If you’re experiencing urinary incontinence—whether it’s an overactive bladder or occasional leaks from sneezing, coughing, or exercising—you’re probably among the millions (really!) of women in the market for urinary incontinence pads. The not-so-new fact is that everyone experiences leaks differently, which means different incontinence pads for women work best for different people. The good news is that you do have some choices. Where once you could only wear adult diapers or uncomfortably thick liners, there are now a lot of options to choose from, which vary based on shape, material, thickness, absorbency needs, and price points. From the best panty liners for incontinence to our favorite urinary incontinence pads, here are some bladder leakage products we love.
What are urinary incontinence pads?
But first thing’s first: What are urinary incontinence pads in the first place? Many women who begin experiencing bladder leaks first turn to menstrual pads and liners because they’re familiar—and sure, they seem to serve a similar purpose. Unfortunately, maxi pads and incontinence pads are pretty different in both form and function, so it’s really important to use incontinence pads for incontinence!
In a nutshell, while both types of pads are meant to absorb liquid, maxi pads are designed to handle a pretty slow menstrual flow, which they do by pulling liquid from the top layer to the bottom layer of the pad, which also keeps you dry. But urine has a completely different chemical composition from blood and (as we know too well!) also comes out much more quickly. So urinary incontinence pads are designed to handle a faster—and often larger—flow and are frequently made with a special gel in the bottom layer that draws the pee into the pad and thickens it into more of a manageable solid. Incontinence pads for women also neutralize urine’s chemical composition, which 1) prevents you from getting a rash and 2) works to eliminate odor.
So while menstrual pads and liners are pros at handling blood, they’re likely to soak right through with urine, won’t do much for the smell, and can actually contribute to a breakdown of your skin. So trust us: finding the right bladder leakage products is worth your while! Not only will they keep you healthy, they’ll also keep you feeling fresher. Which leads us to the different types of urinary incontinence pads.
Types of incontinence pads for women
When you think of urinary incontinence, your mind might jump to Depends or other “adult diapers.” But there are a lot of incontinence pad brands out there that make managing urinary incontinence far more discreet, especially for young, active women. Let’s break down some of the popular brands out there.
- Poise: When it comes to incontinence pads for women, Poise is the preferred brand among younger women. Motherfigure conducted a focus group with women in their 30s to 50s who experience bladder leaks, and Poise was a favorite for its absorbency, comfort, discretion, and variety. Poise offers nine different types of urinary incontinence pads (and two types of liners), ranging from very thin, light pads for protection from occasional leaks to Ultimate Overnight Pads for maximum absorbency. Poise’s incontinence pads are good at stopping odors and offer excellent protection.
- TENA: A leading brand for incontinence pads, TENA’s Serenity and Intimates lines both come in a variety of absorbency thicknesses and lengths. TENA urinary incontinence pads use unique technologies to lock away liquid and balance pH, and customers are often pleased with these pads’ extra shields to prevent pee from leaking out the sides and with the pads’ softness and comfort. TENA’s thicker incontinence pads are particularly effective for protecting against heavy leaks. These are at a slightly higher price point than other incontinence pads for women.
- Always: Always may be familiar as a period pad brand, which is why it’s often a trusted choice among women looking for urinary incontinence pads. The Always Discreet line offers three different types of incontinence pads—Ultimate, Moderate, and Maximum—which offer varying amounts of absorbency and come in different lengths. Thinner Always Discreet liners are also available for a smaller flow or less consistent leakage. They’re generally thinner than other brands’ offerings while still providing excellent absorbency. The women Motherfigure surveyed found that Always Discreet incontinence pads are comfortable, effective and, indeed, discreet.
- Hesta: Hesta differentiates itself a bit more from the other brands of incontinence pads by offering reusable, washable pads made from organic cotton. Made without chemicals, adhesives, or bleach, the breathable and absorbent pads are good for the body and for the environment. They’re particularly great for women with sensitive skin or who find themselves having allergies to the materials used in conventional incontinence pads for women. They come in four sizes.
Where to buy bladder leakage products
Most urinary incontinence pads can be bought at grocery stores or drugstores. While they’re sometimes stocked in the feminine product aisle with tampons and period pads, some stores might also put them with diapers. All incontinence pads for women can also be bought online, whether on Amazon, drugstores’ websites, or the brand’s own site. Paying the brands’ websites a visit might be worth it, too, because many offer free samples, so you can try out the different types of urinary incontinence pads before deciding on the brand or type that works best for you.
Other types of incontinence products
Incontinence pads are the most popular types of products women use to deal with bladder leaks because they’re easily accessible, easy to use, and the cheapest option. However, options other than incontinence pads are also available. Absorbent leak-protection underwear is becoming increasingly popular. This can range from thickly padded overnight underwear to incontinence underwear like Icon and Always Discreet Boutique that are nearly indistinguishable from regular panties thanks to absorbent fabrics and discreet protective layers. Poise also makes the Impressa bladder support product, which resembles a tampon, but its unique shape presses against the urethra to keep pee from leaking out. A slightly different type of product, Elvie is an app-enabled Kegel exercise tracker that provides feedback and keeps you accountable for your Kegel exercises. Because urinary incontinence is sometimes caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles, doing Kegels is an often-effective way to strengthen them and stop leaks from happening.
There are a lot of products out there, and finding your favorite might take trying several of them out. We all want to find the perfect solution on our first trip to the store (and you might!) but honestly, trying out a few different kinds is so worth it when you find the one that really works. We’d love to hear about what incontinence pads work best for you and why you like them. Leave us a comment and let us know!
FYI: Each product we mention is independently chosen, and represents the views of the writer, not Motherfigure. If you buy something through our links, Motherfigure may earn an affiliate commission.