FAQs

No, hydrophilic catheters shouldn’t be used more than once. These catheters are sterile when first opened and are designed for single use. Reusing these catheters may cause discomfort as well as increase the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs).

You should store your catheters in a clean, dry place, away from light and heat. Make sure your catheters haven’t been opened, as they may not be sterile once they’re open and this can increase your risk of infection. You should follow the manufacturer’s instructions on storage, as the positioning can affect the proper functioning of the catheters (e.g., liquids and coatings might shift or drain), and never store them folded. 

This shouldn’t change the way you catheterise but you should take extra care to wash the genital area with a pH-neutral soap or wipe before you start. You should also make sure you’re changing your tampon or sanitary pad often to maintain good genital hygiene.

You should use a new catheter if this happens, because your catheter may have picked up bacteria that could cause an infection.

You may find from time to time you have to catheterise in a location that doesn’t have access to soap and water. Fortunately, there are several things you can do to reduce the risk of infection, including

• wiping your hands with a disposable wet wipe or hand sanitiser
• you can also ask your healthcare professional about a closed system catheter, or a catheter with a no-touch sleeve, if you’re often unable to clean your hands before catheterising

Cleaning your hands and genital area is essential to making sure you keep the risk of infection minimised. You can wash these areas with soap and water or a wipe.

• For uncircumcised males, it’s best to pull back your foreskin to make sure the area is fully clean
• For females, spreading your labia, you should wipe from front to back