The PureWick is a non-invasive external catheter system designed to wick urine away from the body using gentle suction, keeping skin dry without inserting anything into the urethra. It’s primarily used by women managing urinary incontinence at home or in care facilities. Setting it up correctly takes a few minutes, and once you understand the positioning and maintenance routine, it becomes straightforward.
What’s in the System
The PureWick system has three main parts that work together. The wick itself is a soft, flexible external catheter that sits against the body and absorbs urine on contact. A suction pump (the base unit) generates gentle vacuum pressure, around 120 to 140 mmHg, that pulls urine through the tubing and away from the skin. The urine collects in a 2,000 mL canister with a lid. Tubing connects the wick to the canister and the canister to the pump.
The wick is a single-use, disposable component. The pump, canister, and tubing are reusable and need regular cleaning.
How to Position the Wick
Correct placement is the single most important factor in whether the PureWick works well or leaks. The person using it should be lying down, ideally on their back or slightly to one side.
Place the wick snugly against the perineum, which is the area between the anus and the vaginal opening. Align the top edge of the white gauze portion against the pubic bone. Then tuck the tail end of the wick between the buttocks. The wick should feel secure against the body without being pressed uncomfortably tight. Once it’s in position, connect the tubing to the pump and turn the suction on.
If the person shifts positions during sleep or rest, the wick can move out of alignment. It’s worth checking placement periodically, especially early on while you’re getting used to the system.
When to Replace the Wick
Each wick should be replaced every 8 to 12 hours under normal use. Replace it sooner if it becomes soiled with feces or blood. Every time you swap in a fresh wick, check the skin underneath for redness, irritation, or breakdown. Keeping the area clean and dry between changes helps prevent skin problems from developing over time.
The wicks are single-use only. Do not attempt to rinse or reuse them.
Emptying and Cleaning the Canister
The collection canister holds up to 2,000 mL, but you should empty it before the urine level reaches 1,800 mL. If the canister overfills, the system can’t suction properly and urine may back up or leak. Getting into a routine of emptying it at least once per wick change keeps things running smoothly.
After emptying, rinse the canister thoroughly. Keeping the tubing clean and free of kinks also helps maintain consistent suction. If you notice the pump running but not pulling urine effectively, check the tubing connections first, then the canister level.
Fixing Leaks and Suction Problems
Leaking is the most common frustration with the PureWick, and it almost always comes down to positioning. If you’re experiencing leaks, start by repositioning the wick so it sits firmly against the perineum with the gauze edge snug against the pubic bone and the tail tucked between the buttocks. Even a small gap between the wick and the skin can let urine escape before the suction catches it.
After confirming the position looks right, check the suction. Make sure the pump is on and the tubing isn’t kinked, disconnected, or clogged. If the pump seems to be running but nothing is moving through the tubing, the canister may be too full or the connections may not be airtight. Maintaining suction is also important when removing the wick. Keep the pump running while you pull the wick away so residual urine gets drawn into the tubing rather than dripping onto the skin or bedding.
Who Should Not Use It
The PureWick isn’t appropriate for everyone. You should avoid using it if there are any open wounds, lesions, or skin irritation on the genitalia, perineum, or sacrum. Active urinary tract infections, vaginal infections, or genital herpes also rule it out until those conditions are resolved.
Other situations where the PureWick is not a good fit include urinary retention (where the bladder isn’t emptying properly), frequent bowel incontinence without a separate fecal management system in place, and moderate to heavy menstruation unless a tampon or menstrual cup is being used at the same time. For people who are agitated or likely to pull the catheter off, the system won’t stay in place reliably enough to work.
How It Compares to Internal Catheters
One of the biggest advantages of the PureWick is that nothing enters the body. Traditional indwelling (Foley) catheters are inserted into the urethra and bladder, which creates a direct pathway for bacteria and raises the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infections. In one hospital study, switching female ICU patients from indwelling catheters to external catheters like the PureWick reduced catheter-associated UTI rates from 3.14 per 1,000 catheter days to 1.42 per 1,000 catheter days. Indwelling catheter use in those patients also dropped by about 18%.
For home users, this translates to a meaningful reduction in infection risk, less discomfort, and more independence. The tradeoff is that the PureWick only works reliably when the person is lying down or reclining, and it requires more frequent attention than an indwelling catheter since the wick needs replacing every 8 to 12 hours.
Tips for Overnight Use
Most home users rely on the PureWick primarily at night, when incontinence is hardest to manage with pads alone. Place a fresh wick right before bed and confirm the suction is working. Set the collection canister on a stable surface near the bed where it won’t tip. If the person tends to move a lot during sleep, a brief check partway through the night can catch any wick displacement before it causes a leak.
Keep a few extra wicks and a change of bedding nearby for the first few nights while you dial in positioning. Most people find a reliable routine within a week of consistent use.