Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
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Who this is for: clinic staff, buyers and students who need to tell male external catheter designs apart: how they are held on, what they are made of, and what the special designs are for.
This page describes products and general use; it is not medical advice.
What a male external catheter is
A male external catheter (MEC) is a device worn over the penis that drains urine into a collection bag without entering the urethra. The European Association of Urology Nurses (EAUN) guideline on male external catheters in adults describes the common self-adhesive type as having three parts: a connecting tube, a buffer zone and an adhesive zone. Sizes vary by manufacturer. It is also sold as a condom catheter or sheath; for how it differs from indwelling catheters, see the Texas catheter guide, and for the wider catheter families see urinary catheter types and selection.
Types by fixation
The EAUN guideline sorts male external catheters mainly by how they stay on the penis. The most direct answer to “what types are there” is: self-adhesive, two-piece with separate fixation, and special designs.
| Type | How it is held on | Key difference |
|---|---|---|
| Self-adhesive | Adhesive film on the inside of the sheath | One piece: connecting tube, buffer zone and adhesive zone in a single device |
| Two-piece / separate fixation | Double-sided adhesive, skin glue (tube or spray), or an external fixative such as reusable foam and elastic strips secured with Velcro | The sheath and the means of fixation are separate items |
| Special types | Varies: balloon-principle (inflatable ring), drip urinal, pubic-pressure body-worn urinal, glans-applied device, KIC sheath system | Designed for situations a standard sheath does not suit |
Source: EAUN, Male external catheters in adults: urinary catheter management (2016), chapter 6, Products and Materials. Checked 2026-10-30.
On adhesion, the guideline states that “securing a MEC to the penis without using any adhesives generally results in less secure fixation”, and notes that external fixatives may be associated with an increased risk of penile strangulation. Methods it lists are self-adhesive inner film, double-sided strips, skin adhesives, external fixatives, and a skin adhesive strengthener.
Materials
| Material | What the guideline says |
|---|---|
| Silicone | Translucent and breathable; biocompatible; allergy is rare; transparency lets the skin be checked |
| PVC | Durable, but needs plasticisers that may be hazardous in long-term use |
| Polyurethane | Latex-free and thinner |
| Latex | Flexible, but some patients are sensitive to it and some European countries are phasing it out |
Source: EAUN 2016, chapter 6. Checked 2026-10-30.
Special types and features
Beyond the standard sheath, the guideline lists balloon-principle catheters with an inflatable ring, drip urinals, pubic-pressure body-worn urinals, glans-applied devices and the KIC sheath system. It also lists features that some products add: anti-reflux valves, applicator or help stripes, anti-kinking and anti-blow-off designs.
Sizes: what the label means
Sizing is set by each manufacturer, so a size name on one brand does not carry over to another. As one example, the NLM AccessGUDID record for the UroCare Uro-Cath II Silicone Self-Adhering male external catheter (catalog 530124) lists sizes of 24, 28, 31, 35 and 40 mm, with the 24 mm outer diameter labelled “Small”. The record describes a thin silicone sheath that rolls on, with adhesive on the inside, draining into a funnel-shaped cup connected to a collection bag; it is non-sterile and its natural rubber latex labelling fields are “No”. Source: NLM AccessGUDID, checked 2026-10-30. Connection options in the EAUN guideline include direct connection to the bag or tubes of 10 cm or 30 cm, with leg bags from 200 to 900 ml, usually 500 ml.
Regulatory class
In the United States, urine collectors not connected to an indwelling catheter, including urosheath-type and paste-on incontinence devices, are covered by 21 CFR 876.5250 and are Class I, subject to general controls and exempt from premarket notification (subject to 876.9). Source: eCFR, 21 CFR 876.5250, checked 2026-10-30.
What to check on the label
Product labelling and the manufacturer’s instructions for use are the reference for a specific product. The points that differ between products are the size name and diameter, the fixation method, the sheath material, and the natural rubber latex labelling. Choosing a product for a particular person is a decision for their care team.
Handling and labelling basics
- Sizes, fixation and handling differ between brands, so the manufacturer’s instructions for use apply to each product.
- Transparent silicone allows the skin to be inspected, as the EAUN guideline notes.
- Latex content appears on the labelling; the guideline notes that some patients are sensitive to latex.
- The guideline links external fixatives such as Velcro or bandage-style fixation with a risk of penile strangulation.
Common mix-ups
- Sizes are manufacturer-specific and not interchangeable across brands.
- A male external catheter does not enter the urethra, so it is a different device class from an indwelling catheter.
- Fixation without adhesive is described in the guideline as generally less secure.
FAQ
What are the main types of male external catheter?
Self-adhesive sheaths, two-piece systems with separate fixation, and special designs such as balloon-principle, drip urinals, glans-applied devices and the KIC sheath system (EAUN, 2016).
What are male external catheters made of?
Silicone, PVC, polyurethane or latex, each with trade-offs listed in the materials table above.
Are male external catheter sizes the same across brands?
No. Sizing is set by each manufacturer; for example, one silicone self-adhering product in the NLM AccessGUDID database is listed in 24, 28, 31, 35 and 40 mm.
Is a male external catheter a Class I device in the United States?
Urine collectors not intended to be connected to an indwelling catheter, including urosheath-type devices, are Class I under 21 CFR 876.5250.
Sources
- EAUN, Male external catheters in adults: urinary catheter management (2016), chapter 6. Checked 2026-10-30.
- U.S. eCFR, 21 CFR 876.5250, Urine collector and accessories. Checked 2026-10-30.
- NLM, AccessGUDID record, Uro-Cath II Silicone Self-Adhering MEC, Small 24mm. Checked 2026-10-30.
Related: female catheter types, adult incontinence product selection, and male external catheters.
