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Types of products - Bladder function 

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There are a number of methods and products available to help manage urinary incontinence.

Non-surgical products

Sheaths
Discreet and effective, sheaths help men manage urinary incontinence. A sheath is a soft, flexible sleeve that fits onto the penis. 

Urine is funnelled through a tube to a bag, which safely stores the urine until you are ready to empty it into a toilet. Strapped to your leg, the bag is hidden by your trousers. Sheaths also allow urine to be drained away from the skin’s surface and so protect against odour and skin rashes.

You can wear a sheath for up to 24 hours, so you only need to change it once a day. After use, disconnect the sheath from the collecting tube, roll it off the penis and disposed of it in the bin.

There are different sheaths available – some have a more advanced adhesive built in and anti-kink features to protect against leaks, making them a discreet and very effective product.

Pads
Pads are used to absorb urine. For light incontinence, there are washable padded pants or disposable pads that that can be worn with purpose-made washable underwear.

It is important that you change pads frequently to reduce odour and to limit the potential for skin rashes and infection. Some people feel that pads are not as discreet, and they can be difficult to dispose of.

Catheters
Catheters are slim, hollow, flexible tubes that are inserted into the bladder to allow the urine to drain. Catheters can be used intermittently (intermittent or self-catheterisation) by inserting a sterile catheter into the bladder through the urethra at timed intervals.

Alternatively, an indwelling catheter can be fitted through the urethra or a suprapubically, through a hole created in the lower abdomen. With indwelling catheters, there are two options for emptying the urine:
  • a catheter valve – urine is stored in the bladder and emptied through the catheter into a toilet
  • a drainage bag – urine drains into a bag that is secured to the leg or kept on a stand at night. Indwelling catheters are usually left in place for 4-12 weeks before changing
Catheters come in different lengths and sizes for men, women and children, and some are pre-lubricated for easier insertion. Click here to learn how to use a catheter.

Surgical products
Surgery for stress urinary incontinence may involve fitting a mesh-like sling, injecting a bulking agent next to the urethra (periurethral bulking therapy) or fitting an artificial urinary sphincter.
 

SpeediCath catheter family

A new generation of safe, hygienic catheters that offer ease of use and greater comfort.

Read more »

 

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