Incontinence products are NOT a TREATMENT for incontinence. For some individuals, urinary incontinence products are a temporary strategy until they address and resolve the underlying cause of their incontinence. Most people find the use of pads, diapers and bladder supports to be extremely inconvenient, expensive and impacts their quality of life.
Absorbent Products
According to WebMD, absorbent products, such as adult diapers, plastic-coated underwear, pads or panty liners that attach to underwear can be used if:
- Your incontinence is not a significant disruption in your life
- You are waiting for another treatment for incontinence to take effect
- Your incontinence cannot be treated by other means
- You prefer to use absorbent products rather than medicines or surgery
Absorbent products are an effective way to relieve the embarrassment and discomfort of urine leakage.
Risks when using absorbent products include irritation around the groin area, a recent study showed pad use was associated with an increased risk of urinary tract infections.
Product Options Include:
- Depend Adult Underwear
- Tena Serenity
- Poise Pads
- Always Discreet
Catheters
A catheter is a flexible tube placed in your bladder. Your doctor may recommend inserting a catheter into the urethra to drain your bladder multiple times a day if your incontinence is due to the bladder not properly emptying, such as with overflow incontinence.
The Urology Care Foundation mentions the following catheter and device options can help men and women of all ages to manage bladder problems:
- Indwelling catheters: This catheter stays in your bladder all day and night. There are two types – Indwelling “Foley” catheters are placed in your urethra. “Suprapublic” catheters go above your pubic bone through a small surgical cut in the belly. With both types, a balloon holds the tube in your bladder. They also drain urine into a bag outside the body.
- Intermittent catheterization: Also called “in and out” catheterization, it is inserted in the urethra three to five times a day. After your bladder empties, you throw the catheter away.
Risks of using catheters include infection or possible leakage during use.