Female Catheterization

1. Wash your hands thoroughly cleaning the palms, backs, and fingers well.  Some recommend a full 20 seconds of scrubbing. Dry your hands completely.
2. Slowly peel the catheter package fully open to expose the entire catheter, but leave the catheter in the package.  It is best not to place the catheter on an unclean surface.
3. Clean the urethral opening and surrounding area with soap and water, a BZK wipe, or other wipe as instructed by your doctor or other informed medical professional.
4. Use your non-dominant hand to spread the labia and use the fingers of your dominant hand to gently insert the catheter through the urethral opening until urine begins to flow.
5. Push the catheter in another ¾ to and 1 inch.  Finish draining the bladder.
6. Slowly remove the catheter.  NOTE: If urine begins to flow again, stop withdrawing and allow the urine to finish draining.
7. Remove the catheter.
8. Place catheter, packaging, and lubricant packet in waste can.As you become comfortable with cathing and adjust your regimen to what is best for you, always keep in mind some basic goals for your cathing program:

• Drain urine as completely as is practical
• Work on your cathing technique to minimize discomfort
• Avoid  Symptomatic Urinary Tract Infections