The Beginner’s Guide to Incontinence Pads30 December 2022 Last Updated: 30 August 2024 Let’s talk about something that’s super common but doesn’t always get the airtime it deserves: urinary incontinence. If you’ve ever had an “oops” moment when you’ve sneezed, laughed, or gone for a jog, then you know exactly what we’re talking about. You’re not alone—far from it! Urinary incontinence is a lot more common than you think, and the good news is there are lots of ways to manage it. What is Urinary Incontinence?Urinary incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine. Pregnancy and childbirth, hereditary factors, and ageing pelvic floor muscles can all contribute to bladder weakness. Although it predominantly affects women, children and men can struggle too. Enlarged prostates and overactive bladders can also contribute to different types of incontinence, including overflow incontinence or mixed incontinence.
Types of urinary incontinence vary. Many people experience occasional small leaks when they sneeze, laugh or do star jumps; others struggle with pressure on their bladder which creates a sudden urge to urinate that is so strong they don't make it to the toilet in time. If you need a bit of extra protection, incontinence pads can be a total game-changer. They’re designed to catch any leaks and keep you feeling dry and comfortable. Our beginners guide to incontinence pads covers - Incontinence pads are absorbent material designed to be affixed to your underwear to catch leaks from bladder weakness. The need for protection at all times 'just in case' involves spending lots of money on single-use products which may get wasted if bladder leaks are unpredictable. Having disposable incontinence pads next to the skin at all times can also lead to, or aggravate sore, irritated, sensitive skin. In sum, disposable pads can be costly, add to landfill, run out and put lots of chemicals next to your skin for prolonged time. Reusable incontinence pads, on the other hand, are a great alternative. They protect sensitive skin and save you money almost straight away, as you can use them for years to come. Made from natural fibres, they wick moisture away from your skin and trap it in an absorbent core, with a waterproof layer to keep leaks at bay. Our “Feeling Fearless” pads are also charcoal-infused to keep odours under control and come in various sizes to suit different needs. 
To use incontinence pads, choose the correct absorbency for your needs and change once used. They function in the same way as disposable pads but instead of dropping into the bin, just rinse and pop them in the washing machine. Once you have rinsed your pads or pants they can be stored in a soaking tub with water and tea tree or dry stored in a wetbag. They can be washed along with your other everyday washing just stick to 30 degrees and avoid fabric softener - this will build up on the fabric and stop it absorbing. You can see all of our washing and care guides here. - Pick Your Pad: Choose the right size and absorbency for your needs.
Place: Pop them in your undies just like a disposable pad. Change: Once the pad is wet, swap it out for a fresh one. Wash: Wash at 30 degrees.
Our reusable incontinence pads come in four sizes and absorbencies to suit your needsfrom super light 19cm pads to hold urine from infrequent small leaks, to 33cm pads shaped to help overnight or if you spend time sitting down. Feeling Fearless incontinence pads are also a perfect option for older people with mobility issues and for those coping with disabilities who suffer with urge incontinence that makes getting to the toilet in a hurry difficult. 
Incontinence pads or pants should be changed once you have wet them. Replacing and washing yourself regularly throughout the day will help to avoid the added worry of smelling of pee. Wiping with toilet paper alone may leave you with ammonia sitting on your skin causing soreness and smells. Using reusable wipes can be more hygienic and soothes sensitive skin. When out and about, just pop a couple of damp wipes in a wetbag, much easier than trying to discreetly wet toilet tissues before disappearing into a stall. 
No, incontinence pads aren't the same as menstrual pads, however they can often be used interchangeably for light incontinence. All of our Cheeky pads can be used for light bladder control issues and for periods so no need to buy twice. Each type has liners, day pads and night pads. All of our period pants work well for incontinence too. 
Feeling Fearless high absorbency pads are best for incontinence due to their charcoal impregnation, designed with incontinence and odour control in mind. They come in superlight 19cm pads right up to extra large 33cm pads shaped for night time use or people who are lying down for extended amounts of time. All our incontinence pads were designed by our expert Penny Broderick, they have a brushed cotton top permeated with charcoal to trap odours. They are super thin with high capacity for fluids and shaped to best catch leaks quickly, keeping your skin dry. Opt for our standard grey pads or push the boat out for our beautiful hand made limited edition pads. | Mix & Match
ANY Pads
Buy 5 get the
cheapest
FREE |
 | Mix & Match
ANY Pads
Buy 5 get the
cheapest
FREE |
 |
If overnight leaks are a problem for you, to avoid disruptive bed changes in the night use a mattress protector for extra leak prevention. If you found this guide helpful, check out these other posts: As always, if you're unsure of what you need to make the switch, please do drop the team a line or use the online chat function. The team all use the products themselves and just LOVE to chat pee poo and periods, all day long, nothing is TMI and we all love to overshare based on our own experiences... About the Author: Kirstin Scriven is part of the Customer Experience team at Cheeky Wipes, which since 2008 has been selling the original reusable wipes kit. She is mum to 3 and loves the forest, the sea and the hills! Along with the rest of our crack team, she spends most days talking about poo, pee and periods and loves a chance to overshare. The business was recognised with a Queens Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development in 2021, celebrating their hard work over the last 13 years. | .jpg)
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