Incontinence products are designed to protect a user's clothing as well as linens and furniture from accidents due to urinary or fecal incontinence. Included in this category are products like adult diapers, washable or disposable protective underwear, absorbent panty liners, and waterproof sheets and furniture coverings.
Incontinence is a problem that affects more people than you might think; an estimated 13 million Americans live with incontinence today with the most common sufferers being elderly women, although it affects people of all demographics. Incontinence comes in many forms and there is a vast industry of products designed just to help people living with it to go about their daily lives free from fear of embarrassing accidents.
Incontinence comes in many forms with many products that accommodate the unique challenges and needs that come with each one. Both urinary and fecal incontinence occur for a variety of reasons with a range of severity that informs the patient’s need for assistance and levels of absorption. Most incontinence products are designed with a certain capacity of liquid absorption in mind, and may be designed for either urinary or fecal incontinence or both depending.
How to Choose an Incontinence Product
Incontinence products come in many styles, shapes, sizes, and designs, offering a range of protection for a variety of user needs as well as convenient solutions to help you stop incontinence by strengthening muscles. Because of the breadth of product offerings available, customers may find it daunting to try and determine the best product to suit their needs.
Types of incontinence products:
Disposable Incontinence Underwear
Disposable incontinence underwear is the traditional diaper-style protective underwear that most people think of when they think of incontinence management and protection. These underwear are designed in both pull-up and winged configurations to accommodate users of all mobility levels who can change themselves or need to be changed by a caregiver. The disposable construction helps reduce laundering costs and are often more absorbent than washable styles, accommodating both urinary and fecal incontinence as well.
Washable Incontinence Underwear
Washable incontinence underwear is comfortable, fabric underwear that looks and feels like traditional underwear but is designed specifically to accommodate the unique needs of users who struggle with incontinence. Confitex is changing the game with their ultra-breathable bamboo underwear that features absorbent cores for light to moderate urinary incontinence. They provide attractive, comfortable designs for both men and women, plus sexier lace options to help women feel more confident.
Incontinence panty liners are disposable pads designed to stick to the inside of underwear and absorb any urinary leakage. Typically thin and lightweight, these liners are best for users who have only a small amount of output during urinary accidents.
Incontinence pads are like panty liners, but typically include a greater capacity of absorption. They function more like menstrual pads with absorbent cores, but feature a unique design specially formatted to catch leakage from urinary incontinence.
Incontinence treatment products are those designed to help people reduce their incontinence on their own. Innovative products like the Elvie Kegel Pelvic Floor Exercise Trainer Kit help women to reduce stress incontinence by strengthening their pelvic muscles. If you struggle with nightime incontinence and bedwetting, products like the Nytone Bedwetting Nocturnal Enuresis Alarm can provide an easy alert to retrain people to get up to go to the bathroom in the night.
Disposable incontinence underpads help to reduce laundering costs by absorbing leakage from incontinence either in a bed or on a chair Instead of having to wash cushions and linens when accidents happen, just peel the underpad off and throw it away.
Washable incontinence underpads provide a comfortable, fabric base that still functions to protect cushions, mattresses, and linens from accidental incontinence leaks. These pads often include a waterproof barrier to protect surrounding furniture and linens from leakage, trapping fluids inside the pad. And, when leaks happen, simply remove the pad and wash.
Disposable Cleaning Washcloths and Wipes
Disposable washcloths and wipes are designed to provide a fresh and clean feeling without having to bathe or shower. Ideal for incontinence care, wiping and cleaning the skin to help reduce rashes, breakouts, and excess moisture, these wipes also reduce odor and ensure cleanliness despite incontinence.
Factors and Features to Consider
The first step in determining an appropriate incontinence product is to consider a variety of factors and features:
What type of incontinence?
Urinary and fecal incontinence each require a unique set of design features in a protection product. If you live with one or both types of incontinence, make sure you select a product designed to address your specific concerns.
Level of Absorption
Incontinence products are typically designed to accommodate a specific level of absorption from low to high. Depending on the severity of your incontinence, you may want to consider certain products over others.
Coverage
The amount and type of coverage needed is another important thing to consider when choosing incontinence protection. Is the incontinence you’re dealing with only small amounts of urine occasionally? In this case, you can probably get away with choosing incontinence liners for your underwear. If the incontinence is larger amounts of urine or includes fecal incontinence as well, you may want more coverage that extends not only to your clothing but to linens and furniture as well.
Mobility Level
Depending on your level of mobility, you may prefer certain product styles. For instance, if you have full mobility and are able to easily pull your underwear on and off unassisted, then products that function just like regular underwear might be a good option. However, if this is not the case and you have some trouble performing these movements, then briefs or belted undergarments that can be applied and removed with little movement might be a better solution.
Look and Feel
Personal preference may also help inform your decision in choosing an incontinence product. Depending on how certain styles and brands feel to you, you may end up needing to try several styles before ultimately finding the one you like the best. For instance, certain types of adult briefs are thinner and more like standard underwear but don’t offer as much absorbency as bulkier diaper-style briefs.
Sex & Gender
While some incontinence products are equally effective for use by anyone, some are specifically designed to accommodate uniquely male or female bodies with different shapes that better support each user’s needs. Consider how clothing and underwear fit your body when choosing incontinence protection and what styles feel more comfortable for you, as these garments will most likely be similarly cut and styled.
Category FAQs
When should I talk to my doctor about incontinence?
As soon as you notice issues with continence you should talk to your doctor. Although stress incontinence is fairly common as people age or as a part of pregnancy and various surgeries, it’s important to keep your doctor informed as incontinence can be a sign of a bigger issue depending on the rest of your symptoms and your medical history.
What are the other symptoms of incontinence?
Urgency - Noticing a stronger urge to urinate than normal
Frequency - Urinating more often than usual
Nocturia - Waking up frequently with the urge to urinate
Dysuria - Painful or uncomfortable urination
Nocturnal enuresis - Leaking urine during sleep
What is the difference between an incontinence panty liner and a menstrual panty liner?
Menstrual panty liners are designed specifically to absorb small amounts of menstrual blood and vaginal discharge rather than urine. Because of this, the absorption is focused more on catching and containing thicker fluids in small amounts. Additionally, menstrual liners are specifically designed to fit the body of someone with a vagina, and to address discharge from it rather than from the urethra, higher up on the body.
Incontinence liners are specifically designed to absorb urine and keep it off of your clothes, while also reducing any associated odor. Incontinence liners are better equipped to deal with the consistency and unique needs of urinary incontinence than the standard feminine liner, featuring a unique shape and design that address the urethra.
How do I know what level of absorption I need?
Most incontinence protection products offer absorption levels similar to menstrual products in light, moderate, and heavy. If you are unsure of which level you need or feel like your needs straddle the line between two levels, it’s better to aim higher and select a product with more absorption than you need rather than choose a product with less and find out you need more. You can always decrease the absorption level later, but not having enough can end in some embarrassing accidents.
