How To Wear Male Incontinence Pads (With Pictures)
Men’s incontinence pads are sometimes known as men’s sanitary pads or sanitary pad for guys. Irrespective of what you call it, including “male maxi pad,” the use and function are unchanged. The male incontinence pad is used for urinary incontinence. It saves you from bladder embarrassment and keeps you confident throughout your day.
How To Wear Men’s Incontinence Pads
Wearing the male incontinence pad or men’s sanitary pads is simple and easy. Follow the steps below;
Step 1: Lower Your Underwear
We assume you’re in the safety and comfort of your bedroom or the restroom.
Lower your underwear or undergarment to your knee area and remove the paper backing from your men’s incontinence pad.
Dispose of the paper backing appropriately in a trash can.
Step 2: Attach the Male Incontinence Pad to Your Underwear
The incontinence pad is similar to the female sanitary pad. It has a front adsorbent layer and a back adhesive layer. The front adsorbent layer should be facing up while the back adhesive layer should be lined along your underwear’s crotch.
Step 3: Smoothen the Incontinence Pad
Run your thumb along the middle of the incontinence pad so that the adhesive back attaches perfectly to the inside of your underwear. This step is essential to prevent slipping or shifting during your daily activities.
Step 4: Pull Up Your Underwear
You can now pull up your underwear and be sure that the incontinence pad aligns perfectly with your crotch.
If the incontinence pad does not fit well, lower your undergarment again and adjust the placement until you’re satisfied. – Don’t worry, this happens to most people than they care to admit.
How Often Should I Change Male Incontinence Pads?
You should change your incontinence pads every 3 to 4 hours to ensure a fresh feel. Changing your incontinence pad regularly helps prevent leakage, which could cause an embarrassing spectacle.
How to Remove Male Incontinence Pads
Once your incontinence pad feels full, or you feel uncomfortable in it, proceed to a safe space (preferably the toilet). Lower your underwear to the knee area and remove the pad by peeling it off your underwear.
Avoid flushing your incontinence pad down the drain, as this can be dangerous and can cause clogs. Instead, wrap the incontinence pad carefully and dispose of it in the receptacle or trash bin.
Follow the earlier described steps on how to wear an incontinence pad to replace your pad to feel safe and confident.
Types of Male Incontinence Products
There are many types of incontinence products. However, they can be classified under two broad categories of disposable and reusable incontinence products.
Disposable incontinence products are those designed for one-time use, similar to feminine sanitary pads. This incontinence product is good for people who suffer from heavy incontinence or those who do not want the stress of maintaining incontinence pads. These one-time-use incontinence pads can be costly and are largely less eco-friendly.
Reusable incontinence products may be washed and reused. They are typically made from natural products like bamboo and cotton and can be used multiple times. These pads can be washed (3 tips link) like any other type of laundry, dried, and reused. They are environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
The different types of incontinence products include;
- Bladder control pads
- Male guards
- Protective underwear or Pull-Ons
- Adult briefs
- Booster pads
- External or condom catheter
- Underpads
Bladder Control Pads
Bladder control pads are thin, absorbent pads for lighter bladder problems or urinary incontinence. This product has an absorbent layer made from a special polymer that absorbs liquid and locks it inside. The material is often breathable, keeping the skin clean and dry.
One major advantage of the bladder control pad is its discreetness. It is the smallest and lightest among incontinence products.
Male Guards
Male guards are the male equivalent of sanitary pads or sanitation towels. They function like regular female pads but come with a better design to accommodate the male’s anatomy.
Male guards often have a tapered end. They are small and discreet, like the bladder control pad, and handle a similar amount of liquid.
Male guards and bladder control pads are best for light incontinence.
Protective Underwear or Pull-Ons
Protective underwear is also known as pull-on. This product is designed to replace your underwear and fits snugly to the crotch and waist area. It is designed with a polymer layer, similar to other incontinence pads, and provides a greater absorbency than the male guards and bladder control pads.
The protective underwear also has a larger surface area to collect and trap more bladder incontinence during use. They are discreet and can be worn freely underneath clothes.
Adult Briefs
Adult briefs are similar to protective underwear or pull-on. They offer an extra layer of protection to people dealing with medium to heavy incontinence.
Adult briefs have the largest polymer, making them perfect for heavy incontinence or wearing over time. They are also perfect for both urine and fecal incontinence.
Similar to protective underwear, adult briefs are sleek and slim, making them perfect for everyday use.
Booster Pads
Booster pads offer an extra layer of protection to people dealing with incontinence. They boost the absorbency of the incontinence pads by providing an extra layer of protection to users.
Booster pads are perfect for use with other absorbent products; that is, they cannot be worn alone. You can combine the booster pads with adult briefs, protective underwear, male guards, or the bladder control pad.
External Catheter
External catheters are also known as condom catheters. This product is specially designed for collecting urine incontinence. Unlike other products, they do not absorb incontinence, instead, they collect the urine inside a bag.
The external catheter has three main parts; the external catheter, the collection tubing, and the collection bag. The external catheter is attached directly to the penis and the tubing carries the urine to the bag. The bag can be emptied and reused when full.
Underpads
Underpads are similar to panty liners used by women. They are soft, thin, and made from absorbent materials. They collect light incontinence and are available in disposable and reusable types. The disposable underpads are often more expensive because they are designed for one-time use, while the reusable underpads can be washed, dried, and reused.
