For those who need absorbent protection, but are just starting to evaluate their options, I thought I would share some suggestions on finding the right product. I can’t claim any special expertise, but I’ve tested options for a long time now.

1.  Stop being embarrassed. This is easier said than done initially, but you may ultimately

     spend a lot of time purchasing products in stores and online. The sooner the

     embarrassment ebbs, the better off you will be.

2.  For light or occasional incontinence, try pads or absorbent underwear. The best

     Poise or Tena pads, widely available in stores, have pretty good absorbency. The main

     drawback is that they are pretty narrow. This may make them feel discreet, but it

     increases the risk of an embarrassing leak. The Depend or Tena underwear have a

     wider area of coverage, which make them a good option for light incontinence.

3.  For moderate to heavy incontinence, you probably need the protection provided by

     adult diapers. Thankfully, there are diapers available that can handle any level of

     incontinence. Start with Depend, since they are available in stores and have decent

     absorbency for the cost. Then branch out and try some of the diapers available online. 

4.  For heavy incontinence, you will probably need the more absorbent diapers sold

     by online stores. Some of the options, such as the Abena X Plus, are thicker

     and very absorbent. The chief advantage is impressive capacity, but not

     everyone is comfortable with the extra bulk (though, I assure you, people won’t notice

     under most clothing). Others, such as Attends Extended Wear, have moderate

     thickness and absorbency. They may feel more discreet, but won’t last as many hours.

     Although it will take a while, I recommend that you allow some testing time and find

     the best option(s) for you.

5.  Regardless of where you fall on the incontinence scale, there isn’t one single option

     that is ideal for you at all times. Different types of pads or diapers might be better

     given different places, time of day, activities, etc. I personally have a rotation with

     different options during the first half of the day, late afternoon/evening, and then

     overnight. 

If you are interested in reviews of specific adult diapers, please see my new blog at   http://incontinencebloganddiaperreviews.blogspot.com/  Thus far, I’ve posted reviews of Abena X Plus, Attends Extended Wear, Wellness, and Depend. The comments are open, so I hope others will chime in with their comments on these products. I hope to review several more brands in the coming days.