Buying A Catheter For Shy Bladder
When you’ve decided on the one to go for you may find that your doctor is prepared to give you a prescription but, mostly you’ll be buying from a medical supplies store or online. They’re not difficult to find as an internet search will prove.
As for price … we’re talking about a plastic or rubber tube so they’re not expensive at all! Disposable catheters are just a few cents or pence but if you go for a reusable option it’s going to cost you more upfront but you’ll be able to use it again and again.
How To Use A Catheter
Note: Always have a doctor or nurse instruct you on catheter use before trying it yourself. If you encounter any difficulty or problems with using a catheter, see your doctor for help, as there may be a physical problem that requires medical attention.
Using a catheter should not be painful and can provide a discrete, fast and simple way of emptying the bladder whenever needed. For that reason it can be a useful back-up for anyone suffering from Shy Bladder Syndrome.
We suggest that you practice at home before starting to carry one with you. But just how much practice you need depends on how confident you are and how sensitive you are internally.
To insert a catheter:
- Wash/wipe your hands and genital area to reduce the chance of infection
- Put a large blob of sterile water soluble lubricating jelly on the end of the catheter
- Sit on or stand over the toilet (whichever you find most comfortable) and insert the catheter into the opening of the urethra (where the urine comes out) and gently push it up until it reaches the bladder
- When urine starts to flow you’ll know you’ve reached the bladder, push in a further couple of centimetres and hold it in place whilst the urine empties.
- When the urine stops flowing (it will take anywhere between a few seconds and up to a minute usually) gently remove the catheter.
- The catheter can then be washed and stored to be used again.
- Wash/wipe your hands.
And that’s all there is to it! After removal and certainly as you get used to the process, you may feel a slight burning sensation but after time you won’t notice this at all.
Catheters are easy to carry with you discretely. They’ll easily fit into a purse or pocket. Also keep a sachet of sterile lubricating jelly and a disposable hand wipe and that’s all you’ll need.
