What size of catheter to use?

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Catheter size choice depends on many factors. Not only does everyone have different anatomy, but the medical conditions requiring the use of catheters can have an effect on size choice.

Customers are always interested in what the most used catheter sizes are. Below we show our main variations of catheters, broken down by sizes.

Don't forget that when it comes to catheter is important to find the right size to suit you. We have experienced staff on hand ready to help you make the right decisions for your personal needs. Contact Us today and we can tailor a sample with a variety of sizes to ensure you have the perfect products.

The comments below are those of individual customers and we always recomend you choose the best options for you and your body.

Comments (4)

15 January 2019
I had been using a FG14 for years but I started getting recurrent infections and tried something smaller to overcome the discomfort. The problem was resolved with the removal of a bladder stone but the FG12 works better for me now anyway. Be careful though. a size too small can irritate, too much side wise movement I think.

15 January 2019
I'd been noticing bleeding with my male FG14, so I changed to a 12. Bleeding still didn't stop. so off to the urologist. Tests revealed prostate cancer. Because of the warning from catheter usage it was hopefully caught early, and I am now half way through 8 weeks of radiotherapy. So a warning to older males. If you notice bleeding, get it checked out.
Paralogic Response
We are sorry to hear of this development - but very glad you saw the Doctor and are taking steps in the right direction.

15 January 2019
I have been using size F14 for over 18 months however a recent bled caused me to use F12 for 2 weeks until all mended. So I now keep a box of F12's on hand, in case it may happen again.

15 January 2019
I must say I had a very dreadful first time experience. Staff gave me a size far too big for me and when I said it was sore to use they said not to complain everybody uses that size. But luckily, by chance, I learned from calling shops online and discussing my options for products that people were different sizes. So, you are good to point out the importance of getting a correct size. My early experiences were excruciating.

Catheterization may seem scary but it’s actually a routine process that is easy to navigate with the right information. If you are in need of home catheter supplies or guidance on how to choose them, you are in the right place. When it comes to catheter size, the proper fit will prevent unnecessary insertion pain and unpleasant urine leaks. Here you will find everything you need to know to better understand which catheter size you will need.

Understanding French Sizes - Foley and Intermittent Catheters

Most urinary catheter manufacturers use the French gauge system to denote the width of the tube. Typically a Foley or intermittent catheter package will be marked with the letters 'Fr' preceded by a number between 6 and 26. These numbers refer to the diameter of the catheter tube - the smaller the number, the narrower the tube. To convert a French scale size to millimeters, simply divide the number preceding the 'Fr' by three. For example, if the French catheter size is 14 Fr., the actual diameter of the catheter is 4.67mm. To easily identify a catheter size after removal from the packaging, a universal color code on the catheter connector is used by most brands.

Urinary Catheter Types and Sizes

Catheters are categorized into three distinct types: Indwelling catheters, short-term catheters, and external catheters.

Indwelling Catheters: Inserted by a medical professional in a hospital or clinical setting, indwelling catheters enter the bladder through the urethra and typically stay in place for extended time periods. The most commonly used indwelling catheter is the Foley catheter.

Short-Term Catheters: Also called intermittent catheters, this form of self-catheterization is used when patients can independently insert a catheter to void the bladder and is not intended to stay in place. These catheters also follow French sizing. Most medical practitioners will recommend starting adult patients with a 12 Fr. or 14 Fr. size catheter.

Male External Catheters: Known as condom catheters or Texas catheters, external catheters are worn over the penis to collect urine. The sheath, made of silicone or latex, is attached to a tube that transports the urine into a drainage bag. Most external catheter sizes range from small to extra-large and are determined by the circumference of the penis measured in millimeters. External catheters are not invasive, however, the proper fit is imperative to good hygiene.

Female External Catheters: Although male external catheter options are plentiful, female versions are not as common. Most female external catheters on the market today are considered to be 'One-Size-Fits-Most.'

Choosing the Right Catheter Size

If a catheter tube is too large, it may cause pain or create a burning sensation upon insertion and potentially cause tissue trauma resulting in blood in the urine. If a catheter tube is too small, however, you may have trouble draining the bladder as the flow will be restricted. Although it is crucial for your medical practitioner to select the right catheter French size, it is perfectly fine to try a few catheter samples to know which feels best for you. Most patients can successfully adjust the size up or down and will only see a difference in the strength of flow. Keep in mind that catheters that are too small can result in leakage, especially in men.

