Posted by Andrew on 2/2/2008, 11:57 pm, in reply to "Any ladies using a catherter?"

Hi Megan First I'm no lady :-) There is a ladies' email support group that use catheters that may be worth contacting. They are in the States, so the catheters may differ. Go to http://www.paruresis.org/women_FAQ.htm They are easy to use; but female biology means is is slightly more tricky to find the opening to the urethra. The site above will help here. If you email me, I can send you a full description of how to do it written by a woman. "If it is painful, you are not doing it right". It is much easier for women, the urethra being only about two inches long, and straight; unlike men where the urethra is more like 9 - 10 inches long and has bends in it! The GP practice nurse would train you in using it. Because female caths ar much shorter than men's, you can even get one with a container that looks like a lipstick; discreet and handbag size. The optional treatment is Cognitive Behaviour therapy (CBT) via a clinical psychologist (see your GP) or attending our workshops. But I suggest you get the caths as well; just having them in your bag as a fall-back will reduce your anxiety, so you may find that you can do without it; paradoxical but true. cheers Andrew

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