Male vs Female Urinals: How to Choose and Use One in Bed

The Short Answer

A urinal is a handheld container for passing urine when getting to the bathroom is hard: after surgery, during an illness, at night, or for someone who is bedbound. Male urinals have a narrow, angled neck and are the simpler of the two to use lying down. Female urinals have a wider, flatter opening that has to sit snugly against the body, so positioning matters more. Both come with handles for hanging on a bed rail, and many male urinals have lids to cut down on spills.

If the person can't use a urinal, or needs to have a bowel movement in bed, a bedpan is the usual alternative. Unity doesn't currently carry bedpans, but we cover when one makes more sense below.

Male Urinals: What to Look For

Most hospital-style male urinals look alike: a clear or translucent plastic bottle, about 1,000 mL (32 oz), with a handle and an angled neck. The differences that matter at home are small but practical.

• Lid or no lid. A splash-proof lid keeps the urinal from spilling when it's set down or carried to the toilet. Unlidded urinals are a little quicker to use and to rinse.
• Handle. A handle that hooks over a bed rail keeps the urinal within reach so the person doesn't have to call for help each time.
• Stable storage. Medline's urinals are designed to rest on their side between uses so they don't tip over.
• Measurement marks. Graduations in ounces and milliliters let you record how much was passed if a nurse or doctor has asked you to track it.
• Night use. A lid that glows in the dark is easier to find without switching on a light.

Unity carries three Medline male urinals, all 1,000 mL. All of them are in our Urinals & Toileting category:

• Medline Male Urinal with Lid, Translucent: splash-proof lid, angled neck, ounce and mL markings. Individually boxed, 6 per case.
• Medline Deluxe Male Urinal with Glow-in-the-Dark Lid: the same design with a lid you can find in a dark room. 48 per case.
• Medline Supreme Male Urinal, with or without Lid: choose lidded or unlidded by the case of 48, or buy the lidded version singly.

Female Urinals: Bedside Designs vs Travel Funnels

Search for "female urinal" and you'll find two very different products under the same name:

• Bedside female urinals are rigid containers with a wide, rounded opening and a handle. They're made for someone who is in bed, in a chair or on a commode and can't get to the toilet.
• Female urination devices (travel funnels) are small, often foldable funnels used standing up, for camping, travel or dirty public restrooms. They don't hold urine; they direct it.

If you're caring for someone at home, the bedside type is the one you want. The Medline Premium Female Urinal is this kind: clear plastic, a wider and smoother rim than a basic urinal for comfort in bed or on a chair, a sturdy handle, and molded markings from 100 mL to 1,000 mL. You can buy one at a time, or a case of 36 for care homes, clinics or families who prefer to replace rather than reuse.

With any female urinal, positioning is what makes the difference. The opening needs to sit against the body so urine flows into it, and the person may need help parting their legs and holding the urinal in place. A protective pad underneath catches any leaks while you both get used to it.

Unity's Urinals Compared

Urinal	For	Capacity	Lid	Best for	Pack
Medline Male Urinal with Lid, Translucent	Men	1,000 mL (32 oz)	Splash-proof	Everyday bedside use with fewer spills	6/case, individually boxed
Medline Deluxe Male Urinal, Glow-in-the-Dark Lid	Men	1,000 mL (32 oz)	Splash-proof, glows in the dark	Night-time use without turning on a light	48/case
Medline Supreme Male Urinal	Men	1,000 mL (32 oz)	With or without	Buying one at a time, or facilities choosing lidded or open	1 each (lidded) or 48/case
Medline Premium Female Urinal	Women	1,000 mL (marked from 100 mL)	None	Use in bed or on a chair	1 each or 36/case

Pack sizes and options are from the product listings at the time of writing; check the listing for current options and pricing. See the whole range in Urinals & Toileting.

What About Bedpans?

A bedpan slides under someone who is lying or sitting in bed and collects urine or stool. A urinal collects urine only. According to ColumbiaDoctors' caregiving guide, a bedpan is the option when the person can't leave the bed, and some people find a bedpan easier to use than a urinal.

