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An indwelling urinary catheter is a soft, flexible tube that is placed into your bladder to allow continuous bladder drainage. There are two main types of indwelling catheters; a urethral catheter which goes in through the natural opening where urine normally leaves your body, and a suprapubic catheter which goes through a small opening in your lower tummy. The catheter allows urine to flow out of your body either into a drainage bag or be emptied through a small valve.
Good daily care of your catheter is essential to prevent infection, discomfort, and complications. The following guidance combines practical recommendations from the European Association of Urological Nurses (EAUN)1 and the UK’s National Health Service2 to help you manage your catheter safely and confidently.
Good hygiene is the foundation of catheter care, so be sure to always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before and after touching your catheter, drainage bag, or valve. If hand washing facilities are not available, use hand sanitiser. This simple step can significantly reduce infection.
If possible, have a daily shower with your leg bag or valve attached. Clean the area where the catheter enters your body at least once a day using mild or unperfumed soap and water. Use a clean cloth or flannel that is only used for this purpose and gently wash along the catheter tubing moving away from the body. Carefully pat dry the area after washing. Avoid using talcum powder, and do not overuse creams or lotions, as these can irritate the skin and increase risk of infection.
For urethral catheters, additional care is needed. Men who are uncircumcised should wash under the foreskin and always replace it afterwards. If the foreskin cannot be returned or the penis becomes sore, urgent medical advice is needed. Women should always wash from front to back to prevent bacteria spreading from the bowel.
For suprapubic catheters, some people may notice slight discharge around the insertion site. A dry dressing can be used around the catheter to protect clothing if this occurs. If concerned or the site becomes painful, seek healthcare advice for management. Wearing loose, comfortable clothing helps prevent irritation and ensures urine can flow freely.
A catheter securement device should always be used to prevent the catheter from pulling and moving about, which can cause discomfort, trauma and irritation. This might be a strap, sleeve, or adhesive device fixed to the skin. The securement device depends on your individual preferences, a healthcare professional can advise and show you how and when to change it.
Maintaining a closed drainage system is a key EAUN recommendation. This simply means you avoid disconnecting your catheter from the drainage bag or valve unless necessary, as this increases infection risk.
Your catheter bag should always be kept below the level of your bladder to aid gravitational drainage. To achieve this, attach your leg bag to your thigh or calf using straps, sleeves, or a holster.
When attaching straps to your leg bag, ensure they go through the slots and behind the inlet tube, not over it, as this can block urine flow. Bag size and tubing length can be selected based on your lifestyle. Longer tubing may be useful under trousers, while shorter tubing can be more discreet under skirts or shorts.
Men with urethral catheters should alternate the position of the leg bag regularly to prevent rubbing or pressure damage to the penis from the catheter tubing.
Caring for and Changing Your Leg Bag
Wash or sanitise your hands before and after handling your leg bag. Empty the bag when it is about two-thirds full to prevent pulling and maintain comfort. To reduce infection risk, only disconnect the bag when replacing it. Most leg bags are changed weekly, ideally on the same day each week.
When changing your leg bag:
Some people use a valve instead of a drainage bag. This allows the bladder to maintain the normal function of filling, which is then emptied manually by opening the valve.
Open the valve:
Only disconnect and replace the valve weekly, unless advised otherwise. While valves can allow more freedom and are more discreet than leg bags, not everyone is suitable for a valve, so always follow healthcare advice.
Night bags allow continuous drainage while you sleep. Attach the night bag to your leg bag or valve before going to bed and ensure you maintain the closed drainage system. Open the valve or tap to allow urine to drain freely into the night bag, ensuring it is kept below the level of the bladder.
In the morning:
Maintaining good hydration is essential for bladder and bowel health. Aim to drink around 1.5 to 2 litres of fluid daily unless advised otherwise. This helps prevent infection, keeps urine flowing, and reduces the risk of blockages. Try to limit caffeine and alcohol, as these may irritate the bladder.
A full bowel can press on the bladder and stop urine draining properly. To maintain bowel function and prevent constipation, keep well hydrated and eat a balanced diet with plenty of fibre (such as fruit and vegetables). In addition, avoid straining, allow enough time for bowel movements, and lean forward on the toilet with feet apart and elbows on knees to help empty the bowel.
Catheters can be a key source of infection, so it is important to watch for early signs of complications, including:
Seek healthcare advice promptly if any of these occur.
The World Health Organisation recognises that sexuality is a normal and central part of being human throughout life3. It is possible to have sexual intercourse with a catheter. While a suprapubic catheter may make this easier, sex can also be achieved with a urethral catheter by employing a few simple steps:
· Before intercourse wash your hands and empty your bag or valve.
· For men, the catheter can be folded along the penis with a loop and secured with a condom. For women, the catheter can be taped out of the way.
· After intercourse, clean the genital area thoroughly.
Stop if you experience pain or discomfort and seek advice if needed.
With some simple planning there is no reason why you can’t live an active and fulfilling life with an indwelling catheter. Some practical tips include planning ahead for travel, having spare supplies when you go out, and wearing loose dark clothing that doesn’t restrict urine flow and hides accidental leaks. Stay active where possible, and get advice from your healthcare provider about exercise, transport, and working arrangements.
Safe catheter care combines:
By following these evidence-based and practical steps, you can reduce complications and maintain comfort, independence, and quality of life while living with a catheter.
m|devices offers free trial samples so you can try products before committing to determine the best one to meet your needs.
Explore the m|devices continence care catheter range here to consult with your healthcare provider or request a free sample here of our leg bags or overnight drainage bags
References
1. European Association of Urology Nurses. 2024. Evidence-based guidelines for best practice in urological health care: Indwelling catheterisation in adults – urethral and suprapubic [online]. Available at: https://nurses.uroweb.org/guidelines/indwelling-catheterisation-in-adults-urethral-and-suprapubic/chapter/documentation?utm [Accessed: 1 May 2026].
2. National Health Service. 2023. My Urinary Catheter Passport [online]. Available at:
https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/Catheter-passport-v8-complete-patient-and-clinical-Nov-2023.pdf [Accessed 2 May 2026].
3. World Health Organisation. 2006. Sexual Health [online]. Available at: https://www.who.int/health-topics/sexual-health#tab=tab_2 [Accessed 10 May 2026].
