How To Put On A Condom Catheter, Shaving Technique, Etc.

It connects via tubing to a drainage bag strapped to the leg, making it discreet and portable. It is often used by men with urinary incontinence who do not have urinary retention, and is recommended in infection-prevention guidelines as a safer alternative to indwelling (Foley) catheters for reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). 

Research also supports its reliability for certain urodynamic measurements, with reproducibility comparable to invasive methods. In clinical and home settings, benefits include easier application, improved comfort, and reduced risk of urethral injury. However, proper sizing, hygiene, and regular skin checks are essential to prevent irritation, leakage, or rare complications. With the right technique and care, a condom catheter can help men maintain independence and protect skin health.

Who should consider a condom catheter

Condom catheters are an option for men with urinary incontinence due to stress or functional causes, those who are bedridden, or receiving palliative care. According to the CDC, over 50% of hospital urinary catheters are placed in emergency departments, often without exploring alternatives.

Indications for external catheters include advanced pressure ulcers (Stage III–IV), incontinence-associated dermatitis, the need for accurate daily urine measurement, a single urine collection, relief of acute severe pain, or patient preference. They are unsuitable for agitated patients, severe penile skin disease, or suspected urethral injury. Using them can reduce infection risk compared to internal catheters.

Types, sizing and product choices

Condom catheters come in two main types: self-adhesive sheaths, coated with a medical-grade adhesive for direct skin contact, and non-adhesive sheaths, secured with special tape or skin-safe glue. Materials include latex (avoid if allergic) and newer silicone designs that are softer, breathable, and reduce slippage. Correct sizing is critical — measure penile circumference at the base, where it’s widest. An incorrect fit can cause leakage if too large or skin constriction if too small. In one clinical review, 92% of patients fit a medium-large (26–36 mm) silicone model, which stayed in place during movement in 89% of cases and showed 0% skin injury over 44 catheter days. Trying manufacturer samples helps find the best fit. Newer adhesive and adjustable silicone catheters can be reused up to three days, potentially lowering cost, waste, and staff time while reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) risk compared to indwelling catheters.

Preparation — Skin Check, Hygiene, and Shaving Technique

Proper preparation before applying a condom catheter is essential to reduce leakage, improve adhesive performance, and maintain skin health. Start with a thorough skin check around the penis and surrounding area to ensure there are no cuts, irritation, or infections. Healthy skin provides a better seal and lowers the risk of complications.

Clean the area gently with warm water and a mild, fragrance-free soap. Avoid harsh cleansers that can dry or irritate the skin. After washing, pat the skin dry carefully—never rub, as friction can cause damage and interfere with adhesive adhesion.

Shaving is generally not required before using a condom catheter. However, trimming pubic hair around the base of the penis with electric clippers can help the adhesive stick better and prevent premature catheter slippage. Avoid using razors for shaving, especially if you have fragile skin or are on blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants), as this increases the risk of cuts, infection, and bleeding. In such cases, clipping is safer and preferred. Also, avoid shaving if the skin is inflamed, broken, or highly sensitive.

If you do shave, ensure the skin is completely dry before applying the catheter. Moisturizers should only be used if approved by your healthcare provider and must be fully absorbed to prevent interference with adhesion.

Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after catheter application. Change the condom catheter daily, empty the collection bag as needed, and never reuse catheters. Following these simple steps promotes comfort, safety, and catheter effectiveness.

Step-by-step: How to Put on a Condom Catheter

Supplies needed: condom catheter, tubing, urine drainage bag, wet wipes or soapy washcloths, towel, scissors or clippers, skin barrier (optional), special double-sided tape (optional).

1. Hand hygiene: Begin by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water to reduce infection risk.

2. Trim pubic hair: Use electric clippers or scissors to trim pubic hair around the base of the penis. Avoid shaving with razors if skin is fragile or if you are on anticoagulants.

3. Clean the penis: Gently wash the penis with warm water and mild soap or wet wipes. Rinse well and pat dry carefully. Inspect the skin for redness, cuts, or irritation. Contact your healthcare provider if you notice any issues.

4. Apply skin barrier (optional): Use a skin barrier product if recommended, to protect the skin from adhesive irritation.

5. Apply the condom catheter: Place the catheter tip on the penis, leaving about 2 cm (0.75”) space between the catheter tip and penis end to allow proper urine flow. Unroll the catheter evenly down the shaft, smoothing out folds or wrinkles. Gentle stretching of the penis can help with application.

6. Secure the catheter: Press gently at the base for 15 seconds to activate the adhesive using your warm hand. If you use adhesive tape, apply it spirally, not circumferentially, to avoid restricting blood flow.

7. Connecting a drainage bag: Wipe tubing connectors with alcohol swabs. Attach one end of the tubing to the catheter tip and the other to the drainage bag. Ensure tubing is free of twists or kinks. Position the drainage bag below hip level to prevent urine backflow. Secure the leg bag with straps comfortably, not too tight, and consider using a thigh strap to prevent pulling on the catheter.

8. Check flow and skin: Confirm urine flows freely. Regularly check the catheter and skin for leaks, redness, or swelling, especially during activity.

9. Removing the condom catheter: Gently roll the catheter off starting at the adhesive base. If it sticks, use a warm, damp washcloth to loosen the adhesive or adhesive remover. Never forcibly tear it off to avoid skin damage. Always inspect the skin after removal and seek medical attention if you notice swelling or redness.

Monitoring and Routine Care

Change the condom catheter every 24–72 hours per instructions. Check skin regularly for irritation. Empty drainage bag before full, keep tubing untwisted, maintain hand hygiene, and report any fever, pain, odor, or skin issues promptly.

Complications and When to Seek Help

Skin irritation and dermatitis are common, affecting approximately 15–30% of men using condom catheters. This includes redness, rash, erosion, and maceration, mainly on the penile shaft due to friction or adhesive sensitivity.