In practice:

• A urinal is usually enough when the person only needs to pass urine and can roll slightly, sit up or bend their knees.
• A bedpan is needed for bowel movements in bed, or when a urinal can't be positioned well.
• A bedside commode suits people who can get out of bed with help but can't safely walk to the bathroom.

Unity doesn't currently sell bedpans or commodes. We do carry specimen collector pans that sit in a standard commode or toilet to collect a urine or stool sample when a doctor asks for one, but they aren't a substitute for a bedpan.

How to Choose, Use and Clean a Urinal

Choosing

• Match the urinal to the person's anatomy: a male urinal for men, a bedside female urinal for women.
• Pick a lidded male urinal if it will sit by the bed between uses or be carried to the bathroom.
• Choose a glow-in-the-dark lid if most use happens at night.
• Make sure it has clear volume markings if a care team has asked you to record output.
• Buy by the case if you're supplying a facility or prefer to replace urinals regularly. For one or two at home, the Premium female urinal and the lidded Supreme male urinal are sold singly.

Helping someone use a urinal in bed

These steps follow the patient guidance from Kaiser Permanente and ColumbiaDoctors:

1. Gather the urinal, disposable gloves, toilet paper or wet wipes, and a pad to protect the bed. Have a stable place ready to set the urinal down.
2. Wash and dry your hands, then put on gloves.
3. Help the person lower or unzip their pants if needed.
4. Ask them to position the urinal so urine flows into it. If they need help, help them spread their legs and hold the urinal in place.
5. Cover them with a sheet or blanket for privacy. If it's safe, step out of the room.
6. When they're done, remove the urinal carefully and set it where it can't be knocked over.
7. Help with wiping if needed. For women, wipe from front to back. If you use a wet wipe or washcloth, dry the skin afterward.

Staying calm and matter-of-fact helps. Both sources note that the person is likely to feel more comfortable if you don't seem embarrassed.

Emptying and cleaning

1. If you've been asked to track output, read the volume from the markings and write it down with the time before emptying.
2. Empty the urinal into the toilet.
3. Rinse it, then wash it with a disinfectant diluted in water.
4. Dry it or let it air-dry.
5. Remove your gloves, put them in a plastic bag for the trash, and wash your hands with soap and water.

For wiping and skin care after use, see our guide to adult wipes for incontinence care. Keep a box of disposable exam gloves by the bed so they're on hand every time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main types of urinals?

For personal and bedside use there are three: male urinals (a bottle with an angled neck), bedside female urinals (a container with a wide opening shaped to sit against the body), and female urination devices (funnels used standing up, mostly for travel). Bedpans are a separate item that collect both urine and stool.

How do you use a female urinal in bed?

Put a protective pad under the person, help them part their legs, and position the urinal's opening against the body so urine flows into it. Hold it in place if they need support. When they're finished, remove it carefully and set it somewhere it won't tip. The full steps are in the section above.

Which female urinal is best for someone who is bedridden?

Look for a rigid bedside design rather than a travel funnel: a wide, smooth rim for comfort, a handle you can grip while positioning and emptying it, and clear volume markings if you need to track output. The Medline Premium Female Urinal is built this way.

Do male urinals come in different sizes?

All three of Unity's male urinals hold 1,000 mL (32 oz). They differ in lid style, not capacity: a translucent splash-proof lid, a glow-in-the-dark lid, or your choice of lidded or open.

How do you clean a reusable urinal?

Empty it into the toilet, rinse it, wash it with a disinfectant diluted in water, and let it dry. Wear gloves and wash your hands afterward.

Is a urinal or a bedpan better?

A urinal is simpler when the person only needs to pass urine. A bedpan is needed for bowel movements in bed or when a urinal can't be positioned well. Ask the person's nurse or doctor if you're unsure which suits their mobility.

Unity carries Medline male and female urinals for home and facility care, with free shipping on orders over $50. Shop Urinals & Toileting.