26 September 2023
Thanks to the latest innovations, incontinence pads are now much more discreet and better designed to respond to the wearer's individual needs.
Some people believe that incontinence is part of the ageing process or that it cannot be treated. However, this is not the case. Over 70% of cases can be successfully treated or significantly improved with professional help and guidance. In this guide from Healthcare Pro, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at how to wear male incontinence pads and prevent leakages, leaving you free to live your best life.
There are lots of reasons why someone may need to use incontinence pads, which is why there are so many different types and absorbencies to choose from. It may be that:
The sheer range of incontinence pads available can often be confusing to a new wearer, or a family carer helping a loved one fit incontinence products. But we’ve got some handy tips and information to help answer some of the more common questions you may have.
The size and fit may vary but, generally speaking, incontinence pads include:
*TIP* If you see breaks in the lines of the wetness indicator, the incontinence pad has not been fitted properly and may explain any leakages.
One of the most common causes of incontinence pads leaking is failure to activate the leakage barriers on the insides of the pad. So if you’re looking for easy methods on how to wear male incontinence pads to prevent leaks, adopting the “pinch, pinch, pull” method is the best way to ensure the leakage barriers are activated.
When opening the pad: pinch the top and bottom together before stretching lengthways
*IMPORTANT* do not shake the pad as this can disturb the core, affecting absorbance and performance.
If you’re fitting an incontinence pad on someone else, here are some instructions which may help make things easier. You can find more information about the Abena Abri-San Premium Pads, the Abena Abri-Form Premium All-In-One Pads and the Abena Abri-Flex - Premium on our website.
If your incontinence pads are leaking regularly, ensure that you’re following the instructions above to activate the leakage barrier. If this doesn’t solve the leaking, you’ll need to review the size and absorbency of your incontinence pads. Remember that the size of the product relates to your waist and hip measurement (when choosing an all-in-one product or pull-up) and the absorbency level relates to urine output.
If you choose an incontinence pad with an absorbency level that is too high for your needs, this may cause unnecessary damage to your skin. Similarly, if the capacity of your incontinence pads are too small, then they won’t give you the absorbency you require and you risk potential leakages.
Additionally, when wearing a two-piece system (an incontinence pad and fixation pants) it is suggested that the legs on the fixation pants are pulled into the groin to support the pad further and provide a close fit to prevent leakages.
Barrier creams are a great way to take care of your skin, but must be used SPARINGLY – too much will cause the excess cream to be absorbed into the incontinence pad, significantly reducing its effectiveness and absorption.
Moisture lesions in the UK are increasing year-on-year so using a good barrier cream properly should help to ensure your skin is well looked after. If you have not used a barrier cream before we would advise you to speak with a healthcare professional to find the one which is right for your needs.
For confidence at night, you may want to consider a bed pad such as the Abena Abri-Soft Classic Disposable Bed Pads which has a waterproof backing and sealed edges to ensure full leakage protection. Alternatively, if you’re living with moderate to heavy incontinence the Abena Abri-Soft Excellent Disposable Bed Protectors boast a highly absorbent fluff pulp core to provide a greater level of liquid absorption and retention.
*Important* Neither of the above should be necessary if you wear the correct body-worn product to bed, such as an incontinence pad.
Abena also has their “Abri-Bag Zip Bag” – a fabulous product designed for the disposal of incontinence products. Opaque and very resistant to tearing, this product is particularly handy for men living with incontinence who find they need to change their incontinence pad when out in public. Unlike ladies, there are no sanitary bins available in men’s toilets, so the Abri-Bag enables men to dispose of their incontinence pad discreetly, with a secure zip to contain any odours.
If you are looking for more help and advice on how to wear male incontinence pads, we provide an excellent service at Healthcare Pro. If you have any other questions about your condition, any treatment you could have, or our health aids and personal care products in our stock that may help you, don’t hesitate to contact us today.
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