The Different Types of Catheters and When They Are Needed

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1. Intermittent Catheters
2. Indwelling (Foley) Catheters
3. External Catheters
4. Suprapubic Catheters
5. Catheter Materials and Coatings
6. Choosing the Right Catheter

Catheters are useful devices for draining urine. They help empty the bladder when someone is unable to do so on their own. Catheters have several components. These include an insertion tip, tubing, drainage holes, a port, a collection bag, and a balloon for indwelling catheters.¹

A catheter's purpose and function varies depending on patient needs. Different types exist to meet short-term and long-term uses. Choosing the right type and size is important; proper selection improves comfort, safety, and infection prevention.

In home catheter care, always wash your hands, clean your catheter daily, and keep your drainage bag below your bladder. This prevents improper drainage and infection.

This urinary catheter overview will review medical catheter types, along with their materials, functions, and uses. Explore Vitality Medical urology supplies to find products that help improve your daily life.

Intermittent catheters are portable bladder drainage products for those with trouble releasing urine on their own.² Straight catheter use is ideal for intermittent self-catheterization.

These catheters have an open end for easy drainage. A user empties the contents into a collection bag or toilet. People use intermittent catheters for:

• Urinary retention
• Mild incontinence
• Spinal cord injuries
• Post-surgical recovery

You’ll insert and remove a catheter throughout the day whenever you need to pee. They are single-use to ensure sterile catheter insertion. Throw the device away to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Because of their intermittent use, these catheters enable freedom of movement. As such, they are perfect for people with an active lifestyle.

Male and female catheter sizes accommodate anatomy and comfort levels. Men typically use sizes 14–16 FR, women use 10–12 FR, and children use 6–10 FR.³ Vitality Medical carries a wide variety of intermittent catheters for sale, including catheters for women.

Indwelling catheters (or Foley catheters) allow for continuous urinary drainage. Recovering patients also use them for shorter time periods. Typically, indwelling long-term catheterization suits patients with:

• Chronic illness
• Limited mobility
• Urinary retention
• Severe incontinence
• Extended surgical recovery
• Neurological conditions

The sterile tubing enters through the urethra and remains in the bladder. Their touchless design keeps bacteria from spreading. You only need to change indwelling catheters about once a month.

Indwelling catheters use an efficient system for drainage bag connection and tubing security. The tube has two or three openings: one for drainage and one to inflate the Foley catheter balloon in your bladder. (Some include another for flushing saline or medication.) The water-filled balloon keeps the tube in place.

When looking for materials, consider silicone or latex Foley catheters. Silicone is durable and minimizes encrustation, making it optimal for extended use. Latex is affordable and has a flexible design for comfort. Browse our selection of Foley catheters for continuous drainage.

An external catheter is a non-invasive urinary device that fits outside the body. Many patients prefer external comfort care catheters because they cause less damage to the urethra. Benefits include increased comfort, improved skin health, and reduced risk of infection.

External catheters are not suited for those with urinary retention or blockage. Doctors recommend external catheters for those with:

• Limited mobility
• Urinary incontinence
• Bladder spasms or infections
• Difficulty controlling urinary output

Two main types of external urine collection systems exist. These include condom catheters and female external catheters. Male condom catheters fit over the penis, similar to a condom. Roll the catheter onto the head of the penis, ensuring the adhesive sticks to the shaft.

Female external catheters sit over the vulva and collect urine from outside the body. Much like other types of catheters, external catheters drain through tubing and into a collection bag.

A suprapubic catheter accesses the bladder through abdominal catheter placement. A suprapubic catheter insertion requires a surgeon to create a small incision in the abdomen.

People choose suprapubic catheters for comfortable, long-term urinary management — especially in situations where urethral access is not possible. Doctors recommend them for individuals with urinary retention and incontinence, as well as:⁴

• Spinal injuries
• Limited mobility
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Prostate or bladder cancer

Suprapubic catheters require proper inspection and stoma site cleaning. Keep it clean and check for signs of infection, such as pain or swelling.

Latex, silicone, and PVC are popular materials for catheters. Latex catheters are soft and flexible, ensuring patient comfort. Individuals with allergies or sensitivities should opt for latex-free catheters.

Silicone catheter tubing is durable, tissue-friendly, and hypoallergenic.⁵ PVC catheter tubing is firm and flexible, streamlining insertion.

Some catheters have coating for added protection. Hydrophilic catheter coating creates a lubricated surface. This reduces friction, ensuring smoother insertion and increased comfort. Antimicrobial catheter coating minimizes bacteria, preventing UTIs.

Make sure your catheters come in aseptic conditions. Sterile catheter packaging is essential to catheter use, as it significantly reduces the risk of infection.

Choosing the right catheter is important for comfort and safety. Medical conditions, mobility, and duration of use may influence your selection.

A mobility-based catheter choice takes activity level into account. For freedom of movement and easier urinary management at home, an intermittent catheter might be the right choice.

Seek healthcare guidance on catheter use before making a decision. Your doctor will help you determine the most appropriate type for you.

Our store is a reliable source for intermittent, indwelling, and external catheters. Check out our diverse selection of Vitality Medical catheter options to find one that suits your needs.

Correct selection helps ensure safe catheterization and reliable urinary drainage. Let’s review the main types:

• Intermittent catheters are a quick, easy way to drain your bladder on your own. People use them for urinary retention, incontinence, and injury or surgical recovery.
• Indwelling catheters are ideal for long-term catheterization caused by illness, mobility issues, urinary retention, incontinence, recovery, and certain conditions. They remain in the bladder with the help of a small water-filled balloon.
• External catheters are a non-invasive solution for emptying the bladder. Though they are a popular choice for men, several types exist for various user needs. These are suited for those with limited mobility, incontinence, bladder issues, and sensitivities to internal catheters.
• Suprapubic catheters enter the bladder through a small hole in the abdomen. These long-term catheters improve patient comfort. They are great for those with conditions that make a urethral entry difficult.

Consider lubricated or antimicrobial coatings for patient comfort and hygiene. You might also want to select tubing with soft, polished eyelets for comfortable insertion.

Vitality Medical is a trusted source for catheters and urology accessories for both clinical and home settings.

¹  "Cleveland Clinic (2025, May 21)." Urinary Catheter.

²  "WebMD Editorial Contributors & Bandukwala, N.Q., DO." What to Know About Intermittent Catheterization. WebMD.

³  "Liberator Medical Supply." Intermittent and Foley Catheter Size Guide.

⁴  "Jewell, T. & Stephens, C., RN. (2019, November 26)." Suprapubic Catheters. Healthline Media.

⁵  "Lauritzen, M., RN. & Thulin, H., RN, PhD." Which catheter to use.