Treatments
There are many treatments for enlarged prostates, depending on the severity of symptoms. In mild cases, your health care provider might opt for a “wait and monitor” approach to see if it improves on its own or requires intervention. For more serious conditions, the options go from medication to shrink the prostate to removal of prostate tissue in surgery.
At any stage, your doctor might recommend symptom relief with periodic or ongoing use of a catheter. This is a good option as it empties the bladder completely—if you catheterise before going to bed, for instance, you won’t have the urge to go in the middle of the night. You’ll also be able to relieve that feeling of having to go but not being able to on your own, in the privacy of your bathroom, quickly and easily. And since you’ll be draining the bladder completely, you won’t have to worry about embarrassing leaks when you’re out and about.
Indwelling versus intermittent catheters
There are two types of urinary catheters, indwelling catheters and intermittent catheters (CIC). Indwelling catheters are left for longer periods of time inside the body. They can be suitable for some conditions, but have been known to cause leakage and complications such as inflammation, urinary tract infections, bladder stones and urethral strictures.
An intermittent catheter is inserted into the urethra only when the bladder needs to be emptied and is removed immediately afterwards. It mimics the natural way of bladder voiding in intervals and continence can be maintained between urinations. Disposable catheters are also often used while waiting for medication to take effect or in anticipation of an operation.
Intermittent catheters can have a very positive effect on quality of life. In particular, they can help improve sex life, as there is no equipment to remove and less worry about leakage, leading to better confidence and spontaneity.