Do catheters hurt? Intermittent catheterization may not always feel comfortable at first, especially if you’re new to using catheters. However, using a catheter should not cause pain, bleeding, burning, or serious discomfort.
The good news is that catheter pain doesn’t have to be the norm. Below are five helpful tips for addressing painful catheterization.
Top 5 Tips to Help Reduce Pain During Catheterization
Catheter pain doesn’t have to be something you just put up with. These tips may help you understand the common causes of discomfort during intermittent catheterization. Plus, 180 Medical’s specialists are here to help you explore alternate catheter options that may help make cathing feel easier and more comfortable.
1. Use a catheter with polished eyelets.
What are catheter eyelets? Catheter drainage eyelets are the small holes near the insertion tip of your urinary catheter. Urine drains through these holes into the catheter tube. Then it drains out of the funnel end into a receptacle (urinal, toilet, or collection drain bag).
Some catheter manufacturers use a process similar to punching a hole in a sheet of paper to create their catheter eyelets. This can create rough edges that sometimes create friction and discomfort in the urethra, which may be the cause of painful catheterization.
180 Medical offers a wide range of intermittent catheters with smooth, polished eyelets.
2. Use lubrication with uncoated catheters.
When using straight intermittent catheters, it’s important to lubricate them manually before each use. Catheter lubricating jelly helps reduce friction and discomfort during catheter insertion and withdrawal.
Of course, everyone is different. While some people don’t need much lubrication, others may require more for comfortable in-and-out cathing.
As the leading provider of intermittent catheters in America, 180 Medical offers high-quality lubricant to suit your needs, including bacteriostatic and kosher options. Whether you prefer your catheter lube in a tube or perfectly dosed single-use packets, we can supply it with your order.
3. If straight catheters feel difficult to insert, you might need a coudé tip catheter.
Coudé catheters have a curved insertion tip that’s sometimes required for certain individuals when straight tip catheters will not work. This is usually due to medical conditions like urethral strictures or an enlarged prostate, which can make it difficult for a straight catheter to bypass and navigate around to reach the bladder.
If you feel you’re encountering a blockage or obstacle while trying to fully insert your catheter, it’s best to speak to your urologist immediately so they can fully diagnose the problem.
Never force your catheter, which can cause more pain or even injury. Painful cathing due to a straight tip may require a coudé tip catheter.
4. Get the right catheter material.
There’s a reason for all those different catheter options on the market. One catheter that works for one person may not work for someone else, including catheter materials. Whether you need a DEHP-free option, POBE, PVC plastic, red rubber latex, or something else, 180 Medical has what you need.
Ever experience itching or rashes when using a latex catheter? You might have a latex allergy or a sensitivity to products made with latex.
At 180 Medical, we are sensitive to your needs, so we make it a point to stock a variety of latex-free catheter products.
5. Switch to another catheter type, brand, or French size.
Finding the right catheter for you doesn’t have to be costly or overly complicated. 180 Medical makes it easy!
You can try free catheter samples at 180 Medical to find the one that works best for your individual needs, so you can catheterize comfortably.
If you’ve been using one type or brand of catheter for years, there are all kinds of new catheter technologies available on the market that are designed to make catheterization more comfortable, such as ready-to-use hydrophilic catheters and compact pocket catheters.
Just a few of the many advanced technology catheters that 180 Medical has in stock include:
SpeediCath Compact Set
The Coloplast SpeediCath Compact Set is small and discreet, making it easy to carry. It also comes ready to use with its own collection bag.
GentleCath Glide™ Hydrophilic Catheter
The GentleCath Glide™, available for men and women, is a popular choice for those seeking a comfortable, easy-to-use catheter.
Talk to our specialists about your catheter options and request samples today! We offer options from all major brands, so you have the freedom to choose what feels and works best for your unique needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Catheter Pain
Here are a few quick answers to common questions about discomfort related to intermittent catheter use.
Do intermittent catheters hurt?
No, using a catheter should not hurt when in-and-out catheterization is performed correctly. It should also not cause bleeding, burning, or other irritating symptoms.
First-time users may initially feel some slight discomfort while their bodies adjust. However, once they get used to the sensation, they may overcome that hurdle.
However, if you continue experiencing painful cathing or experience any bleeding, please talk to your prescribing healthcare provider or urologist before trying any solutions on your own. Above all, never try to force your catheter in.
Our Catheter Specialists are ready to help you find a comfortable catheter that will work best for your needs. Contact 180 Medical now or call us at 1-877-688-2729 to get started.
Why does my catheter hurt when I insert it?
If you’re experiencing pain or discomfort when you self-cath, possible causes might be due to not using enough lubrication, using the wrong catheter size or material, rough eyelets, or another underlying medical issue.
Sometimes, for men with an enlarged prostate or BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), or urethral obstructions, a coude tip catheter may be a potential workaround if using a straight tip catheter hurts. The best thing to do is contact your healthcare provider so they can figure out what may be causing your pain.
Can switching catheter types or brands help reduce discomfort?
It’s possible in some cases, yes. A different or more advanced catheter type, material, size, or tip style may help improve comfort.
180 Medical has specialized in finding the right intermittent catheter options for our customers for over 20 years. We’re here to support you and help you explore your insurance-covered catheter options.
Can the wrong catheter size cause pain?
Yes, having the wrong catheter size may sometimes cause discomfort or added friction when the catheter French size is too big for your anatomy. Your healthcare provider is the right person to talk to if you think you may need to go down a French size for your intermittent catheter supplies.
What should I do if I see a little bit of blood after removing my catheter?
Slight irritation or even a tiny bit of bleeding may sometimes happen if you withdraw or insert the catheter too fast or without sufficient catheter lubricant. However, if you’re seeing blood in your urine (known as hematuria), please reach out to your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
How painful is a male catheter?
Using a male catheter should not hurt. Again, it may not be easy initially, but there should not be significant pain, resistance, or bleeding.
If you find it difficult or even impossible to insert a straight catheter due to pain, then you should not force the catheter. Call your prescribing doctor to discuss your difficulty with insertion.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended as medical advice. Its only intent is to provide a general understanding of product options that may help reduce discomfort during intermittent catheterization. This should not be used in place of a visit, call, or consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.
