Inserting a Disposable Catheter (Male)

An illustrated step-by-step guide that shows how to insert a disposable catheter into the penis.

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Step-by-Step:

  • Hands scrubbing with soap under faucet with running water.

    1. Wash your hands.

  • Person holding shirt up and using wet, soapy washcloth to clean genitals.

    2. Wash your genitals with soap and water.

  • New disposable catheter and tube of water-based lubricant.

    3. Gather your supplies.

  • Person opening bag containing new disposable catheter at funnel end of catheter.

    4. Remove the catheter at the funnel.

  • Person holding catheter tip and applying water-based lubricant on first 2 to 6 inches.

    5. Apply lubricant to the catheter tip.

  • Person holding penis with one hand and inserting catheter tip into tip of penis with other hand, with arrows showing catheter moving toward full bladder.

    6. Place the catheter tip into the urethra.

  • Person pushing catheter into penis until catheter reaches full bladder and urine flows into catheter.

    7. Gently push until urine is in the catheter.

  • Person holding catheter toward toilet, with arrow showing urine flowing out of full bladder, through catheter, and into toilet.

    8. Let urine flow into the toilet.

  • Person holding catheter, with arrow showing person pushing catheter into penis and urine flowing through catheter into toilet.

    9. Push the catheter in another 1 to 2 inches.

  • Person pulling catheter, with catheter empty and bladder almost empty.

    10. Pull the catheter out 1 to 2 inches if urine stops.

  • Person holding catheter toward toilet with urine flowing out of bladder, through catheter, and into toilet.

    11. Let all the urine flow into the toilet.

  • Person pulling catheter out of penis with one hand and holding penis with other hand.

    12. Remove the catheter.

  • Person holding catheter at funnel with one hand and holding catheter bag with other hand, and arrow showing catheter going back into bag.

    13. Place the catheter back into the bag.

  • Person putting used catheter into trash.

    14. Put the used catheter in the trash.

  • Hands scrubbing with soap under faucet with running water.

    15. Wash your hands.

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