Management

Urostomy: Emptying Your Pouch

Choose a preferred language

You’ve just had a urostomy. As part of your surgery, a small opening (stoma) was made in your belly (abdomen). Urine and mucus drain from the stoma into a disposable pouch. You’ll need to empty your pouch when it gets to be about one-third full. The pouch is likely to become this full every 2 to 3 hours. Emptying your pouch keeps the pouch from bulging under your clothes. It also helps prevent leakage and odor. You will use a different collection system at night so you will not have to get up to empty the pouch


How to empty your pouch

To empty your pouch, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Empty the pouch.

  • Sit on or stand in front of the toilet. Put a layer of toilet paper in the toilet bowl to keep urine from splashing.

  • Pull your clothes away from the pouch.

  • Hold the pouch drain at the bottom of the bag over the toilet bowl.

  • Open the pouch drain so that urine flows into the toilet.

  • Empty all the urine and mucus from the pouch. While holding the pouch with 1 hand, slide the fingers of your other hand down the pouch. This will help empty any mucus from the pouch.

Woman sitting on toilet emptying urostomy pouch into toilet.

Step 2: Close the pouch drain.

  • Once you’ve emptied the pouch, use a piece of toilet paper to dry the tip of the drain. This will keep any urine or mucus from getting on your clothes.

  • Put the pouch drain in the “closed” position.

  • Wash your hands after emptying the pouch.

Online Medical Reviewer: Rahul Banerjee MD

Online Medical Reviewer: Raymond Turley Jr PA-C

Date Last Reviewed: 05/01/2025

© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
user headset icon

Need Help? We're Here for You

Our Member and Recipient Services Team is here to help you understand your benefits, find care, or resolve concerns.

800-510-9132
quit smoking icon

Call NC Quitline

Need support to quit smoking, vaping, or to quit other nicotine products? You can receive support including medicines free of charge:

800-784-8669
car and bus icon

Schedule Transportation

Need transportation to a doctor's office, pharmacy, or other covered healthcare service? Contact us to arrange your ride.

800-510-9132
Stethoscope icon

Provider Directory

Need to find a provider like a Primary Care Physician, Specialist, OB/GYN, or a Psychiatrist? 

Provider Directory
Related Articles
Read article
Urology
Urostomy: Managing Skin Problems

Taking good care of the skin around the stoma is very important to prevent skin problems after a urostomy. Learn about the most common skin problems and how to manage them.

Read article
Urology
Monitoring Kidney Health

Your healthcare provider will check the health of your kidneys. That way, treatment can be adjusted if your condition changes. If you have other health problems that affect your kidneys, such as diabetes or high blood pressure, they will be checked also.

Read article
Urology
Foley Catheter Removal

Follow the instructions on this sheet to learn how to remove a Foley catheter.

Read article
Urology
Urostomy: Changing Your Pouch

You'll be shown how to change your pouch before you leave the hospital. Plan to change your pouch every few days. And change it early in the morning, when your urine output is less. Read on to learn how to change your pouch.