A Brief Guide on Incontinence Products

For anyone who’s new to the world of incontinence products, here’s a brief guide on what types of disposables and reusables are available on the market:

Product Synonyms Description Best for…

Adult Diapers

Adult briefs, nappy

These briefs are highly absorbent and feature side fasteners (usually four tape tabs) that apply from front to back. Adult diapers are unisex and disposable. Choose from traditional plastic back or breathable clothed back.

Special features include: odor control, moisture wicking, elastic leg cuffs, and wetness indicators.

• Moderate to heavy incontinence; fecal incontinence; adult bedwetting
• Non-ambulatory people (wheelchair, bedridden)
• Changing while standing, sitting or lying down
• People suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, etc.

Protective Underwear

Pull ups, pull ons, disposable underwear, incontinence underwear Many people feel more confident and dignified wearing these since they look and feel like real underwear. Adult pull ups can be pulled up and down, or some can be ripped on the sides for easy changing. The gender specific styles are specially designed to fit the male or female anatomy.

• Light to heavy incontinence
• Ambulatory and active people

Incontinence Pads

Bladder pads, bladder control pads, absorbent pads, pantiliners, liners, guards for men, male guards Thin, lightweight, and discreet, incontinence pads offer the least absorbency. They are worn with the user’s underwear and typically have an adhesive backing. These disposable pads come in unisex, female, and male styles; the gender specific pads contour to the body for the perfect fit.

• Urine dribbling to light incontinence; constant leakage
• Ambulatory and active people
• Exercising; post-partum leaking; after prostate surgery
• Changing while standing, sitting, or lying down

Washable Underwear

Reusable underwear Available in male and female styles, washable underwear offer an economical solution to incontinence. These look like regular underwear and come in various fun designs and colors.

• Light to moderate incontinence
• Ambulatory people

Booster Pads

Doublers Worn with another disposable undergarment, boosters add extra absorbency for more bladder protection. The booster pad will first fill up, and then the diaper or pull up will absorb the rest.

• Travel
• Situations where extra absorbency is needed

Belted Undergarments

N/A Belted undergarments consist of a front-to-back absorbent pad connected with a belted strap using buttons or Velcro. These can be changed without removing pants or shoes.

• Light to moderate incontinence
• Ambulatory people
• Changing while standing or sitting

Underpads – Disposable and Washable

Overlays, bed pads, Chux pads Underpads are placed on top of the mattress, wheelchair seat, or other furniture to protect against incontinence, bedwetting, food stains, etc. Available in disposable and reusable styles, some pads have a sticky backing or tuck-in flaps to keep it in place.

• Protecting bedding, furniture, or wheelchairs
• Adult bedwetting
• Pet accidents
• Travel

Choosing an incontinence product can be overwhelming. You must consider the size, fit, material, comfort, and absorbency level of a brief, pad, or underwear before purchasing. Sample packs offer a great way to test out a few products and see which type is right for your needs.