An external control valve such as for an indwelling urethral catheter allows for selectively controlled urination via manual manipulation. The external valve is actuated by palpation as the patient compresses a proximal portion toward a distal portion of the valve. The valve includes a hollow stem having a bore in the wall thereof that is kept closed through the use of a biasing spring. Once the spring is compressed by the patient, bore is positioned within an opening in the distal portion, allowing urine to flow out of an opening in the proximal end of the valve.