Women’s Bladder Leakage Protection

I’m Relatively Young And Have A Weak Bladder Isn’t This Something That Only Affects Old People

1 out of 4 women over 35 have weak bladders. Pregnancy and childbirth contribute to this figure. Menopausal women often experience incontinence. Even young girls sometimes experience leaking after strenuous exercise. Heavy smokers cough more frequently than non-smokers and this can exacerbate the situation. Too much coffee, tea or alcohol doesn’t help either. So you can see, age is not the only factor.

What Does Incontinent Mean

Incontinent in an adjective used to describe a person who suffers from bowel or bladder control problems. There are a number of possible reasons why a person may have incontinence. Muscle weakness, hormonal imbalances, prostate problems, infections, medications, obesity and medical conditions can all cause incontinence.

Tena Women Protective Underwear

Tena Women Protective Underwear provides a more discreet style of disposable underwear thats designed to look and feel like regular underwear, with a snug, body-close fit for moderate to heavy incontinence. It is made of a soft, cloth-like, cottony material and a soft, narrow comfort waistband that can be easily pulled on and off like regular underwear.

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Adult Diapers And Underwear

You can use adult diapers if you are leaking large amounts of urine. You can buy the kind that you use once and throw away, or ones that you can wash and reuse. They come in different sizes. Wear a size that fits you snugly. Some have elastic around the legs to keep from leaking onto your clothes. Some come with a plastic cover for more protection.

Special, washable underwear are also available. These look more like regular underwear than adult diapers. Some have a waterproof crotch area and room for a pad or liner. Some are made out of a special waterproof fabric that keeps your skin dry. You do not need a pad with these.

Waterproof outer pants made of nylon, vinyl, or rubber are also available. They can be worn over your underwear.

Barrier Devices For Urinary Incontinence

Some devices control the flow of urine.

Women can choose devices that go inside the vagina, like tampons or vaginal sponges. They provide temporary control by putting pressure on the tissues of the bladder. This helps keep urine from escaping and is particularly good for stress incontinence, where exercise, laughing, and sneezing causes urine to leak.

For 24-hour protection, many women find a pessary helpful. This is a plastic device that’s inserted into the vagina. It comes in an array of sizes and shapes. It increases pressure on the urethra muscles and adds support to the pelvic region. These devices are fitted to your pelvis size, so youâll need to visit your doctor. You can remove them for cleaning. They should be replaced each year — and that means another trip to the doctor. Ask your doctor if a pessary is a good option for you. In some cases, they can make urinary incontinence worse.

A vaginal guard is another option. Theyâre disposable devices that come in three sizes. The guard is inserted into the vagina using an applicator. It prevents leaks by adding support to the pelvic structures and muscles.

For men, the primary device is a penile compression clamp. It squeezes the penis to keep the urethra closed for mild to moderate leaks. This can be used only for a certain amount of time.

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I Have Read That Incontinence Can Be Treated With Muscle

Depending on the type of incontinence you have, you may begin to feel the benefit of exercises after just a few weeks, and after 8 to 12 months there is a good chance you will have reduced symptoms or even be symptom-free. Even if you are not symptom-free exercises may improve your situation and, with the right products to help you, you will regain your confidence. The sooner you act, the better! Most people wait so long that it takes the body some time to get back to earlier routines.

How Does The Bladder Work

When you eat or drink your body absorbs liquids. The kidneys filter waste products from the body fluids and make urine. A continuous trickle passes from the kidneys to the bladder and the bladder slowly expands. When the bladder is full a signal goes to the brain indicating the need to go to the toilet. Once the toilet is reached the brain then tells the large bladder muscle to squeeze and contract. At the same time it tells the support muscles that surround the urethra – the outlet from the bladder – to relax and let the urine pass.

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What Causes Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence is not an inevitable result of aging, but it is particularly common in older people. It is often caused by specific changes in body function that may result from diseases, use of medications and/or the onset of an illness. Sometimes it is the first and only symptom of a urinary tract infection. Women are most likely to develop urinary incontinence during pregnancy and after childbirth, or after the hormonal changes of menopause.

Attends Discreet Womens Bladder Control Pads

Attends Discreet Bladder Control Pads are perfect for women looking for a convenient, discreet solution for bladder leakage without the bulk of other incontinence products. Available in absorbency levels from light to heavy and featuring a soft, cloth-like surface and a highly absorbent polymer core, Attends Discreet Bladder Control Pads protect skin and lock away fluid.

