Many men use intermittent catheters for conditions like urinary retention, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), spinal cord injury, or even after treatment for prostate cancer. If you’re looking for a reliable supplier of male catheters or you’re not sure where to start, this complete guide covers the different types of male catheters, comparing their features and benefits.
At 180 Medical, you can choose from a wide range of trusted brands and find what works best for you based on your body, medical needs, prescription, insurance coverage, and lifestyle.
Main Types of Male Catheters
This comprehensive guide covers every type of intermittent catheter available to men today, including the latest updates and new technologies for comfort, discretion, and hygiene.
Straight Uncoated Male Catheters
Straight intermittent catheters are the original technology. Straight catheters are sometimes called uncoated catheters because they require manual lubrication before insertion.
180 Medical offers high-quality sterile catheter lubricant from trusted brands in several options, including single-use packets and tubes.
Features and Benefits of Uncoated Catheters:
- Simple, no-nonsense catheter design
- Paired with sterile catheter lubricant to ease insertion
- Available in a wide range of French sizes and catheter materials
- A familiar option for long-time catheter users
- Often a cost-effective option, commonly covered by many health insurance plans
Coudé Tip Catheters
Coudé male catheters feature a curved insertion tip. But what’s a coudé tip for? Some men may need a coudé catheter if passing a straight tip catheter is difficult due to anatomy. This can be due to issues like an enlarged prostate, a urethral stricture, or another obstruction or false passage.
Features and Benefits of Coudé Catheters
- A curved insertion tip may help navigate difficult passages that a straight tip cannot
- Comes in a variety of options and types, including hydrophilic, ready-to-use, and closed system catheters
- Available in a range of different catheter French sizes and materials
- May ease the comfort of insertion for some men
Please note: Coudé catheters are only prescribed and covered by insurance when medically necessary for users who cannot pass a straight tip catheter. Talk to your prescribing healthcare provider if you’re having difficulty inserting a standard straight tip.
Hydrophilic and Ready-to-Use Male Catheters
Hydrophilic catheters for men are similar to straight catheters, except for one unique feature: their hydrophilic coating. When activated by water, hydrophilic catheters become very slippery and do not require additional lubrication.
Hydrophilic catheters are designed to be more comfortable and provide a smooth, low-friction catheterization experience from start to finish.
Features and Benefits of Male Hydrophilic Catheters
- A quicker, easier-to-use option for some
- May help reduce friction and discomfort during catheterization
- Smooth slippery coating
- No need to carry or use a separate catheter lubricant
- Many include no-touch handling features
- Available in both straight and coudé tip options
Available in a variety of options from multiple brands, some hydrophilic male catheters can require activation by popping an included water packet, such as the popular GentleCath Glide™ Male Catheter or the LoFric® Primo catheter.
Some hydrophilic catheters are pre-hydrated and ready to use as soon as you open the package, such as the all-silicone BD Magic3 GO. Just take it out of its packaging, and it’s ready to go when you are.
Pre-lubricated Catheters
Pre-lubricated catheters are basically straight catheters that come ready to use with lubrication already applied. This can be a great option for men who want a more convenient catheterization routine or for those who prefer not to handle separate lubricant.
Features and Benefits of Pre-Lubricated Male Catheters
- Ready to use right out of the package
- No separate lubricant required
- Less setup, less mess
- Convenient for travel or use in public restrooms
- Often includes an insertion aid for no-touch handling, which may help reduce the risk of contamination
Pocket Catheters for Men
Male pocket catheters are designed to be more discreet for carrying when you’re away from home. Depending on the product or brand, as well as your individual prescription and insurance coverage, you can choose a pocket catheter from one of the above types, including straight, coudé, hydrophilic, pre-lubricated, and closed system product options.
- Compact packaging for discreet carrying
- Convenient for guys on the go, whether you’re heading to work or traveling
- Easy to store in a pocket, bag, or briefcase
- Available in several catheter styles, including uncoated, hydrophilic, and pre-lubricated options
- Designed with privacy and convenience in mind
Closed System Catheters and Catheter Kits
A closed system catheter, also known as a touchless or no-touch catheter, features a pre-lubricated or hydrophilic male length catheter housed in its own self-contained sterile collection bag. This makes it great for traveling.
Also, people in wheelchairs often prefer closed system catheter kits because they don’t have to transfer to a toilet or find a receptacle to drain into. With a closed system catheter, you can self-catheterize anywhere you have privacy.
Sometimes, closed system catheters include kits of insertion supplies, such as gloves, an underpad, and an antiseptic wipe to help reduce the risk of bacterial contamination.
Features and Benefits of Closed Systems for Men
- An integrated urine collection bag means you can self-cath anywhere with privacy
- Great for those who use wheelchairs, since you don’t have to transfer from the chair to cath
- Touch-free handling for reduced risk of hand contamination
- A great self-contained option for men who need it for privacy, travel, or better accessibility
Keep in mind that advanced catheters, such as closed systems and catheter kits, may not be covered by all insurance plans. 180 Medical’s specialists are well-versed in insurance coverage. We can verify your plan and determine what you’re eligible to try, based on your coverage and prescription.
Other Types of Male Catheters
Depending on your condition and needs, there are two other male catheter options. 180 Medical provides these catheter types when prescribed in addition to intermittent catheters.
