Reminders How to CIC = Clean Intermittent (Self) Catheterize

Under the SilGro home page for Alan Silverstein and Cathie Grow
Email me at ajs@frii.com
Last update: August 28, 2025

This webpage shares my personal collection of reminders (for males) of how to self-catheterize (CIC = clean intermittent catheterization) in response to AUR (acute urinary retention).

First here is some background information about this webpage, and some "free advice" on living with BPH.

In particular, based on my own traumatizing experiences, I highly recommend getting self-cath training from a medical professional before attempting it for the first time yourself, unless it's a dire emergency and you have no other choice! (Nurses have told me that resistance and/or bleeding is frequent, and they just push past it!)

Standard disclaimer: I am not a doctor. This is not medical advice. I offer this just in case it helps you with useful ideas. Personal discretion is advised.

Reminders (specific to the author!) from training:

• exhaust all other tricks first (see other file)
• wash hands thoroughly with soap
• sterilize penis liberally with Hibiclens (or generic chlorhexamine)

• walk back and forth a bit to relax everything
• stand up near wall or counter for balance
• set pee bottle or bucket nearby
• rupture water pouch in (hydrophilic GC Glide or Lofric Origo) catheter package (if some other type, instead use KY or equivalent lube), wait 15 sec
• meanwhile: peel back; optionally stick package to wall
• remove cath from package touching only funnel and sliding sleeve

• slide grip sleeve down from top to near tip (don't touch catheter body)
• insert cath with penis out and up (fewest bends) pressing sleeve first
• if coude, not straight, keep mark aligned upward
• hold funnel to slide up sleeve; alternate holds

• expect some discomfort especially halfway, do not force false passage
• possible peeing urge/sensation and/or "electric shocks" near end; keep going slowly
• expect resistance when sleeve nearly at funnel (passing prostate incl median lobe): squat, lean forward, deep breaths, relax!
• expect pain and a little blood just before urine, with sleeve up to funnel and bottle/bucket ready to catch

• if resistance, more ideas to try from Facebook:
  • rotate coude catheter
  • deep squat with knees open, push until feels different, slowly rise up while pushing firmly
  • deep cough, somehow it helps
  • sit down and lean back

• once flowing, insert cath up to 1" more to put both eyelets into bladder
• when flow stops, withdraw a bit looking for more urine
• then extract cath at comfortable pace
• dump tubing into bottle/bucket to clean up later

• expect stinging pain for 1-2 hours afterward due to damage
• expect some residual pain for hours/days later, incl bladder cramps if it wore out before cath'ing