Description

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Incontinence Products At Walgreens

Incontinence can be an embarrassing, uncomfortable problem, but it is possible for men and women who suffer from this issue to feel confident and maintain an active lifestyle. Walgreens is here to help with a wide selection of male and female incontinence products, aids and protection solutions available in stores and online.

Where To Buy Incontinence Products

The charity Bladder & Bowel UK gives independent advice on products that can help manage bladder and bowel problems.

For more information on products and how to order them, call its helpline on 0161 214 4591 or visit the Bladder & Bowel UK website.

The Continence Product Advisor gives independent and evidence-based advice on how to choose and use suitable incontinence products.

Page last reviewed: 07 November 2019 Next review due: 07 November 2022

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Pads For Bladder Incontinence

Incontinence pads are probably the most common and well known type of product available. They are easily accessible either through your GP or from a retail store and are usually the first product tried by someone who has an issue with either bladder or bowel control.

There are many different combinations to try depending on your preference from thinner, more discreet pads through to disposable underwear. Incontinence pads are generally suitable for all. Some people can find them uncomfortable once they become soiled, it is important to change your pad as quick as possible after they become soiled to avoid sore, broken and irritated skin.

What Causes Overactive Bladder

There are many possible causes that can trigger overactive bladder symptoms.

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Products For Men And Women

You can wear disposable pads in your underwear. They have a waterproof backing that keeps your clothes from getting wet. Common brands are:

• Attends
• Tranquility
• Many different store brands

Always change your pad or underwear regularly, even if you are dry. Changing often will keep your skin healthy. Set aside time to change 2 to 4 times a day at the same times every day.

Causes Of Urinary Incontinence

Stress incontinence is usually the result of the weakening of or damage to the muscles used to prevent urination, such as the pelvic floor muscles and the urethral sphincter.

Urge incontinence is usually the result of overactivity of the detrusor muscles, which control the bladder.

Overflow incontinence is often caused by an obstruction or blockage in your bladder, which prevents it from emptying fully.

Total incontinence may be caused by a problem with the bladder from birth, a spinal injury, or a small, tunnel like hole that can form between the bladder and a nearby area .

Certain things can increase the chances of urinary incontinence, including:

• pregnancy and vaginal birth

Find out more about the causes of urinary incontinence.

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Incontinence Guards For Men

There are also products that you can fit inside your reusable underwear. For men, these are bladder leak guards. Guards are cup-shaped and conform to the male anatomy comfortably and seamlessly. You can attach them to your underwear with their adhesive strip on the bottom.

They are mostly used for leakage protection, but depending on the level of absorbance, many protect against bigger voids of urine as well.

Solutions For People With Limited Mobility

People with limited mobility may be unable to make it to the bathroom in time to urinate or move their bowels. Fortunately, you can make it easier for a loved one with mobility issues to answer nature’s call and prevent accidents.

• Bedpans, urinals and portable toilets allow men and women to relieve themselves without having to travel to the bathroom. These products can then be emptied, cleaned and reused.
• At night, you can protect the bed from leaks with disposable and reusable liners, pads and covers.

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What Type Of Protection Is Right For You

Look for the absorbency information on the label to make sure the protection fits your needs.

Light

When small drips occur after a laugh, cough or jump, look for light protection. Liners and light pads offer better protection for lighter leaks.

Moderate

If leakage is more stream-like, try moderate absorbency. Moderate pads and incontinence underwear provide ideal protection for moderate streams.

Heavy or overnight

Maximum absorbency products help with full bladder leaks and surges, or overnight protection. The most absorbent pads or incontinence underwear are ideal.

Choosing Your Product Style

Pads and liners come in a variety of shapes and sizes. That makes it easier to find the right fit for your body shape and lifestyle.

Liners are generally wider and longer than pads and offer better “front-to-back” protection. Pads are usually curved. They’re disposable and designed for women and men. Adhesive strips hold them inside your underwear. They trap 8 or more ounces of urine and keep it away from your skin. They also block odor and can be changed throughout the day. Many contain elastic on the sides to cradle your body and help keep leaks from rolling over the edge.

There’s also a range of disposable undergarments with built-in protection — not just in the crotch, but throughout the entire garment. Styles range from pull-ons with elasticized legs and waists resembling a traditional cloth panty to underwear that slips on with Velcro or adhesive tabs for a customized fit. You can also find open-sided “thong style” panties held together by straps in the front and back that rest on top of the hip bone. They are reusable, washable, and typically available in a range of colors. You can get day styles as well as overnight ones, which are designed to hold more urine. Like pads, this underwear is designed to be absorbent, to keep moisture from your skin, and to control odor.

