Coloplast SpeediCath Compact Plus Female Intermittent Catheter

SKUs: 28810 (10Fr) | 28812 (12Fr) | 28814 (14Fr)  |  3.5" Female Length  |  Pre-Hydrated Hydrophilic  |  Easy-Grip Handle  |  Polyurethane  |  PVC-Free  |  Phthalate-Free  |  Prescription Required  |  FSA Eligible  |  Latex Free

A 3.5" pre-hydrated hydrophilic intermittent catheter purpose-designed for female anatomy — compact enough to carry in a pocket or small bag, instantly ready to use with no water-activation step required. The easy-grip handle supports non-touch insertion technique while maintaining control throughout the short insertion distance. Pre-hydrated polyurethane construction. PVC-free and phthalate-free. Polished eyelets. Three French sizes. Prescription required. FSA eligible. 30/pack.

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French size is prescribed. This catheter is designed for female anatomy only — do not use for male catheterization. Questions? 1-866-218-0902

Key Features

• 3.5" (approximately 9cm) length — purpose-designed for female urethral anatomy; the shortest catheter length appropriate for adult female self-catheterization
• Pre-hydrated hydrophilic coating — fully lubricated at the time of package opening; no water-activation step or external water source required; insert immediately
• Easy-grip handle — integrated compact handle for non-touch insertion technique; fingers contact the handle, not the catheter surface
• Compact, pocket-sized form factor — approximately the size of a lipstick; designed for discreet carry and use anywhere
• Polished eyelets — smooth, rounded drainage openings to minimize urethral trauma
• Polyurethane construction — soft, flexible material; PVC-free
• Phthalate-free — does not contain DEHP or other phthalate plasticizers
• Straight tip — for uncomplicated urethral anatomy
• Single-use — do not reuse
• Prescription required | FSA eligible | Latex free

Clinical FAQs

Why is the female catheter 3.5" rather than the 6" used in standard female intermittent catheters?

The female urethra is approximately 3–5cm (roughly 1.2–2 inches) long — significantly shorter than the male urethra (approximately 20cm). A 6" catheter for female use is already much shorter than a male catheter and provides enough length to reach the bladder from the urethral opening with catheter remaining outside the body for drainage control. The SpeediCath Compact Plus Female takes this further: at 3.5", the catheter is designed specifically for the compact package format, using the minimal length needed to reliably reach the female bladder while fitting within the small, lipstick-sized housing. The compact length is what makes the pocket-carry form factor achievable. Female patients transitioning from a standard 6" catheter to the 3.5" Compact Plus may notice the different handling feel; the easy-grip handle is designed to provide control at this shorter working length.

What does "pre-hydrated" mean and how is it different from water-activated hydrophilic catheters?

A water-activated hydrophilic catheter (such as the Coloplast Self-Cath Plus female line) requires the user to add water to the packaging before use — the hydrophilic coating then absorbs the water and becomes lubricated. A pre-hydrated catheter like the SpeediCath Compact Plus arrives with the coating already fully saturated in solution inside the sealed package. Opening the package releases a catheter that is immediately ready for insertion with no water addition, no activation wait time, and no need for access to a water source. This is the same pre-hydrated mechanism as the SpeediCath Compact Set Male (28422) — applied here to a female-specific form factor. For women who catheterize in public, at work, in vehicles, or in other settings where finding water is inconvenient, the pre-hydrated format removes a meaningful practical barrier.

What is the easy-grip handle and how does it differ from the grip features on standard female catheters?

Standard female catheters such as the Coloplast Self-Cath Female (SKU 208–214) have a funnel end that the user holds during insertion — the funnel provides a grip point but requires the fingers to be relatively close to the catheter body. The SpeediCath Compact Plus Female has an integrated rigid handle that protrudes from the top of the compact housing. The user grips this handle — keeping fingers away from the catheter surface entirely — and guides the catheter into the urethra using the handle for directional control. This non-touch insertion mechanism is particularly useful for women with limited finger dexterity, reduced grip strength, or those who catheterize in settings where maintaining clean technique with direct catheter handling is difficult. The handle's compact ergonomic design also accounts for the shorter catheter working length of 3.5".

This catheter is PVC-free and phthalate-free — why does this matter for a female catheter specifically?

Most conventional intermittent catheters are made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which typically contains phthalate plasticizers including DEHP to maintain flexibility. Some studies have associated phthalate exposure with hormonal and reproductive effects. For female catheter users — who may include women of childbearing age and pregnant women — phthalate-free materials are a clinically relevant consideration. The SpeediCath Compact Plus Female uses polyurethane rather than PVC, eliminating both the PVC material and any associated phthalate content. This is directly analogous to the DEHP-free positioning of the Cure Medical male catheter in the MDS catalog. For women who prefer to avoid phthalate exposure or who have been advised to use phthalate-free medical devices, this catheter is an appropriate choice.

How does this compare to the Coloplast Self-Cath Female (SKUs 208–214) in the MDS catalog?

Both are designed for female self-catheterization, but they differ significantly in design philosophy. The Self-Cath Female is a 6" siliconized PVC catheter with a funnel or Luer end — straightforward, reliable, uncoated (requires separate lubricant), and cost-effective. The SpeediCath Compact Plus Female is 3.5", pre-hydrated hydrophilic polyurethane — fully lubricated without any lubricant step, compact enough to pocket, with an easy-grip handle for non-touch technique. The Self-Cath Female is appropriate for home users who catheterize at a toilet with consistent routine; the SpeediCath Compact Plus is optimized for active women who catheterize frequently in varied settings and value discretion, instant readiness, and lubrication without additional steps. The SpeediCath is more expensive per catheterization.

Questions about the SpeediCath female format, phthalate-free materials, or female catheter selection? Call our product specialists: 1-866-218-0902