A population-based study in England suggested 0.14% of the general population relied on urinary catheters for long-term bladder management (Gage et al, 2024). That represents thousands of Brits who rely on catheters in their everyday lives.
It doesn’t take long for catheter care to become part of your daily routine, but there are often little tricks that make life easier. Whether you have an indwelling catheter or self-catheterise, a few practical changes can save time, increase your confidence, and reduce your risk of infection.
One of the biggest things to remember is that you have a choice, and the products you use should suit your individual needs. There are lots of different catheter designs available and many people use different products for different situations. For example, you might prefer your usual catheter at home but use a compact catheter or one with an integrated collection bag when travelling or going to work. For an indwelling catheter with a bag, you can choose different tube lengths, bag volumes, and style of bags. Alternatively, you might prefer to use a valve to empty your bladder. You might even use a bag and valve interchangeably. So if something isn’t working for you, speak to your healthcare professional.
To avoid stress, it’s also worth getting into the habit of checking your supplies before they run low, or setting up an automatic delivery. For emergencies, keep a small supply handy at home, in the car, or at work. Having a few spare catheters, plus hand sanitiser, wet wipes and disposal bags close at hand can be a real reassurance if plans change unexpectedly.
Good hygiene is another important part of catheter care. Hand hygiene is essential before and after handling your catheter, this helps reduce the risk of infection. If you have an indwelling catheter, clean the area around the catheter with mild soap and water at least daily (NHS, 2023), and remember that good hydration maintains bladder health, helps prevent catheter blockages, and reduces infection risk.
Catheters, wipes and drainage bags should never be flushed down the toilet, dispose of these in your household waste. If you prefer privacy around use of products, opaque scented disposal bags work well to mask smells and hide the contents. If you need to empty or change your catheter away from home, think about how you’ll dispose of used products. Disposal bags are useful for wrapping used catheters or drainage equipment before placing them in a bin, or for transporting them home.
Finally, you can make catheter care work around your life, rather than the other way around. Planning ahead, carrying a few spare supplies and finding products that suit your routine can make everyday activities much easier. If you ever feel that your catheter is limiting what you do, speak to your healthcare professional. Often, a simple change in equipment or routine can make a big difference.
References
Gage, H., Williams, P., Avery, M., Murphy, C., & Fader, M. (2024). Long-term catheter management in the community: a population-based analysis of user characteristics, service utilisation and costs in England. Primary Health Care Research & Development, 25, e13. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1463423624000021
NHS. 2023. Living with a Urinary Catheter [online]. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/tests-and-treatments/urinary-catheters/living-with/ [accessed 23 June 2026].