Urinary management is an essential part of maintaining dignity and health, particularly for individuals with incontinence, urinary conditions, or mobility limitations. Accessible and reliable solutions are key when it comes to managing urinary needs, especially when accessing a traditional toilet is difficult or impossible. Portable and handheld urinals, along with other urinary management systems, provide a practical way to manage urine collection and storage, allowing individuals to maintain independence and comfort.
In this post, we’ll focus on the best portable urinals and assistive urinary management systems, excluding indwelling catheters and absorbent underwear. These systems are specifically designed to ensure ease of use, dignity, and accuracy in voiding urine, particularly for individuals with disabilities. We’ll cover several top options, their features, benefits, and considerations to help you choose the best solution for your needs.
This content does not offer medical or occupational therapist advice, diagnosis, or treatment and is for educational purposes only. We hold no liability for damages resulting from website use or information. Users are advised to consult qualified healthcare professionals for their health or functional concerns. Read full disclosure here.
Inclusivity Note About Urinary Management Systems
Male and female anatomy options are sorted here for ease of categorization because products are marketed for males or females. However, it’s important to note that everyone’s body is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to urinal selection. People of all genders can consider their own unique needs, and select options regardless of male or female device description.
Talk to Your Healthcare Providers
If you or your loved one have urinary health or incontinence concerns, please consult your primary care provider. They can address medications, any needed testing, and other health factors. An occupational therapist is skilled at helping with toileting access, device selection, and safety. Pelvic floor trained physical or occupational therapists are also good resources. They are equipped to implement exercises and strategies to help reduce incontinence.
Best Handheld Urinals for Males
1. Basic Urinals for Males
Basic urinals are commonly found within health care and home settings, with most featuring a handle and lid. They are inexpensive and easy to obtain. To improve privacy and dignity, some people opt for solid colored plastic instead of clear.
2. Spill Proof Urinals for Males
Manufacturers have different approaches to spill-proof design so use caution as spills may still occur. Examples include URSEC urinal and North Coast Medical SPIL-PRUF urinals.
3. Small Hand-Held Urinal Connected to a Collection Bag
A small hand-held urinal leading to a catheter style collection bag may be hung onto a bed rail or night stand, under a wheelchair, or onto a walker. Check out Advantage Urinal Systems for Comfort and Standard Male Urinals with collection bag included. For many users, advantages include increased collection capacity and reduced likelihood of spills.
Small hand held urinal connected by plastic tubing to a collection bag.4. Small Handheld Urinal Connected to a Plastic Jug
Handheld urinals may also be connected to a plastic collection jug. The jug lends itself to being placed on the floor compared to bag options which can be hung. Like the collection bag option, advantages include increased capacity and reduced likelihood of spills.
Male Options for Continuous or Unexpected Flow of Urine
5. Condom Catheters
Condoms catheters are worn over the penis to collect urine which flows via tube to a collection bag. The condoms have a sticky coating to adhere to the skin. They can be tricky to adhere, may fall off, or cause skin irritation. Pro’s include hands-free management of urinary collection once set up for up to several hours. Coloplast is a well established manufacturer of bladder management solutions, including condom catheter supplies.
6. Men’s Liberty External Catheter
Similar to a condom catheter but with less coverage, two wrap around stickers surround the urethra and connect via tubing to a collection bag. Like condom catheters, the Men’s Liberty system can be worn for several hours.
7. Underwear with Urine Collection System Attached
On Amazon and other online retailers, you can find underwear with a small urinal attached that connects via tubing to a collection bag.
Best Handheld and Portable Female Urinals
8. Female Urinals
Wider, oval-shaped openings on plastic urinal jugs are designed to better accommodate female anatomy, enhancing both comfort and usability. Loona is an excellent example of thoughtful design, standing out with its ergonomically integrated handle and comfortably contoured shape for a more user-friendly experience.
It’s important to note that achieving true spill-proof functionality can be more challenging with female-presenting anatomy, especially when using urinals in reclined or fully supine positions. Careful positioning and product selection can make a significant difference in minimizing leaks and ensuring a more positive user experience.
Loona female urinal next to bedside. Image courtesy of Boom Home Medical.
Female compatible urinal. However, depending on anatomy and preference, this could by used by any gender.9. Hand-held Urinal Connected to a Collection Bag
With this type, a hand-held female anatomy style urinal leads to a collection bag that may be hung on a bed rail or night stand, under a wheelchair, onto a walker. For some users, advantages may include increased collection capacity and reduced likelihood of spills. Advantage Urinal Systems has female-specific designs.
10. Hand-held Urinal Connected to a Jug
Female anatomy style urinal connects via tubing to a jug. The jug lends itself better to being placed on the floor compared to the bag option.
Hand-held funnel to jug style urinal.Other Types of Female Urinary Devices
11. Uricap
UriCap Female is a safe and comfortable external urine collection device made of silicone that adheres to the area around the urethra without suction or glue. It uses natural forces of adhesion and gravity to collect urine into a urine bag avoiding wetness and contamination from the surrounding area. It’s very useful for night-time use, in a wheelchair, or to get a clean catch urine sample without catheterization. UriCap Female is reimbursed by Medicare under HCPCS code A4328. See how to use UriCap Female in this informative video.
Image of a hand holding part of the Uricap device that forms continuous surface-to-surface contact between the device and the skin surrounding the urethra. Image courtesy of TillaCare Ltd.
Diagram demonstrating how the UriCap Female urine continence system works. Image courtesy of of TillaCare Ltd.12. Bard Purewick
Arising out of acute care settings, the Bard Purewick is also available to consumers for home use. A cylindrical shaped absorbent external catheter wick is connected via tubing to a suction powered canister. Connection to their rechargeable battery or power cord to outlet is required. This is a good option for night time use or bed-bound users, but may be set up for recliner use as well. A drawback is the significant start up and replacement costs.
13. Female Urine Funnel
Women can now void urine while standing up thanks to a growing array of devices referred to as portable urinals, pee funnels, and pee cups. This could work for road trips, wheelchair users, or a number of other accessibility solutions. Go-Girl is an example.
Woman standing in front of a tent holds a GoGirl urine funnel. Image courtesy of GoGirl media kit.Conclusion
Urinary devices play a crucial role in urinary management and maintaining dignity and independence for people with incontinence, urinary conditions, and mobility limitations. With a variety of options available, it’s essential to consult with healthcare providers to determine the most appropriate device based on individual needs and preferences. Whether it’s a basic urinal, a specialized external catheter, or a external collection system, these devices empower individuals to manage their urinary health with confidence.
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