Susan,
Here is text from a post I did a while back (close to a year, it looks like) on pads - it might help.
Hope the catheter leaves your husband "dry" -
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Tena pads in general - I still use the "Long Heavy Pads" (42/pack - gender neutral label, 4 of 5 absorbency indicated) at night. I've done fairly well at night, so may be jinxing it all by saying that, but I'm more concerned of having to strip the bed and wash the sheets daily than I am the per pad cost (having had a very few nights like that)- these were 10.99 USD for 42 with a coupon downloaded from their web site, if the math needs to be done. Now I don't need them as much, but they are mine, so I'll use them. "Wasted" is relative when you have to do flights of stairs to get to the laundry one week after surgery.
The Tena Male Guards are clearly packaged with the name "Male Guards", as are the others I mention in the next paragraph. They (the Tena) are what I hope to be able to get by with some day. They are thin, work well with your clothing, but are understandably not the most absorbent.
(Update 2/26/10 - The Tena packaging has changed. Packages from last year ('09) were labeled "Tena Male Guards". Packs I have gotten this month (02/10) carry the labels "Tena Men" and "Protective Guards Moderate").
Again, price aside (look for sales and coupons/samples on Depends, Coloplast, and Tena websites).
Walgreens Certainty / aka Target Affirm / aka Kroger's Male Guards are the most absorbent, but bulky. They do not begin to fit in my pre-surgery jeans, but are the economical choice for around the house in sweats.
Depends Male Guards are less absorbent, less bulky, and using them, I can actually use my pre-surgery jeans. I just have to change more often.
Tena Male Guards are about on par with Depends, but much thinner, so they are less noticeable. They are also the more expensive of the group. Look on their web site for stores that carry them.
Coloplast makes some that are really light, but more for drips than real leakage. Maybe someday ....
(Update 2/26/10 - The Coloplast "drip collector" products come in two sizes, Normal, 80 ml absorption, #5410; Extra, 100 ml, #5420. You can also get samples from them. They seem to be available from more serious home care supply stores rather than chain Rx.)
You may need pads even with the catheter - I had bladder spasms, with brutal leakage, and used whatever pad the ladies had to offer until I made it to the store. Then I used the "adjustable" pants that split on the side for a few days. For night, pick something absorbent if you need it, gender on the label is not relevant. None of them are comfortable. Just some less than others.
Once you "lose" the catheter, and want to get out in public, use the criteria above based on fit and leakage or lack there of.
I am +13 weeks, and use Walgreens or Depends male guards in a Depend male pant. I still leak like day one, but being the representative of the worst 2% on the board, you must certainly do better, and I wish dry nights and days for you.
Don't worry too much about it - send off for the samples, they will be waiting for you at home. (Depends and Tena will send a sample). You should be like the guy who had his cath out before me - the nurse said he got home dry and has not used a pad since.
By the way, if you buy at Walgreens, and you really don't like what you got, they take back an opened pack if you've just used one or two and have the receipt. I did. I wouldn't say much for the impact on your self-esteem to take back diapers, but I gave it a shot. Next partial pack will go to a local charity instead. My local prostate cancer group said there was no problem finding a home for any of my unused extra supplies. There are survivors who are much worse off than any of us who have a computer.
And lastly, a pad is a pad when you need a pad. All the fancy ladies editions are for form and thickness. Except for those that are narrow and have "wings", they work if they are what you have. Tell that girl in the Tena commercial you're wearing her pad. Or not.
Again, Dry wishes for you.<!-- Edit -->