Male Catheter Size Standards

Male catheter and unisex catheter tubes are approximately 16 inches in length and typically range in width from 14 Fr. to 18 Fr. The most common male intermittent catheter and indwelling catheter French size is 14 Fr.

Female Catheter Size Standards

Female catheter size usually ranges from 10 Fr. to 14 Fr. Of course, every woman is different, but the most common size for adult women is 12 Fr. Female intermittent catheters and other catheter types come in a range of lengths as well to ensure optimal comfort and functionality. Unlike male catheters, female catheters are much shorter, usually about 5 to 6 inches long.

Pediatric Catheter Size Standards

Pediatric catheter size is similar to adult-sizing and based on the unique anatomical needs of both boys and girls. Pediatric catheters range from 5 Fr. to 12 Fr. and are generally about 10 inches long. They come in very narrow sizes to reduce pain and prevent catheterization injury in young children and adolescents.

Note to Intermittent Catheter Users

Once you and your medical practitioner have found the best intermittent urinary catheter size for you, be sure to insert it carefully. Never force it. Instead, gently guide the catheter through the urethra and into the bladder using a catheter lubricant if necessary. If you experience pain or resistance, you may need a smaller size. If the catheter slides in easily, keep an eye on the flow of urine from the tube to ensure your bladder is emptying quickly enough without leaking. If not, you may need a larger tube. Always consult with an experienced medical professional if you have any questions or concerns about at-home catheterization.

To view a comprehensive selection of urological supplies and buy catheters online, visit Allegromedical.com.

Indications

Intermittent
- Measurement of bladder residual volume.
- Obtaining uncontaminated urine for microscopy and culture (especially in females or young children).
- Facilitating adequate bladder emptying (e.g. in conditions associated with atonic bladder).
- Intravesical installation of drugs (e.g. contrast media in suspected bladder trauma or for micturating cysto-urethrography, instillation of local cytotoxic agents).
- Urodynamic assessment.
- Exclusion of urethral or prostatic obstruction in acute renal failure/ anuria
Continuous
- Acute or chronic urinary retention.
- Accurate measurement of urine output and to aid fluid balance (e.g. postoperatively).
- Long term (e.g. when TURP is medically contraindicated).

Contraindications:

Trauma patient with suspected urethral injury as evidenced by:
- Blood at the urethral meatus
- High-riding prostate on rectal examination
- Penile, scrotal, perineal hematoma
- Radiographic evidence of urethral/bladder trauma (in many centers a gentle attempt at urethral catherisation by an experienced doctor is accepted practice)
Postoperative urological patients. Always consult the urologist first if the patient has had bladder neck or prostate surgery.
Known stricture or ‘impossible insertion‘ last time.

Choose the correct catheter

Lumen
- Single lumen—these catheters have no balloon and are used for in/out catheterisation
- Double lumen—two-way catheters have a draining lumen and a balloon inflation lumen and are used for continuous catheterisation
- Triple lumen (or three-way catheters)—have a draining lumen, a balloon inflation lumen and an irrigation lumen. Insert when blood, clots or debris are to be washed out of the bladder (e.g. post TURP).
Size
- Catheter size refers to the circumference of the catheter, not the luminal diameter and is recorded in French sizes (1 French (F) = 1 Charrière = 0.33 mm).
- Choose the smallest catheter that will allow adequate urinary drainage. Size 12–14F is usually adequate for males and females. Use size 16–20F if the patient has urine with debris, mucous, blood clots or haematuria, which may occlude smaller lumens. A 22F triple lumen is the standard size for bladder irrigation and ‘washout’. Smaller sizes (6–10F) are available for children.

Handy Hints:

In female adults the normal position of the urethra is 2.5cm inferior to the glans clitoris. It may be difficult to find in infants or postmenopausal elderly females. Occasionally the urethral opening recedes superiorly into the vagina and can be found by palpation.
Female urethra is 4cm long. The male urethra is 20 cm long – always advance the catheter to the hilt prior to balloon inflation.
Do not over- or underfill the catheter balloon, as this will lead to balloon distortion, causing the catheter tip to deviate within the bladder, and can potentially result in bladder wall necrosis.
Urine must flow from an inserted catheter before the balloon can be inflated. Urine may not flow initially because of obstruction by lubricating gel. You may be able to expedite flow by gently suctioning the catheter with a syringe, or applying suprapubic pressure to the patient.
If the patient is immunosuppressed, or has prosthetic heart valves, catheter insertion may cause a serious bacteraemia and bacterial seeding. Senior advice should be sought with regard to prophylactic antibiotics prior to catheter insertion