Types of Incontinence Pads: Which Is Right for You?

What are the Main Types of Incontinence?

There are two main types of incontinence: urinary incontinence and faecal incontinence.

Urinary incontinence

Urinary incontinence is the most common form of incontinence. It can be triggered by a wide range of causes such as childbirth, menopause or ongoing health conditions, such as diabetes or arthritis. It can vary from occasional light leaks when sneezing or coughing to full bladder emptying without warning.

Common causes include:

• Weakened or damaged pelvic floor muscles – often due to pregnancy, childbirth or long-term constipation.

• Blockage or incomplete emptying – such as an enlarged prostate.

• Neurological conditions affecting bladder control – such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease or diabetes-related nerve damage.

• Increased pressure on the bladder – from chronic coughing, obesity or pregnancy.

• Functional issues – difficulty reaching the toilet due to reduced mobility or cognitive impairment. 

However, with the right support, many people can considerably improve their symptoms. Helpful steps may include regular pelvic floor exercises, maintaining a healthy weight, staying active or avoiding drinks that can irritate the bladder, such as alcohol and caffeine.

If you want to introduce changes to your lifestyle, check out these articles:

• Foods and drinks that irritate the bladder

• Bladder friendly drinks

• Incontinence when exercising

Faecal incontinence

Faecal incontinence involves the involuntary bowel movement, often with little or no warning. Although less frequently discussed, it’s more common than people realise, particularly among older adults and people with mobility or neurological issues.

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, talk to your healthcare professional and explore the different types of incontinence pads designed for bowel management. 

MoliCare® also has a range of bowel incontinence products designed to manage faecal leaks discreetly and comfortably.

What are the Different Types of Incontinence Pads?

When it comes to managing bladder or bowel incontinence, it is important to recognise that not every product suits everyone. Gaining an understanding of the different types of products can enable you to choose the right ones for your needs.

MoliCare® provides a comprehensive range of pads and products for all levels of incontinence from light leaks to heavy leakages. The pads are thoughtfully designed to suit a wide variety of lifestyles and mobility requirements. 

Here are some of the types of incontinence pads and products you could explore.

How to Choose the Right Incontinence Pad

The best incontinence pad is not necessarily the largest or most absorbent one. It is the product that manages your leakage reliably while remaining comfortable and practical for your daily routine.

Here are some of the factors to consider as you look for right pad:

1. Consider how much you leak

Start by thinking about the amount of urine or bowel leakage you experience and how frequently it happens.

A few drops when coughing or sneezing require a different level of protection from frequent, larger leaks or complete bladder emptying.

The following table provides a useful starting point:

These are general recommendations rather than fixed rules. The right product also depends on how quickly leakage occurs, how well the product fits and how often it can be changed.

A bladder diary can help you identify when leakage happens and how frequently you need to change your protection. This information can also be useful when speaking to a healthcare professional.

2. Choose the right absorbency level

Incontinence products are available in different absorbency levels, often described using terms such as light, moderate, extra or maximum.

Choosing the right level is important. A product with insufficient absorbency may become saturated too quickly and allow leakage, while an unnecessarily bulky product may feel uncomfortable or restrict movement.

As a general principle, choose the lowest absorbency that reliably manages your leakage.

Remember that absorbency ratings and capacities vary between manufacturers and product designs. A higher absorbency rating does not automatically mean a product will provide better protection for everyone.

If you regularly experience leaks despite wearing the product correctly, you may need a different absorbency level, size or product design.

3. Consider your mobility and ability to change independently

Your mobility can influence which type of incontinence product is most practical.

For example:

• If you are active and independently mobile: Shaped pads or pull-up pants may offer convenient protection while allowing you to use the toilet and change independently.

• If you have difficulty standing or bending: An all-in-one slip may be easier to change than a pull-up product that needs to be pulled down over the legs.

• If you receive assistance from a carer: Tab-style slips or suitable belted products can make changing easier without requiring the wearer to remove their clothing completely.

Consider how easily you can put on, remove and replace the product, not just how much it absorbs.

4. Get the right size and fit

A well-fitting incontinence product should sit securely against your body without digging into your skin, slipping out of position or restricting movement.

For shaped pads, the correct underwear or fixation pants are important. Larger pads generally need suitable fixation pants to keep them in place.

For pull-up pants and all-in-one slips, check the manufacturer's waist and hip measurements rather than relying solely on your usual clothing size.

Look out for these signs that your product may not fit properly:

A larger product is not automatically a better fit. The aim is to achieve a secure, comfortable fit that keeps the absorbent areas close to the body.

5. Think about daytime and night-time protection

Your protection needs may change throughout the day.

During the day, you may prefer a slimmer, more discreet product that allows you to move comfortably, work, exercise or travel.

At night, you may need a product with greater absorbency or additional coverage, particularly if you experience heavier leakage or cannot change as frequently while sleeping.

Consider:

• How much you typically leak overnight.

• Whether you sleep on your side, back or front.

