How do I find my urethra to insert an intermittent catheter?

The urethra is the opening and conduit that connects to the urinary bladder. You’ll need to insert your catheter through the urethra in order to empty your bladder. Different anatomies will require different ways of locating the urethra.

How to Find the Urethra to Insert a Catheter

Here’s a brief guide to help find the urinary opening for catheter insertion.

Finding the Male Urethra

Identifying the urethral opening is usually a little easier. This is a small hole situated at the tip of the penis.

Finding the Female Urethra

For women, the urethral opening is situated just below the clitoris and above the vaginal entrance.

Women might find it helpful to use a standing or handheld mirror as a visual aid during their first attempts at inserting a female catheter. 180 Medical offers several mirror options, which may help.

Avoid poking the catheter around as much as possible, as this can cause contamination.