Pressure necrosis and strangulation are rare but serious complications. Though uncommon, they can cause tissue damage, including penile gangrene and even partial amputation, as reported in several case studies. Vigilance is critical to prevent such outcomes.

Urine leakage and poor drainage may lead to skin breakdown and increase infection risk. Leaks often result from an ill-fitting catheter and affect a notable proportion of users, requiring adjustment or device change.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are less frequent than with indwelling catheters but remain a concern. Maintaining a closed drainage system and hygiene can reduce infection risk.

Penile erosion from prolonged use can cause painful sores and skin loss. If you experience severe redness, pus, blackened skin, or pain, remove the catheter immediately and seek medical care.

The caregiver’s role

Caregivers play a central role in safe condom-catheter use. They should receive hands-on training (or a demonstration video) from a nurse and follow written instructions for the chosen product. 

• Before each application, check the penis for:

  • Cuts

  • Irritation

  • Swelling

- Never apply a sheath over broken or damaged skin.

• Keep careful notes including:

  • Product brand and size used

  • Date and time of application and removal

  • Urine volume (if relevant)

  • Any skin changes observed

• Observe the patient for:

  • Pain or discomfort

  • Leakage

  • Changes in urine color or odor

• Report immediately if you notice:

  • Fever

  • Persistent redness

  • Any suspected skin breakdown

• Use gentle language to preserve the patient’s dignity.

• Ensure privacy during the procedure.

• When in doubt, remove the sheath and seek clinical advice rather than re-taping or forcing the device to stay on.

• In institutional settings, follow facility protocols on:

  • Frequency of catheter changes

  • Escalation pathways to prevent complications

• Considering Alternatives to Condom Catheters:

When considering urinary management options, it’s important to assess whether an alternative product might better suit the patient’s needs. QuickChange Wraps and other incontinence pads can be effective choices for those who do not require continuous urine drainage.

For patients who need regular monitoring of urine output, incontinence pads can be weighed to estimate volume accurately. Just like with condom catheters, caregivers should receive proper training to use these alternatives safely and maintain hygiene.

Conclusion

Proper condom catheter use, including careful preparation, sizing, and hygiene, supports men’s comfort and independence while reducing complications. Training caregivers and considering alternatives like QuickChange Wraps enhances safe, effective urinary incontinence management.

For added protection, especially for men managing incontinence or chronic UTIs, try QuickChange Wraps. We invite you to purchase a 10 Count Trial Pack here or request a professional-use sample pack for healthcare institutions here.

 For those seeking support, we invite you to purchase a 10 Count Trial Pack here or request a Professional-Use Sample Pack for healthcare institutions here. Supporting men with incontinence begins with the right tools, and QuickChange is proud to be part of that solution.

References:

1. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2015, October). Guide to implementing a program to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections in long-term care. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://www.ahrq.gov/hai/quality/tools/cauti-ltc/modules/implementation/guide.html

2. Buddharaju, V., & Shelton, D. (2024, September 15). Acanthus condom catheter: A reusable and adjustable silicone male external catheter with pressure-sensitive silicone adhesive for urinary drainage. Cureus, 16(9), e69482. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.69482

3. Cleveland Clinic. (2022, March 10). Condom catheter for incontinence: Application, use & care. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/procedures/22475-condom-catheter-for-incontinence

4. Greene, L., Felix, K., Manojlovich, M., Meddings, J., Saint, S., Trautner, B. W., & Fowler, K. (2019). Alternatives to the indwelling urinary catheter (CAUTI 103). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/infection-control/media/pdfs/Strive-CAUTI103-508.pdf

5. Kwan, G., & Horne, I. (2022). Condom catheters (SCE2-Sa5). University Health Network – Toronto Rehab. Retrieved August 9, 2025, from https://www.uhn.ca/TorontoRehab/Spinal-Cord-Rehab/Spinal-Cord-Essentials/Documents/Self-Care/SCE2-Sa5-Condom-Catheters.pdf

6. Meddings, J., Saint, S., Fowler, K. E., Gaies, E., Hickner, A., Krein, S. L., & Bernstein, S. J. (2015, May 5). The Ann Arbor criteria for appropriate urinary catheter use in hospitalized medical patients: Results obtained by using the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method. Annals of Internal Medicine, 162(9 Suppl), S1–S34. https://doi.org/10.7326/M14-1304

7. Newman, D. K. (n.d.). Complications & adverse events – External urinary catheters. UroToday. Retrieved August 9, 2025, from https://www.urotoday.com/library-resources/bladder-health/120650-complications-adverse-events-external-urinary-catheters.html

8. Özkan, H. S., İrkoren, S., & Sivrioğlu, N. (2015, June). Penile strangulation and necrosis due to condom catheter. International Wound Journal, 12(3), 248–249. https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.12102

9. Saint, S., Krein, S. L., Fowler, K. E., Colozzi, J., Ratz, D., Lescinskas, E., Chrouser, K., & Trautner, B. W. (2019, March 20). Condom catheters versus indwelling urethral catheters in men: A prospective, observational study. Journal of Hospital Medicine, 14, E1–E4. https://doi.org/10.12788/jhm.3180

10. Sinha, A. K., Kumar, N., Kumar, A., & Singh, S. (2018, October 22). Condom catheter induced penile skin erosion. Journal of Surgical Case Reports, 2018(10), rjy275. https://doi.org/10.1093/jscr/rjy275

11. van Mastrigt, R., Pel, J. J., Chung, J. W., & de Zeeuw, S. (2009, January). Development and application of the condom catheter method for non-invasive measurement of bladder pressure. Indian Journal of Urology, 25(1), 99–104. https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-1591.45546