Guides

You’re probably reading this because someone you take care of — a parent, a partner, someone you love — needs help managing incontinence at home. External catheters are one option, and they’re different from what most people picture when they hear the word “catheter.”

No insertion. Nothing goes inside the body. An external catheter sits against the skin on the outside and wicks urine away through tubing into a collection container. That’s it.

This guide covers how they work, how to set them up, and what to watch for. It’s written for the person doing the caregiving, not the clinician.

Who uses external catheters

External catheters are used by people who have difficulty getting to the bathroom — due to limited mobility, post-surgical recovery, neurological conditions, or age-related changes. They’re common after hospital discharge as an alternative to indwelling (internal) catheters, which carry higher infection risk during extended use.

Both men and women can use external catheters, though the designs differ. Female external catheters are flat wicking strips that sit between the legs. Male external catheters are shaped differently to match anatomy.

A doctor or nurse may have recommended trying external catheters at home. If nobody medical has been involved yet, it’s worth a conversation with your loved one’s primary care provider before starting — especially if there are skin conditions, open wounds, or active infections in the area.

What you need

An external catheter setup has three parts:

1. The catheter — a soft, disposable wick. Single-use. You’ll go through one or two per day.
2. Tubing — connects the catheter to the collection system. Usually included with the collection unit.
3. A collection system — a pump unit with a canister that creates gentle suction to draw urine away from the body through the tubing. Systems like the PureWick™ PW100 and PW200 are the most common for home use.

Yowelcom® catheters work with PureWick™ PW100 and PW200 collection systems. They connect to the same standard tubing that comes with those systems.

Setting up for the first time

Prepare the space. The collection system needs a stable, flat surface near the bed — a nightstand or a small table works. The unit should sit lower than the bed surface so gravity assists the suction. Make sure the power cord reaches an outlet without stretching across a walkway.

Connect the tubing. Attach one end of the tubing to the collection system’s intake port. Leave the other end accessible — this is where the catheter connects.

Position the catheter. For female catheters: the person should be lying on their back or side. Place the catheter lengthwise between the legs, wick side up, positioned so it sits against the urethral area. The wick’s soft material should rest gently against the skin — no pressing, no taping.

For male catheters: position according to the instructions included in the box, as the fit differs from female models.

Connect catheter to tubing. Attach the catheter’s connector end to the open end of the tubing. Make sure the connection is snug.

Turn on the collection system. The pump creates gentle suction. You should hear a quiet hum. Check that the tubing isn’t kinked or pinched — a bend in the tubing blocks flow.

Detailed instructions are included with every box of Yowelcom® catheters and are also available on our website.

Day use vs. night use

External catheters work for both. The setup is the same — what changes is how you position things for comfort during sleep.

For nighttime use:

• Place the collection system on a stable surface that won’t get knocked over if someone shifts in bed.
• Route the tubing so it has a gentle downward path from the body to the unit. Avoid sharp bends or loops where the tubing could compress.
• Some caregivers tape the tubing loosely to the bed sheet (not to skin) to keep it from shifting overnight.
• Check the canister capacity before bed. Empty it if it’s more than half full.

For daytime use in a chair or wheelchair, the same principles apply — collection system lower than the body, tubing running downhill, no kinks.

When to change the catheter

Each catheter is designed for single use. Don’t wash or reuse one that’s been worn.

General guidance: change every 8–12 hours, or sooner if the catheter is visibly soiled, no longer wicking effectively, or causing discomfort. Most home users settle into a routine of one change per day — typically in the morning.

Some people need two per day (one for daytime, one for overnight). Usage depends on the individual, and there’s no wrong answer as long as the catheter is doing its job and the skin looks healthy.

Skin care

This is the part that matters most for long-term comfort. Moisture against skin causes irritation, and irritated skin leads to bigger problems.

• Clean the area every time you change the catheter. Use mild soap and warm water. Pat dry — don’t rub.
• Check the skin each time. Look for redness, rash, or broken skin. Healthy skin should look the same as the surrounding area.
• Let the skin breathe for a few minutes between changes when possible. Air exposure helps.
• Barrier cream can help if you notice mild redness. Ask your pharmacist for a moisture barrier cream designed for incontinence care. Apply a thin layer after cleaning and drying.
• Don’t ignore persistent redness. If skin irritation doesn’t improve within a day or two, or if you see broken skin, blisters, or signs of infection (warmth, swelling, unusual odor), contact a healthcare provider.

Common mistakes to avoid

Reusing catheters. It’s tempting when they look clean. Don’t. Single-use means single-use. Used catheters harbor bacteria even if they look fine.

Forcing a position. If the catheter isn’t sitting right, reposition it gently. It should rest against the body by gravity and gentle contact — it shouldn’t need to be wedged, taped to skin, or held in place with pressure.

Ignoring the tubing. A kinked tube is the most common reason a setup “stops working.” Check the tubing path every time you set up.

Skipping the empty. Empty the collection canister regularly. A full canister reduces suction, and an overfull one is a mess waiting to happen.

Not involving the doctor. External catheters manage a symptom — they don’t treat the underlying cause of incontinence. If the situation is changing (new symptoms, increasing frequency, pain), that’s a conversation for a healthcare provider, not something to solve with a different catheter.

Storage and disposal

Unused catheters should be stored in a cool, dry place in their original packaging. Each Yowelcom® catheter is individually sealed for hygiene.

Used catheters go in the regular household trash — wrap in a small bag if you prefer. They’re not hazardous waste. Empty the collection canister into the toilet and rinse it with warm water between uses.

Getting started

If you’re new to this, buy one box and take it slow. The first few setups will feel awkward. That’s normal. By the third or fourth day, most caregivers have the routine down to a few minutes.

Yowelcom® catheters are available in female and male versions, 30 per box, with free shipping to anywhere in the U.S. Each box includes instructions for use.

For answers to common questions — compatibility, shipping times, returns — visit our FAQ page.