How to Manage Incontinence Symptoms - Pads

Incontinence is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide, regardless of age or gender. 

Incontinence is defined as the inability to control bladder or bowel movements, leading to involuntary leaks of wee or poo. 

There are many risk factors for incontinence, many of which are preventable and treatable (if you’d like to know more, check out this blog post). 

Incontinence is incredibly common (up to 70% of women will suffer some form of incontinence in their lifetime) but it is not normal and this means that there are lots of interventions to prevent and treat incontinence, from lifestyle tweaks all the way up to surgical options. 

That being said, incontinence can be complex, which means it can take a while to find the solutions that will work for your unique body and your unique circumstances. 

If you’re experiencing incontinence symptoms, we recommend you visit your GP or a Women’s Health Physiotherapist who can assess you and advise you on a personalised treatment plan. 

While you’re exploring your options, you’re going to need to manage your symptoms and that means you need a way to stop leaks interrupting your day and getting in the way of your activities. 

At Sheela.ie, we’re on a mission to show you what your options are to prevent, manage and treat pelvic floor issues no matter your age and this week, that means exploring the glamorous world of incontinence pads. 

Incontinence pads are absorbent products that can be worn inside regular underwear or specialised incontinence pants.

They are very similar to pads designed to absorb period blood but they can absorb much more liquid. The average loss of blood during a period is 2-3 tablespoons (30-45g) over 7 days (what a lot of mess for not very much blood).

Incontinence pads are designed to capture and retain wee or poo, prevent your clothing from getting wee or poo on it and maintain hygiene. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and absorbancy, so in theory, you should be able to find one that fits comfortably and provides adequate protection. In practise, it can take some trial and error to find what works best for you.

One way to narrow down your options is to figure out where you are on the incontinence scale. 

The average range for ‘mild’ incontinence is 1.3g to 20g, ‘moderate’ is 21g-74g and ‘severe’ is more than 75g in 24 hours . 

If you want to know where you fall on the scale you can try the following:

1. Select a brand of incontinence pad you will use for this purpose and weigh a dry pad
2. Use pads throughout the day to absorb leaks
3. Weigh all the wet pads
4. Apply the following formula:

weight of all wet pads - (no. of dry pads x weight of 1 dry pad) = g of urine leaked in one day

 There are several factors to consider when selecting a pad, such as the level of absorbency needed, the size and shape of the pad, the type of incontinence being experienced and the material the pad is made from. 

It's also important to change the pad frequently to maintain hygiene and prevent skin irritation. Tena, one of the leading brands of incontinence pads, recommends you change your pad 3-5 times per day. 

You also need to take breaks from pad wearing (especially plastic based pads) to allow the sensitive skin of your vulva to breathe.

Keep an eye on your accident patterns and see if you can notice any times when you’re more or less likely to leak. You can then adjust your pad wearing accordingly. For example, if you leak when you exercise, you might choose something more absorbent like a plastic based pad during that activity. If you dribble from time to time, something like a cotton based liner might be more appropriate. If you need help figuring out your patterns, download our FREE Symptom Tracker here.

You are unique and you are best placed to figure out what works for you so don’t be afraid to experiment with different solutions and adjust when necessary. 

You can find single use incontinence pads in most supermarkets and pharmacies - there are big brands like Always and Tena and also own brand pads in supermarkets like Lidl and Tesco, and big pharmacies like Boots. More eco friendly brands are available from health food shops and reusable pads are available direct from specialist suppliers, like Cheeky.

If you're new to using incontinence pads, it may take some time to find the right product and get comfortable with using them. You can always ask your pharmacist for guidance and support.

Bear in mind that a big brand doesn’t necessarily mean better or right for you so don’t be afraid to try a few different options. 

Most of the bigger brand single use pads contain synthetic plastic materials to increase absorbency.

These plastics contain chemicals (VOCs and phthalates) that can cause damage to the liver, kidneys and nervous system. They may also be carcinogenic.

The skin of the vulva is more absorbent than skin elsewhere in the body so it’s not advisable to use these pads continuously as a long term solution. 

Organic cotton or bamboo pads like those made by Natracare and Naty are better for your skin and limit your exposure to chemicals. They are available directly from manufacturers or from health food shops. Compared to plastic based pads, these may be bulkier and more expensive. 

Reusable incontinence pads have a breathable cotton layer and a waterproof layer. They are a healthy alternative to plastic based pads and once you get in the rhythm of washing them, they are a great tool to help manage mild to moderate leaks. Cheeky offer a sizing service and a 90 day money back guarantee so you can see if they work for you, risk free.

Cheeky have sent us some of their reusable incontinence products to try so keep an eye out for our honest reviews in the next few weeks.   

The best way to deal with incontinence symptoms is to look for ways to solve them.

Explore our library for lifestyle tweaks you can try from the comfort of your own home that will have a big impact on your pelvic floor health like learning to poo properly or using your breath to relax your pelvic floor muscles or download our FREE guide. Make an appointment with a health professional who can give you a personalised assessment and tailor a treatment plan to your unique needs. 

Remember: fixing your pelvic floor issues will most likely take a combination of different interventions. 

Pads are a great option for managing your incontinence symptoms while you work on those solutions. 

  Keep your eyes peeled for our next instalment in our managing symptoms series where we’ll be looking at incontinence pants. 

For more accessible, practical content like this, follow us on Instagram (@sheela.ie) and YouTube (@sheelawomen). 

Lastly, if there is a woman out there you think might need to hear any of this, please share. Pelvic floor issues are incredibly common but not normal and that means there are ways to prevent, manage and treat pelvic floor issues at any age.