Curan Advantage Female

Water sachet

Single flow urine outlet Adhesive tab at back – to hang the package vertically during activation of the coating

Resealable opening tab

Universal connection to a urine collection bag (if required) Comfort Coat® – smooth hydrophilic catheter coating Smooth, polished eyelets

How to use Curan Advantage Female

Step 1

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and dry them . Make yourself comfortable . If there is a possibility you might be able to urinate, always try before you use a catheter .

Step 2

Wash around the opening of the urethra using an alcohol-free wet wipe or mild soap and water . Wash from front to back to reduce the risk of infection .

Step 3

Before opening the packaging, release the sterile water by lightly pinching or squeezing the integrated sachet until it bursts .

Step 4

Wait approximately 25 seconds for the sterile water to activate the hydrophilic coating . You can use the adhesive tab at the back to hang the packaging on a vertical surface whilst you prepare for catheterisation .

Step 5

When you are ready to catheterise open the tab at the front of the packaging by pulling upwards then take hold of the catheter funnel end and pull it from the packaging . At this stage, if required, attach a urine bag to the drainage end of Curan Advantage using the universal connector . If using the longer unisex catheter you can use the Blue Grip® to hold the catheter and help guide insertion, without directly touching the catheter itself .

Step 6

Find a position where you are most comfortable and can locate the urethra . Here are some of the positions that you may find helpful to perform ISC . Lying propped up on the bed .

Sitting over the toilet .

Sitting in a wheelchair . If you are doing ISC in a wheelchair, or lying propped up on the bed, it might be useful to attach a urine drainage bag to the catheter or have an appropriate receptacle to hand to collect urine .

Step 7

Spread the labia apart gently with the index finger and middle finger of one hand . You may need to pull slightly upwards to expose the urethra .

Step 8

With your other hand gently insert the catheter into your urethra as you have been shown until it reaches the bladder and urine starts to flow .

Step 9

When the flow stops, ease out the catheter slowly to ensure that urine is no longer draining . If urine flow starts again, stop withdrawing the catheter . The bladder needs to be fully emptied to reduce the risk of infection .

Step 10

Dispose of the catheter and the outer packaging in a waste bin . Do NOT flush it down the toilet . Wash your hands again with soap and water . If there is no immediate method of disposal available, Curan Advantage can be replaced in the packaging and resealed using the adhesive tab to carry with you until a bin is located . Curan Advantage is a single use catheter and should not be reused .

Curan reviews: Curan Advantage

Curan Advantage is fantastic. Not only am I using it with new patients, but I have swapped existing patients (who find insertion painful) onto Curan Advantage – the lubricant is excellent!

Urology Nurse Specialist

I found these to help, they are comfy to use as I found other brands hurt or felt scratchy. I would be lost without them.

Curan Advantage user

To leave a review please visit the relevant product page on our website: www .clinimed .co .uk

How often should I catheterise?

This depends on the individual, the reason for catheterisation, how much fluid you drink and whether you have been prescribed additional medication . Your healthcare professional will advise you on how many times a day you need to catheterise .

Does ISC hurt?

It may feel like a strange sensation at first, but ISC should not be painful . For some people the urethra is sensitive when first learning and if this does not settle with time then ask for advice . It is normal for some people to find ISC difficult to begin with but after a very short time and with a little practice you will find it very straightforward .

Will I always have to catheterise from now on?

This will depend on the reason for catheterisation . Sometimes ISC is a temporary measure until your bladder regains its normal function . You should report any changes in the amount of urine you are passing to your healthcare professional who will review the need for continuing ISC or altering the frequency .

What should I do if I can’t insert the catheter?

If you have tried and failed, do your best not to worry or panic as this is a fairly common problem and wait for around 20 minutes before trying again . Try to relax, as much as you can, as this is key to successful insertion . Do not try to force the catheter in as this can damage your urethra . If you still can’t manage to insert the catheter, then contact your healthcare professional or the out of hours number you have been given .

What if the catheter goes into my vagina by mistake?

Simply remove the catheter and dispose of it, then start again with a new catheter .

What should I do if I am having my period?

Good hygiene during menstruation is always important . Every time you catheterise yourself, you should wash your genital area with a mild soap, remembering to rinse well, and you should change your tampon or sanitary pad often .

Frequently asked questions

What if there is no urine coming out of the catheter?

If there is no urine draining, remove the catheter and try a new one . Make sure you are putting the catheter in the right place . If there is still no drainage and you feel your bladder is still full, then contact your healthcare professional .

What should I do if I can’t remove the catheter?

Try not to panic and stay calm, this can happen if you are tense and your muscles go into spasm . Relax for 5-10 minutes to allow the muscles to loosen up . Coughing several times as you begin to remove the catheter can also help . If none of these suggestions work then you should seek medical advice .

How much should I drink?

You should drink around 1 .5 litres or 2-3 pints of fluid each day .

What if I see blood?

Don’t worry . It is very common to see a few drops of blood around the tip of the catheter when you have finished or some pinkish discolouration of your urine after catheterisation . However, if bleeding is continuous or heavy then seek medical advice .

Are there any symptoms I should look out for?

Symptoms such as fever, uncontrollable shivering, blood in urine, cloudy urine, burning sensation on catheterisation, unpleasant smell from urine, tummy or lower back pain, may indicate an infection . You may not experience all of the symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) but it is important that if you suspect that you have a UTI, you contact your GP .

What should I do if I forget to catheterise?

You must catheterise as soon as you remember . Then continue as normal at the regular intervals you have been advised .

What happens if I do not catheterise as regularly as I was told to?

Do not allow your bladder to become too full as it may cause tenderness and bloating around the lower stomach, headache, feeling hot and sweaty . Occasionally forgetting to catheterise will not matter but if this happens too often it can cause urinary tract infection (UTI) and urinary leakage . Should the pressure in your bladder become too high there may be a risk of urine backflow to your kidneys, which could lead to complications .

What happens when I travel abroad?

Pack as many Curan catheters as you will need for the duration of your holiday or business trip . To avoid any possible problems with customs ask your healthcare professional for a written statement explaining that the catheters are necessary for medical reasons and are for your own use or call the CliniMed® Careline on 0800 036 0100 and request a travel certificate .