Urinary incontinence is a common condition. According to the National Association for Continence (NAFC), as many as 25 million Americans may be affected by loss of bladder control. A surprising one in four women between the ages of 30 and 59 are reported to have experienced an episode of urinary incontinence.

Incontinence sufferers often experience emotional as well as physical discomfort, because they isolate themselves for fear of ridicule or embarrassment.

“Today there are products available that are ultra-absorbent and give these people the ability to be part of a social life,” says Dr. Ragi Doggweiler-Wiygul, physician and assistant professor in the urology department at the University of Tennessee.

Taking Control
Urinary incontinence shouldn’t control daily life. With the current advancements in products for bladder control, you can manage your incontinence with confidence. In recent years, product advancements in absorbent undergarments have led to the development of incontinence solutions that are unobtrusive, discreet and virtually invisible. For many urinary incontinence sufferers, this has allowed active, independent adults to continue with their daily activities without the embarrassment or stigma of wearing an adult diaper.

There are two general categories of absorbency products available: protective undergarments and absorbency pads. The absorbency pads are designed to be affixed to your regular undergarments. Depending on the type of pad you choose, some can absorb a full voiding of the bladder. With the latest developments in these products, most are thin enough to remain undetectable under clothing.

There also are pads that can be worn with undergarment belts. They attach by means of elastic belts and provide protection in the front and back. These products often allow a little more freedom of movement. They offer protection for mild to moderate incontinence.

Protective undergarments are basically disposable underpants for adults that are worn much like regular underwear. These undergarments are equipped to handle medium to heavy urine collection.

For heavy incontinence, the most absorbent, full-sized undergarments are recommended. Although these are the most bulky of all the products available, they offer the best protection when dealing with heavy incontinence.

At the age of 53, Paul Stewart from London, England, lost his daytime bladder control. Having suffered with nighttime incontinence in his youth, he was now unable to control his bladder during the day. “I was very reluctant to wear protection,” he says. “I found that I was avoiding social contact and finding reasons not to go out in public. Eventually, I went for an assessment, and the result was a revelation for me. I was equipped with a kit that was comfortable, undetectable and absolutely reliable. I got my life back! No one else needed to know, and the awful fear of having a public accident just disappeared.”

Stewart attributes his confidence to the cleverly-designed hypoallergenic sheath catheters that he also wears during the daytime and the thirsty, modern, gel-type absorbent pads. “Incontinence is no longer on our agenda because it no longer gets in the way,” he says.

The advantages of both the absorbent pads and the undergarments are obvious to the patients who use them. The products also have been treated to neutralize urine acidity which helps control skin irritation from exposure to urine and also helps control odor. The absorbency products are designed to keep moisture away from the body, allowing for maximum comfort.

Although most undergarments are designed to be disposable, there are absorbent cloth garments available. The advantage of the non-disposable undergarment is the decreased expense; the disadvantage is, of course, that they require laundering.

Also on the market are absorbent mattress pads that can be used at night for added protection against leakage or overflow.

How to Choose an Absorbency Product
Choosing the best absorbent product is a personal decision. Incontinent.com tells consumers to ask these questions before deciding on an absorbency product:

• How heavy is the incontinence?
• What is the cost?
• How easy is it to use (putting on and taking off)?
• Is discretion important (smallest, thinnest pad)?
• Is absorbency important?
• Is it a combination of factors, such as finding the smallest, most discreet pad that will absorb the most?

“Men and women with urinary incontinence are often at risk for skin rashes and skin breakdown,” says Diane K. Newman, RNC, MSN, CRNP, co-director of the Penn Center for Continence and pelvic health division of urology at the University of Pennsylvania Health Center in Philadelphia, Pa. “Use absorbent products that keep the urine away from the skin, and use topical skin products that protect the skin from moisture (skin barrier products).”

Newman, author of The Urinary Incontinence Sourcebook (McGraw-Hill/Contemporary Books, 1999) and Managing and Treating Urinary Incontinence (Health Professions, 2002), says the factors that should be considered when choosing an absorbency product include type and severity of the urinary incontinence, patient preference, quality and cost of the product, availability of the caregiver to remove the product and skin integrity.

As Cheryle B. Gartley, founder and president of The Simon Foundation for Continence, notes in her book, Managing Incontinence, there's no perfect product that works for every consumer. "Many people find that one product alone isn't completely suitable for all situations," says Gartley. "A bulky, highly-absorbent product may be very good for nighttime use or for around the house. For work or social events, an inconspicuous pad and pant system may be more appropriate. For long confinement periods or long periods of vibration (i.e., traveling for more than two hours on an airplane), an extended collection device may be the appropriate coping mechanism."

Freedom From Worry
Harry Campos of Severna Park, Md., uses the disposable undergarments throughout the day. At night he finds the cloth absorbency products work best for his needs. “I lead a very active life even though I am incontinent,” he says. “But I can’t go out in public without some sort of protection. At night I wear absorbent pants to bed covered with plastic pants. I have an absorbent pad on my side of the bed just in case of leaks.”

For Campos and others who suffer from urinary incontinence, absorbency products have allowed them the freedom to maintain an active lifestyle with confidence. “Depending on the product I wear, I can go for several hours without changing, “ says Campos. “I have four grandchildren, and we play, go boating, fishing, camping – all the normal things in life.”

Newman says that absorbency products increase the sense of security and freedom for those who experience incontinence. “They don’t have to worry about urine leakage through clothing,” she says. “This assists in decreasing isolation, allowing them the freedom go out and socialize.”

For most, this is a key issue in dealing with incontinence. “Today’s absorbency products represent a valuable ‘ally’ for individuals in offering them the protective assurance they need to maintain an active lifestyle,” says Nancy Muller, executive director of the NAFC. “Used in combination with behavioral therapies, as well as medications, they can help preserve personal dignity and combat isolation.”

Want to see more?

• Fecal Incontinence After Pregnancy
• The Art of a Kegel
• Staying Active, Controlling Incontinence: A Primer for Men and Women
• Talk about it!