Incontinence Products for Women

Incontinence refers to the accidental leakage of urine from the bladder. It's a common problem, affecting approximately 50% of adult women. When urine comes into contact with the delicate skin of the genital area, it can cause uncomfortable rashes and skin infections. Urine may also leak through a woman's clothing, causing significant embarrassment. Incontinence products for women prevent leakage and keep the skin as clean as possible.

Types of Incontinence

Stress Incontinence

Stress incontinence occurs when abdominal pressure increases, causing a small amount of urine to leak out of the bladder. This type of incontinence usually occurs when a woman laughs, coughs, or engages in other activities that cause the abdominal muscles to press down on the bladder and push urine into the urethra. Stress incontinence is more common in older women, as aging causes the muscles in the pelvic area to get weaker, making it more difficult to control the release of urine.

Urge Incontinence

Urination is a complex process involving the urinary tract and the nervous system. When these systems don't work as well as they should, some women develop urge incontinence, which causes a strong, sudden need to urinate. The urge is so strong that it's difficult to control the release of urine, leading to leakage. Women with urge incontinence may have urinary tract infections, bladder stones, bladder cancer or other problems with the urinary tract. Because urination involves the nervous system, multiple sclerosis, stroke, nerve injuries, and other neurological problems may also cause urge incontinence.

Mixed Incontinence

Some women have symptoms of both stress incontinence and urge incontinence, which is known as mixed incontinence. Because each type of incontinence has different causes, it's important for women with this condition to receive well-coordinated care from an experienced team of health care professionals.

What Is the Most Absorbent Incontinence Product?

Many incontinence products are designed to absorb urine, preventing it from leaking onto a woman's clothes or reaching the furniture underneath. All of these products are effective, but protective underwear is one of the most absorbent incontinence products for women. Each product goes through rigorous testing to ensure it's effective, reducing the stress associated with having urinary incontinence. Nexwear's protective underwear also comes with a custom anti-leak barrier for extra protection.

What Can Be Done for Female Urinary Incontinence?

Behavioral Changes

One of the simplest ways to address incontinence is with behavioral changes. For example, a woman with stress incontinence may want to avoid running or jumping to prevent the abdominal muscles from pressing down on the bladder. Losing weight has also been shown to reduce the number of stress incontinence episodes in women with obesity. Urinating on a schedule, controlling fluid intake, and avoiding alcoholic beverages are behavioral changes that may be helpful for managing incontinence in women.

Pelvic Floor Therapy

Because some women develop incontinence due to weakened muscles, pelvic floor therapy may make it easier to control the release of urine from the bladder. The pelvic floor is important because it supports the bladder, rectum, and vagina. As a result, it plays a major role in controlling the release of urine. During pelvic floor therapy, a woman learns how to perform exercises to strengthen the muscles in this area. Some therapists also use biofeedback, the use of painless electrodes to stimulate the muscles.

Surgical Procedures

Surgery is usually a last resort for women with urinary incontinence, but it is an option. Depending on the cause and severity of the incontinence, a doctor may recommend the sling procedure or retropubic suspension. The sling procedure uses a custom sling to provide support for the urethra or the neck of the bladder.

While performing retropubic suspension, a surgeon sews the bladder neck, urethra, and part of the vaginal wall to the ligaments and bones in the pelvis. Both procedures prevent urine from leaking out of the bladder when a woman coughs, laughs, sneezes, runs, or performs other movements that cause increased abdominal pressure.

Best Incontinence Products for Women

Pads and Liners

Pads and liners absorb urine, preventing it from leaking outside a woman's underwear. Disposable pads are worn once, while reusable pads can be washed and used many times. Like other incontinence products for women, pads and liners come in several styles. For example, Nexwear offers disposable pads designed for women with light bladder leakage as well as moderate incontinence. 

Although pads and liners serve the same purpose, they're designed differently. Liners are very thin, while pads are thicker and designed to absorb more urine. Therefore, women typically have to change liners more often than they have to change disposable or reusable pads.

Protective Underwear

Protective underwear has many features to help women with incontinence feel more confident. Each pair is designed to be both absorbent and thin, preventing urine leakage without bunching up under a woman's clothing. Nexwear's protective underwear is made from a cloth-like material that makes no noise, making it possible to control incontinence discreetly. This material also lies flat instead of riding up, ensuring complete coverage throughout the day. Like pads and liners, protective underwear comes in disposable and reusable versions.

External Catheters

An external catheter is a noninvasive device designed to collect urine. Internal catheters must be inserted into the bladder, a procedure that many women find unpleasant. Inserting an internal catheter also increases the risk of urinary tract infections, as it's possible to transfer bacteria from the hands to the catheter tip. External catheters eliminate these problems by using suction and a wick to draw urine into a canister. This prevents urine from accumulating on the skin, helping those with incontinence avoid sores, rashes, and other skin problems.

Bladder Control Devices

Vaginal pessaries are bladder control devices made from rubber or silicone. A woman with urinary incontinence may insert one of these devices into the vagina to prevent urine leakage. The device is easy to remove, so women who use vaginal pessaries can still urinate normally and have sexual intercourse when desired. When pessaries fit properly, they're highly effective for addressing incontinence without invasive surgery.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Incontinence Products

When choosing incontinence products for women, it's important to consider several factors. For example, a woman should think about what type of incontinence she has. Stress urinary incontinence usually causes just a small amount of urine to leak out of the bladder, while urge incontinence may cause larger leaks, affecting the amount of absorbency needed.

Comfort and fit are also important considerations. Pads, liners, and protective underwear should fit securely to prevent leaks and help women feel confident about their appearance. Finally, shoppers should think about cost and availability. Not everyone has the same financial resources, so it's important for women to be able to afford the products they choose.

Care and Maintenance of Incontinence Products

Reusable pads and protective underwear are usually laundered just like other clothing items. However, it's important to review the manufacturer's care instructions, as some products aren't compatible with fabric softener and other laundry additives. Depending on the material used in each product, a manufacturer may also advise customers to dry on low heat or hang the item to dry.

Disposable products are easy to store in the bathroom or any other room of the home. Many women store pads and liners under the bathroom sink or in a linen closet close to the bathroom, making it easy to access each product when needed. 

Even high-quality reusable products must be replaced occasionally. Women who use these products should inspect each item regularly and replace it if they notice any damage or signs of wear. Disposable products need to be replaced more often, as they're designed for one-time use. It's important to monitor the supply of disposable products and order replacements as early as possible.

Why Choose Nexwear Incontinence Products?

Nexwear offers premium incontinence products for women, making it easier to control urine leakage without sacrificing comfort and confidence. Selling directly to consumers allows us to keep our prices as low as possible, increasing affordability for women interested in pads, liners, and protective underwear. Nexwear even has a subscription model available, ensuring customers never run out of their favorite products.

Incontinence is one of the most common medical problems in women, but the right products make it easier to manage. To prevent urine leakage, it's important to choose a product that fits well and has the right level of absorbency. Women also need to care for these products carefully to ensure they work as designed. Visit the Nexwear website to learn more about why we have the best incontinence products for women.