Other useful incontinence products for more severe leaks include urinals (devices that collect urine), or sheaths and drainage systems (if you have a penis). Maximum: These pads are made for heavier kinds of moderate leaking, like uncontrollable streams from a full bladder. They’re often longer in length and use more polymer for absorbency. The inner layer uses active botanicals to counteract odor, and indeed our tester found the odor control on these pads to be very impressive when they had apple cider vinegar poured on them. This pad is also free of chlorine, synthetic fragrances, lotions, and latex, so it’s great for sensitive skin. Our testing showed these pads effectively absorbed all the liquid we poured on them (albeit after sitting on top for a beat). It left no mess, and the liquid was absorbed into the top layer without leaking through to the sides or outer layer. Our tester found the underwear beneath the pad stayed dry, and there was no odor on the underwear or outside of the pad at all. Because Premium Pads: While these pads did a good job absorbing liquid and preventing leakage, they felt very wet to the touch even after 10 minutes of waiting for full absorption. We also found they didn’t contain odor very well—and considering they aren’t the cheapest on our list, we recommend spending your money on other brands.

These pads are not only made with renewable materials and in carbon-neutral factories, but our testing found them to be reliably absorbent and have great odor control. Attn: Grace is made with a silky soft, 100% bio-based top sheet. During testing, we found the ultimate absorbency to be true to its name—the liquid instantly absorbed into this top sheet and was contained in the initial spot rather than spreading to the outside. Placing one pad in the horizontal position and the other vertically. This positioning can be a “catch-all” for any messes.Yin L, et al. (2020). A study of skin physiology, sensation, and friction of nonwoven fabrics used in absorbent hygiene products in neutral and warm environments. Doubling up on pads, if needed, to facilitate future bed changes. For example, if you know you’re likely going to have an overnight accident, going ahead and placing two pads means you can remove and dispose of the top one, and you have another ready to go. While the pads were great for absorption, they did feel slightly wet despite their large size. Let’s be clear: The underwear beneath the pad remained dry, so you shouldn’t experience any bedtime accidents. And they don’t feel uncomfortably wet to the touch, so they should serve you well throughout the night. What’s more, they’re highly padded and long enough to soothe any worries about liquid leaking out while you’re sleeping. For people with severe leaks, continence clinics and district nurses can supply incontinence pads on the NHS, but these tend to be big and bulky. Using tampons for stress incontinence

There is a multitude of incontinence pad options on the market; each usually in different shapes and sizes, and ability to absorb different amounts of liquid,” explains Dr. Javaid. Pads and pull-up pants use the same technology as babies' nappies and have a "hydrophobic" layer which draws urine away from the surface of the product, so your skin stays dry. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) does not recommend using tampons for the routine management of urinary incontinence in women.Light/Ultra Thin/Very Light: These pads are usually the lightest and smallest and are meant to handle small leaks (a few drops at a time), like when you exercise. They usually fit the best and are the least noticeable because they’re thinner. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.