Catheter in the Treatment of Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is a condition suffered by millions of women. Generally kept secret, women are suffering with this urological condition in silence, often afraid to even discuss the complication with a healthcare professional.

As a condition that is not necessarily related to aging, women who suffer from urinary incontinence experience a range of symptoms from slight urine leakage when laughing or coughing to significant urine leakage when performing simple, every day tasks, such as rising out of chair.

While there are many treatment options for urinary incontinence on the market, some women are turning to the use of catheterization as a temporary solution. While rarely used as a permanent solution, known as indwelling urethral catheterization or suprapubic catheterization, women are, instead, using the catheter in what is known as an intermittent catheterization.

Intermittent catheterization is usually a voluntary procedure for a woman who suffers from urinary incontinence. Because of the costs associated with UI supplies, the failed attempts of therapy and medications, intermittent catheterization is a useful tool. Because women with urinary incontinence may have some degree of urinary retention, the intermittent catheterization can drain the bladder of any remaining urine, thereby alleviating urinary incontinence for the day.

As a procedure that can be done in the home, intermittent catheterization, while not necessary convenient, does provide a woman with the privacy and control over her treatment of the urinary incontinence. When performing this procedure, the urologist will provide detailed instruction as to how to utilize the catheter in the home setting. In addition, there should be a description of complications and health concerns to be monitored.