Catheters and urine drainage

If you lose urine or stool uncontrollably, drainage incontinence products (ableitende Inkontinenz) help quickly and effectively.

By draining body fluids in a targeted way, they contribute to better hygiene, health and quality of life. They allow people with severe incontinence to live a more comfortable and healthier life, help to avoid complications and make everyday life easier. This gives them more independence and self-determination.

Types of product

Intermittent catheters

An intermittent catheter (Einmalkatheter) is a single-use aid for emptying the bladder: a thin, flexible tube that is inserted into the urethra or directly into the bladder and drains the urine out of the body.

• Bladder function is preserved: the bladder is emptied regularly, which helps prevent the bladder muscles from wasting.
• No permanent foreign body: no catheter remains in the body, which reduces irritation and pressure sores.
• Easy to use: patients can use it themselves, for example for intermittent self-catheterisation.

Indwelling catheters

An indwelling catheter (Dauerkatheter) remains in the bladder for a longer period and drains urine continuously. It is placed through the urethra (transurethral) or through the abdominal wall (suprapubic) and held in place in the bladder by a small balloon. Because the risk of infection is higher than with intermittent catheters, careful hygiene and regular checks are important.

• Continuous urine drainage: particularly helpful with severe incontinence or limited mobility.
• Makes care easier: in long-term or palliative care, when regular catheterisation is not possible.
• After operations: safe urine drainage while you heal.
• Suprapubic placement also possible: this avoids irritation of the urethra and is often more comfortable.

Urinary sheaths

The urinary sheath (Kondomurinal) is a practical, safe and discreet alternative for incontinence. Soft, breathable, skin-friendly materials make it more comfortable to wear; a self-adhesive surface or skin adhesive ensures a secure fit. The urine drains straight into a leak-proof urine bag, so there is no unpleasant odour.

Urine bags

Urine bags collect the urine drained through a catheter or urinary sheath – hygienically and in a controlled way. Leg bags are worn discreetly under clothing by people who are mobile; bed bags hold more and are mostly used at night or by people who are bedridden.

We can supply you in cases such as

• urinary incontinence and urinary retention
• age-related weakness of the bladder muscles
• after operations
• chronic urinary tract infections
• limited mobility
• neurological conditions such as paraplegia, multiple sclerosis, spina bifida or Parkinson’s disease

Manufacturers

We supply products from these manufacturers. Click a logo to see that manufacturer’s products in our product search (in German).

All products are available in different versions, depending on the contracts in place with the body paying for your supplies.

Our product search for catheters and urine drainage is available in German: search products (in German).

Downloads

• Urinary sheath flyer (in German) (PDF, 3.1 MB)
• Anlage 4 ableitende Inkontinenz (in German) (PDF, 210 KB)

More in our guide

• 

  Incontinence products on prescription: entitlement, co-payment and deadlines

  What health insurance covers for incontinence, what you pay yourself, how long a prescription is valid and why you are free to choose your supplier.

  Symbolic image, generated with artificial intelligence.

• 

  Higher co-payments from 2027: what applies to medical aids

  From 1 January 2027, co-payments rise by half. Why the law already says 15 euros for pads and catheters, and what applies until then.

  Symbolic image, generated with artificial intelligence.

All articles on catheters and urinary sheaths (in German)