inches.
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What if I do not get the exact size of catheter to match the penis circumference?
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Then go for the smaller size available. You can stretch a condom catheter to provide a snug fit but if the catheter is one size bigger then it will be loose and not properly adhere. A condom catheter that is loose will not work.
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