Typically, catheters are tiny sterile tubes women can insert through their urethra to drain or pass urine from the bladder. It is often a part of prescribed treatment, including neurogenic bladder, urinary retention, urinary incontinence, and other medical conditions like multiple sclerosis.
Female intermittent catheters are discreet and compact. You have many length catheter options to do self-cathing efficiently without someone’s help. As female catheters are available in multiple sizes and shapes, you choose the right one depending on your lifestyle and needs.
We have you covered if you have just been informed that you need to start catheterizing and have yet to learn how intermittent female catheters work. Keep on reading to find everything you need to know about female catheters.
What Are Female Intermittent Catheters?
As said above, intermittent female catheters are small tubes used for urine drainage. They come in various French lengths and sizes for people of different ages and genders. For instance, pediatric-length catheters are suitable for both adolescents and children. Generally, the length catheters are 6 inches long. However, you can select the more compact option if you need shorter catheters.
The modernly-designed female intermittent catheters are designed with high-grade, flexible, and comfortable materials, including red rubber latex, silicone, vinyl PVC, and POBE. You can opt for advanced female catheters for comfortable and smooth catheterization.
Some of the advanced options for female catheters include;
- Hydrophilic female catheters
- Pre-lubricated female catheters
- Closed-system catheter kits
Female Catheter Lengths
The average length of female catheters is approximately 6 inches long since the female urethra is usually shorter than the male urethra by a few inches. However, there are shorter female pocket catheters, like the 2.75-inch-long pre-lubricated Cath Compact for Women.
Go for unisex catheters if you need a long catheter. It is 16 inches long and easier to handle.
Female Catheter French Sizes
Obtaining the proper French size is another technique for deciding what catheter to use. The standard measurement unit for catheter tube diameters is the French size. Most modern catheters employ a global color-coding system to make it easier for you to determine the French size of your catheter.
So How Can You Figure Out Which French Size To Use?
Consult your doctor or licensed healthcare expert to find the ideal French size for your anatomy. The correct French size is crucial for general comfort and adequate drainage during female catheterization.
Why Does My Female Catheter’s French Size Matter?
Your female catheter’s French size can significantly impact the comfort and effectiveness of your catheterization procedure.
For instance, urine may flow over the walls of the catheter if you choose a female catheter French size smaller than what fits your anatomy the best. You could end up with a real mess as a result.
On the other side, inserting the catheter could feel challenging if you use a more significant French-size catheter than is required. You may experience some discomfort or agony from the catheter.
That is why it is essential to choose the best catheter French size for your preferences is essential.
Types Of Female Intermittent Catheters For Women
- Straight Female Length Catheters
Female-length straight intermittent catheters come uncoated and use original technology. You need to lubricate these female catheters manually before inserting them. They are pocket-friendly and extremely lightweight, so you can easily carry them in your purse or backpack.
- Hydrophilic Female Length Catheters
While hydrophilic and straight catheters are similar in many aspects, they differ significantly in one crucial way. Female hydrophilic catheters feature a unique coating that transforms into a catheter lubricant when exposed to water. When activated, the layer is instantly linked to the catheter tube, so from insertion to withdrawal, it remains slick and slippery. There’s no need to bring any extra lubricating jelly. They come with a sterile water packet and a handy guiding sleeve to help insert the catheter without touching it.
- Female Closed System Catheters
Female closed-system catheters are practical as they are adequately packaged. It is unnecessary to carry additional lubrication because the hydrophilic sterile catheter has an attached self-contained collection bag.
How To Use Female Catheters?
Self-catheterization is inserting a thin, clean, flexible tube into your bladder to drain urine. Follow the given steps to use a female catheter.
- Collect your supplies
- Wash your genital area
- Lubricate the catheter with lubricating jelly
- Empty bladder
- Find the urethra using your index finger or mirror
- Insert the catheter gently into your urethra (be patient as it may take a few attempts)
You can use female self-catheterization aids, watch step-by-step instructions videos or consult a trained catheter specialist to learn the techniques.
How Active Life Medical Products Can Help With Catheter Supplies
You need a trusted catheter supplier when you require catheter supplies. Active Life Medical Products makes ordering the entire catheter supply process easy. Our Product Specialists can help you get your prescribed catheter covered through most insurances. Everything will be delivered directly to your front door.
Call Active Life Medical Products at (800) 319-2336 to place your order.
