Table of Contents
Urinary Incontinence Products
Many products are available to help patients avoid embarrassment and prevent leakage.
Absorbent Pads and Protective Undergarments
A variety of absorbent pads and undergarments are quite effective in catching spills and leaks. Newer types of pads are thin enough to be worn undetected, and a spare can be hidden in a purse or pocket. Many undergarments developed for incontinence are almost indistinguishable from regular briefs and underpants.
For men, drip collectors are available which can be worn under briefs and are not noticeable under normal clothing. Lined with absorbent material, the pouch-like collector surrounds the penis or scrotum and is fastened with a belt or pins.
All absorbent undergarments should be changed when wet to limit problems of chafing or infection.
External Devices
Self-Adhesive Foam Pads. Foam pads with an adhesive coating are available for women with stress incontinence. They work as follows:
- The pad is placed over the opening of the urethra where it creates a seal, preventing leakage.
- It is removed before urinating and replaced with a new one afterwards.
- The pad can be worn up to 5 hours a day and through the night.
- It can be used during physical activity, although it may change position during vigorous exercise.
- It should not be worn during sexual intercourse.
Review Date: 07/26/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital.
Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M.,
Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
