How to choose the right size urinary catheter

In the treatment of many urological diseases or other surgeries, urinary catheters are often used. In fact, when using urinary catheters, medical staff also pick and choose like shopping, and finally choose the one that best suits you.

The size of a urinary catheter is determined by its outer diameter. It's generally available in 13 sizes, ranging from 6F to 30F. Commonly used catheter sizes for male patients are 14F to 18F, 16F to 18F for female patients, and 6F to 12F for children. F is a legal unit representing the outer circumference in millimeters, with a ratio of 3:1 to the diameter. For example, an 18F catheter has a diameter of 6mm. Commonly used sizes don't guarantee a fixed size.

The size of the urinary catheter should be selected based on the patient's condition. For example, during surgery under general anesthesia, the urethral muscles relax, so a thicker catheter is recommended. Elderly patients also have relatively relaxed urethral muscles, so a thicker catheter (20F-22F) is also recommended to prevent urinary leakage. Patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) sometimes require specialized catheters based on their needs.

First, catheter insertion must be performed under sterile conditions to prevent urinary tract infections. The entire procedure must be performed by a qualified medical professional. Avoid inadvertently experiencing the pleasure of catheterization out of curiosity and causing unnecessary harm to your body. Trust the medical professional's gentleness. Next, insert the catheter to the appropriate depth. Importantly, due to differences in physiology, the required depth for catheter insertion varies between men and women. For example, men typically insert 20-22 cm.

Women typically only insert 4-6cm. Don't ask why! The female urethra is short and has no other function! Therefore, 4-6cm is sufficient to reach the bladder. If you feel a blockage during insertion, try inserting it again. Once you see urine flowing, insert it another 2cm or so, and you're generally done.The removal and replacement of a urinary catheter is typically tailored to the patient's specific needs, and there's no recommended time interval. Therefore, it's best to leave this to the discretion of your healthcare provider.

In reality, having a urinary catheter doesn't significantly impact your daily life; it simply changes the way you urinate. Even with a catheter, you can shower and bathe normally; just be careful not to immerse the catheter in water to prevent infection.