The 100% Silicone catheter is a urinary catheter made entirely out of silicone. They contain no latex, which makes them ideal for people with latex allergies or sensitivities.
100% Silicone catheters come in many different types and styles, including Foley, intermittent, and coude tip catheters.
How a 100% Silicone Catheter Works
100% Silicone catheters work just like other foley catheters. The tip is inserted through the urethra until it reaches the bladder. Small openings on the tip, called eyelets, allow urine to flow through the catheter and collect outside the body in a drainage bag or disposable recepticle.
Types of 100% Silicone Catheters
100% Silicone Catheters come in a wide range of types and styles. Here are a few of the most common ones:
Two-Way Foley Catheter
The most common type of 100% Silicone catheter. It comes with two ports that are used for inflating the balloon and allowing urine to exit the body.
Three-Way Foley Catheter
A 100% Silicone that’s made with three ports. One allows urine to exit the body, one is used to inflate the balloon, and one is used to flush the catheter clean
Intermittent Catheter
Catheters designed to be used once then thrown away. They have no balloons or ports and cannot remain in the bladder on their own.
Who Uses a 100% Silicone Catheter?
100% Silicone catheters are prescribed for men and women with latex allergies or other sensitivities that prevent them from using latex catheters. In some cases, 100% silicone catheters may also be used for people who experience more pain or discomfort when inserting a catheter.
Benefits of Silicone Catheters
The biggest benefit of using a silicone catheter is that it is non-allergenic and works well for those with sensitive skin. While silicone allergies do exist, they are very rare and far less common than latex allergies. Silicone may also be softer and therefore, better for those who experience discomfort with clean intermittent self-catheterization. Silicone is a super smooth material with a degree of flexibility, making insertion easy and causing less irritation to the urethra. They have less encrustation when compared to latex and are more tissue friendly. Silicone catheters also tend to have wider lumen to optimize drainage.
Disadvantages of Silicone Catheters
The flexibility of silicone catheters can be seen as a disadvantage if you have trouble with intermittent self-catheterization. They will require more precision and some people find them to be too stiff. The best way to determine whether you prefer silicone or latex is to try both. Silicone Foley catheters have also been known to cause “cuffing” to the balloon, which can increase the difficulty of removal.
There are many urologic conditions that may require you to use catheterization either temporarily or for longer periods of time. Some of these include urinary incontinence and urinary retention. If you need to use one and choose to utilize a silicone catheter, your doctor will walk you through how to perform intermittent catheterization so that you are comfortable with the process before going home. While you may feel some discomfort or anxiety at first, self-catheterization should not cause you severe pain. If you feel any sharp or intense pain during insertion, stop inserting the catheter, remove it, and contact your doctor.