Condom catheters fit around the penis. They end in a tube that leads to a collection bag strapped to your body.

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Always Discreet Helps Make Bladder Leaks Feel Like No Big Deal

Bladder sensitivity is a widespread issue among women, but many who suffer from it are too embarrassed to discuss it with their doctor. While 1 in 3 women has a sensitive bladder or incontinence, only 1 in 9 uses incontinence products. And many use menstrual pads, which are not designed to manage bladder leaks.

As the global leader in feminine protection that has cared for changing feminine care needs for more than 30 years, the Always brand is extending its trusted name into the incontinence aisle with its launch of New Always Discreet.

The product of extensive consumer research and testing, Always Discreet is designed with womenâs needs in mindâgiving them incredible protection, odor control, comfort and discretion.

âAlways, as a brand, is about every stage of a womanâs life, and new Always Discreet will allow women to continue living their lives fully, even when managing a sensitive bladder. We have the best technology portfolio of any company, and we will once again deliver this through the launch of Always Discreet,â said Steve Bishop, Group President Global Feminine Care and Family Care. âWith new Always Discreet, women will no longer have to choose between comfort OR protection they will have both comfort AND protectionâallowing them to continue pursuing all their favorite activities with confidence.â

*based on average US consumer usage

When Should I See A Doctor About Incontinence

Its important to know that incontinence can be treated. Many people believe that its something that just goes along with aging and is an unavoidable issue. If you find that incontinence is disturbing your daily activities and causing you to miss out on things you typically enjoy, talk to your healthcare provider. There are a wide range of options to treat incontinence.

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What Is The Treatment For Urinary Incontinence

Specific treatment for urinary incontinence will be determined by your doctor based on:

• Your age, overall health and medical history

• Type of incontinence and extent of the disease

• Your tolerance for specific medications, procedures or therapies

• Expectations for the course of the disease

• Your opinion or preference

Treatment may include:

• Behavioral therapies:

• Bladder training: Teaches people to resist the urge to void and gradually expand the intervals between voiding.

• Toileting assistance: Uses routine or scheduled toileting, habit training schedules and prompted voiding to empty the bladder regularly to prevent leaking.

Consult your doctor with questions regarding the management and treatment of urinary incontinence.

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Disposable Pads And Pants

Disposable pads and pants are the most convenient, easy-to-use and more discreet type of incontinence pad, although not the most cost effective and environmentally-friendly. The pads come in different absorbances to contain from light to heavy leakage/soiling. Disposable pants have improved considerably in recent years and are designed to look like normal underwear but contain an absorbent pad in the crotch area.

For women they come in a variety of designs including

• Disposable Liners these are better suited for those who have light to moderate bladder leakage. They can slip during strenuous activity so an alternative may be best considered during exercise. Some women use sanitary towels and these are generally cheaper than pads designed specifically for urinary incontinence. Sanitary towels havent been designed to hold the same volumes of urine and may cause irritation and allow seepage and odour to develop
• Disposable Pants are designed to look like everyday underwear but with an absorbent pad suitable for moderate to heavy bladder leakage
• Disposable All-In-Ones these are a unisex product designed to contain heavy bladder leakage. They are also more suited to those who suffer from bladder and bowel incontinence
• Disposable T-Shape pads these are similar to All-in-ones and are used to contain moderate to heavy bladder and bowel leakage. They are supposed to be easier to put on standing up and use a belt attachment

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Using Tampons For Stress Incontinence

Placing a tampon in your vagina puts pressure on the neck of your bladder to stop leaks on exertion. However, do not regularly use super-size tampons to prevent sudden leaks if you have stress incontinence.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence does not recommend using tampons for the routine management of urinary incontinence in women.

However, tampons can be used occasionally, when necessary, to prevent leaks. For example, during exercise.

Special Products For Women

Women can try different products, depending on the cause for their urine leakage. External devices include:

• Foam pads that are very small and fit between your labia. You take the pad out when you need to urinate, and then put a new one in. Common brands are Miniguard, UroMed, Impress, and Softpatch.
• A urethra cap is a silicone cap, or shield that fits in place over your urinary opening. It can be washed and used again. Common brands are CapSure and FemAssist.

Internal devices to prevent urine leakage include:

• A single-use plastic shaft that can be inserted into your urethra and has a balloon on one end and a tab on the other. It is only for single, short-term use and needs to be removed to urinate. Common brands are Reliance and FemSoft.
• A pessary is a round latex or silicone disk that is inserted into your vagina to provide bladder support. It needs to be removed and washed on a regular basis. It must be fitted and prescribed by your primary care provider.

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