• Whether you can get out of bed independently.

• How long you usually sleep between changes.

• Whether you need additional mattress protection.

MoliCare® Day & Night products include pads, pull-up pants, larger pads and adult nappies, with options for different absorbency and mobility requirements.

For additional protection, MoliCare® bed sheets can help protect your mattress and bedding from accidental leaks. They complement wearable incontinence products rather than replacing them.

6. Prioritise comfort and skin health

The wrong incontinence pads can lead to intimate area skin irritation, or nappy rash, which can result in discomfort. 

Look for incontinence pads with:

• Breathable materials that support air circulation.

• A soft surface that feels comfortable against the skin.

• An absorbent core that draws moisture away from the skin.

• Effective leakage protection to help prevent wetness escaping.

• Odour-neutralising features.

MoliCare® pads are breathable, dermatologically tested and pH-balanced, making them suitable for sensitive skin. They are designed to help reduce the risk of incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD) and adult nappy rash. 

It is also important to change wet or soiled products regularly, clean the skin gently and dry it carefully. A suitable cream like MoliCare® barrier cream for incontinence can help protect the skin from prolonged exposure to moisture.

Find out more about the purpose and benefits of barrier creams.

 

Tips for Buying Incontinence Pads

With a wide variety of incontinence products available, choosing the right one can feel daunting, particularly if you are managing leakage for the first time.

But once you know what to look for, it becomes easier to find something that suits your needs. 

• Start with your leakage needs: Consider how much you leak, how frequently it happens and whether you need daytime or overnight protection.

• Check the product design: Decide whether a separate shaped pad, pull-up pant or all-in-one slip is more practical for you.

• Measure before buying: Use the manufacturer's waist and hip measurements to select the correct size.

• Consider changing requirements: Think about whether you can change independently or need assistance.

• Try before buying in bulk: Where samples or smaller packs are available, try different options to find the most comfortable fit and suitable absorbency.

• Check product compatibility: Use booster pads and fixation garments only as directed by the manufacturer.

• Review your choice: If you experience regular leaks, discomfort or skin irritation, reassess the size, absorbency or product design.

The right product should make managing incontinence easier. It shouldn’t add another complication to your day.

FAQs

What is the most absorbent type of incontinence pad?

All-in-one incontinence slips and some high-absorbency shaped pads are designed to manage heavier leakage. The actual absorbency depends on the individual product, so check the manufacturer's specifications when comparing options.

For people experiencing heavy leakage, the best choice may also depend on mobility, changing requirements and whether the product is needed during the day or overnight.

Are incontinence pads and sanitary pads the same?

No. Although they may look similar, incontinence pads and sanitary pads are designed for different purposes.

Sanitary pads absorb menstrual blood, while incontinence pads are specifically designed to absorb urine. They use different absorbent technologies and product designs to manage the different types of fluid.

Can you wear an incontinence pad overnight?

Yes. Many incontinence products are suitable for overnight use, including higher-absorbency shaped pads, pull-up pants and all-in-one slips.

Choose a product that can manage your usual night-time leakage and provides a comfortable fit while lying down. Depending on the leakage level, you may also benefit from additional mattress protection.

What is the difference between an incontinence pad and pull-up pants?

An incontinence pad is a separate absorbent product worn inside underwear or suitable fixation pants. Pull-up incontinence pants have an absorbent core built into the garment and are worn like ordinary underwear.

Pads can offer a more flexible choice of absorbency and product size, while pull-up pants provide an all-in-one underwear-style solution.

Can you use two incontinence pads together?

Generally, you should not wear two ordinary incontinence pads on top of one another to increase absorbency. Layering products can interfere with their fit, absorbency and leakage protection.

If you need additional capacity, consider a compatible booster pad designed for use with your primary product. Always follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Are washable incontinence pads as effective as disposable ones?

It depends on the product and the amount of leakage you experience.

Washable incontinence underwear can provide effective protection for lighter leakage, but absorbency varies between products. Disposable options are available in a wider range of designs and absorbency levels, including products intended for heavier leakage.

Check the product's stated absorbency and care instructions before choosing.

Which incontinence product is best for someone with limited mobility?

All-in-one incontinence slips are often a practical option for people with limited mobility because they can be fastened and removed without pulling the product up or down over the legs.

Belted products may also be suitable, depending on the person's needs and the product design. A healthcare professional or continence specialist can help identify the most appropriate option.

Can incontinence pads be used for faecal incontinence?

Not all incontinence pads are suitable for bowel leakage. Some products are specifically designed to manage both urinary and faecal incontinence, while others are intended for urine only. Check the manufacturer's product information and choose a design that provides appropriate coverage and containment. 

When should you speak to a healthcare professional about incontinence?

Speak to a healthcare professional if you experience new, persistent, worsening or unexplained leakage, or if incontinence affects your everyday life.

They can help identify the underlying cause, assess your symptoms and discuss treatment options. Incontinence products can help manage leakage, but they should not be a substitute for appropriate medical assessment.