urine catheters

[anon125]

as a  male in my 70s i will have a catheter for the rest of my life.
which is best- bags where the urine flows "all the time"  or a valve that i use to empty into the toilet several times a day. nobody here can tell me.
it is a suprapubic
thanks

[auntiejessi]

I found this -

https://healthtalk.org/living-urinary-catheter/catheter-valves

"Many people prefer to use a catheter valve because it may reduce the risk of infection and blockage by intermittently flushing the catheter with urine. Having a valve without a bag is also more discreet and comfortable than having a drainage bag. There are many different types of valve (e.g. flip flow valves)."

That has some videos of people who talk about their experiences with both.

Here's another article that may help -

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4789885/

[anon125]

thanks for your help. i have seen both for and against the valve- re UTIs  !!

[anon125]

tried both- but i need a medical view as my doc does not know

[GuitarRox]

Well, would it not come down to what YOU like better?

[GuitarRox]

It's my understanding though that many like  have the valve because it reduces risk of infection. It's also a bit more discreet.

[anon125]

looks like this forum has shut down

[GuitarRox]

The forum hasn't shut down but we are volunteers so you have to be patient.

What exactly is your question? bags or valves? Have you tried both yet?