Indwelling Foley Catheters
Indwelling Foley catheters are mainly for long-term use. A doctor or nurse will handle inserting the catheter for you. To keep it from slipping out, they inflate a small balloon near the insertion tip to hold it in place in the bladder. Next, the Foley catheter allows urine to drain throughout the day into an attached collection device, such as a urinal, leg bag, or drain bag.
Since Foley catheters remain in place in the bladder for long periods, the risk of urinary tract infections may increase. However, indwelling catheters may be the right choice for people who cannot self-cath.
Male External Catheters
External catheters, also called Texas catheters or condom catheters, fit over the penis like a condom. Skin-friendly adhesive or soft straps hold external catheters in place. Drain bags or leg bags easily connect to collect urine throughout the day. These are typically the right option for men who experience incontinence or frequent dribbling or urine leakage throughout the day, which can sometimes happen even between intermittent catheterizations, depending on your condition.
Men who use condom catheters usually wear one for no longer than a day or two. Maintaining proper hygiene and changing your external catheters regularly will help minimize the possible risk of skin irritation or infections.
Answering Common Questions about Male Catheters
Here are a few quick answers to FAQs about catheters for men.
What are male catheters?
Male catheters are thin, flexible tubes that are used to drain urine from the bladder. Typically, these are inserted either through the urethra (the opening at the tip of your penis) or through a surgically-created stoma in the abdomen.
Intermittent catheters differ from indwelling Foley catheters, which are usually inserted by a healthcare professional.
Unlike a Foley catheter, an intermittent catheter can be inserted to drain urine, then removed once you’re done and thrown away after each use. Intermittent catheters offer freedom from having to stay attached to an external leg bag or drain bag that collects urine all day.
How long are male length catheters?
Male length catheters are typically around 16 inches long to accommodate the longer length of the male urethra. However, some compact or pocket catheter options for men may feature a smaller package or a discreet design.
For example, the Coloplast SpeediCath Flex Coudé Pro Pocket Catheter or the new GentleCath Air™ for Men both offer sleek, discreet packaging and hygienic handling options.
What French size catheter do men use?
Everyone’s anatomy is different. However, many adult men use French sizes such as 12 Fr, 14 Fr, 16 Fr, or 18 Fr. The right catheter size for you will depend on your body and unique needs.
Most male catheters, except certain red rubber catheters, follow the universal color-coding system, which helps you easily identify the French size of your intermittent catheter.
How do I know which catheter French size I should use?
Your urologist or another prescribing medical professional will help you determine the right French size to fit your unique anatomy.
Getting the right size can help with overall efficiency and comfort. Using a size that’s too large could potentially make catheterization uncomfortable or even painful.
What’s the difference between straight and coudé catheters?
On average, most people tend to use the standard straight catheter tip. Coudé catheters are different because they have a curved insertion tip. Coudé is a French word for “elbow” or “bend.”
Because some men have difficulty passing straight catheters, doctors may sometimes prescribe coudé catheters. The unique curve near the insertion tip of male coudé catheters helps catheter users bypass tight areas such as urethral strictures, enlarged prostates, or urethral blockages.
Will my insurance cover male catheters?
Many insurance plans, including Medicare, cover intermittent catheters when they are medically necessary and prescribed by a healthcare provider. Coverage varies by your individual plan, catheter type, documentation, and quantity limits.
Ready to find out what your plan covers? We can verify your insurance quickly and get back to you with your available male catheter options. It’s quick, easy, and secure!
How do I learn male self-catheterization?
180 Medical provides easy-to-follow online instructions for learning how to use male catheters at www.HowToCath.com.
In addition to step-by-step, printable, downloadable booklets for learning, we offer a range of helpful videos and visual guides for men learning self-catheterization, including specific guidance on using straight and hydrophilic catheters.
What catheter type is used for men with enlarged prostates?
Some men with an enlarged prostate (also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH) may have difficulty inserting a straight catheter. In some cases, a healthcare provider may prescribe a coudé catheter if the enlarged prostate or another issue is causing difficulty with inserting a straight tip catheter.
The curved tip may help navigate narrow or difficult urethral passages. However, please do not switch catheter types without talking to your healthcare provider. The medical need for a coudé tip catheter must be documented and prescribed in order for insurance plans to cover this type of catheter tip.
What are the main types of male catheter supplies?
Common types of male catheters include straight catheters, coudé catheters, hydrophilic catheters, ready-to-use catheters, pre-lubricated catheters, and closed system catheters.
Some men may also use an indwelling Foley catheter or male external catheters if they have difficulty with intermittent catheterization or if their healthcare provider determines that’s a better option for their needs.
What type of intermittent catheter for men is best?
Regarding catheters, no single type, brand, or size works for everyone. That’s why we suggest talking to your doctor about your needs. They can assess your condition and recommend what may work best for you.
At 180 Medical, we offer product options from all leading brands so you can try and choose what works best for you (based on your individual prescription and insurance coverage).
Our Product Specialists are also happy to help you find the right intermittent catheter! As experts in the catheter industry with over 20 years of experience, we’re glad to be a trusted resource and support system as you determine which male catheter product best suits your individual needs.
Contact us today to request free male catheter samples, or call us at 1-877-688-2729.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Information provided on 180medical.com should not be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions about your condition, treatment, or medical supply needs.
