After I developed chronic UI about 12 years ago in my mid-50s, I became completely dependent on underwear protection. Finding a product that offers me both total confidence and the fit and comfort I wanted was paramount. Though I started out with pantyliners, heavy-duty as they were, they just didn’t offer the coverage I needed to handle my unexpected urine surges and couldn’t prevent discomfort. I soon realized I was going to have to jump in all the way. Goodbye to my own quirky collection of cotton underwear; hello to the hot new trend of disposable feminine undergarments.
Over time I tried all the major brands on the market and many of the various store brands, but wasn’t very satisfied (don’t even ask about the ones with diaper-like tabs on each side for “easy on and off” when stepping in and out is “inconvenient”). I’d settled in with (the now-discontinued) Poise absorbent underwear until I saw a new product, Always Discreet incontinence underwear, on display in a store. I gave them a try and they’ve been my one and only ever since.
The difference between Always Discreet and the other brands was immediately obvious. Always Discreet is a softer brief all around, which makes it very comfortable against the skin. It’s made of a stretchy material which molds to the body. This is important to me because I am a plus-size woman, and I do not want to feel pinched and constricted by my underwear—it’s bad for my mood as well as my self-esteem. The Discreet line has decorations on the panties to make them feel more like real underwear, and all Always Discreet underwear are also lightly scented (so women with chemical sensitivities should be forewarned).
The Always Discreet underwear is also plush and well padded where it counts the most. The wide absorbent area extends far up the front and the back and can handle a surprising amount of urine when necessary. This is crucial for women like me whose sudden episodes of UI can go way beyond the occasional leak. The wicking mechanism is very good, so that the moisture is pulled into the garment and stays away from the skin until it is possible to change underwear, which, in some situations, can be a while.
Like any other top-quality product, the Always Discreet absorbent underwear is a little more expensive than other brands, but it’s worth it. They come in three sizes—Sm/M, L, and XL—and in low-rise or classic-cut styles.
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