Condom catheters for males

One way to empty the bladder is by using a condom catheter. This device looks like a typical condom with a tube that is connected to a urinary drainage bag. It is only used for males.

The step-by-step process of putting on a condom

  1. Gather supplies.
    1. Correct condom type and size
    2. Soapy and wet washcloths
    3. Condom strap, if using this product
  2. Wash hands with soap and water.
  3. Take off old condom if one is currently on. Roll it off the penis. Do not pull it off, as this could harm the skin.
  4. Wash the penis with the soapy washcloth and rinse with the wet cloth. Remember to pull the foreskin, if present, back and clean the head of the penis. Roll the foreskin back down to cover the penis when done.
    A person carefully cleans a large, light-colored animal hoof with a cloth, the hoof resting gently on a blue sheet. The meticulous attention given to the task mirrors the precision of using catheters to aid bladder function after injury.
  5. Dry penis well.
  6. Take fresh condom out of package. Roll up the condom toward the funnel-shaped end. Some people use skin prep applied to the penis before putting on the condom. The skin prep helps keep the condom in place.
  7. Place the funnel end of the condom over the head of the penis.
    A medical simulation mannequin is positioned for an obstetric procedure. A hand inserts a tool, like catheters used to aid bladder function after injury, into the mannequin, partially covered by a blue cloth, vividly demonstrating a childbirth scenario.
  8. Roll the condom down over the head of the penis all the way to the base of the penis. If this is a self-adhesive type of condom, hold it in place after it is fully rolled down for 10 seconds. If it is not a self-adhesive condom, continue to the next step.
  9. Get the condom holder out of the package. Wrap the condom holder about one inch above the base of the penis. Pull the strap over one finger to make sure the strap is not too tight.
    Close-up of hands applying a blue cross-pattern adhesive bandage to a joint, possibly a model or prosthetic, covered partially with a blue cloth, reminiscent of how catheters aid bladder function after injury.
  10. Fasten the condom holder. Fasten the elastic strap to the Velcro, if using this product. The condom strap should be changed at least daily when doing ICs or when using the condom without ICs.
  11. Connect the condom to a leg bag or bedside bag.
    A person demonstrates a medical procedure on a dummy model, applying a catheter to the urinary area. This technique uses catheters to aid bladder function after injury. The model's lower body is covered with a blue sheet, and hands are visible holding the catheter and tubing.
  12. Wear the leg bag below the knee.
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