Urinary catheters can have adverse effects on body image and sexual function, a qualitative study has revealed. A total of 36 individuals, aged 22 to 96, who had used an indwelling urinary catheter for three months or longer were interviewed. Two thirds of the participants were men. Most (22) of the patients had catheters because of a neurological condition; the second most common reason was cancer (prostate, bowel and uterus).