Size: The size of the pad can make a difference in how much protection they provide. If the pad is not large enough, a person may roll off of it, or it may not cover enough of the bed to be effective. The charity Bladder & Bowel UK gives independent advice on products that can help manage bladder and bowel problems. However, tampons can be used occasionally, when necessary, to prevent leaks. For example, during exercise. Appliances and bedding

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. Incontinence pads and other products and devices can make life easier for you if you're waiting for a diagnosis or for a treatment to work. For even greater peace of mind, you can double-up on protection by combining washable or disposable bed pads with body-worn options, like incontinence pads and pull-up pants. Find your perfect fit and style from our range of absorbent products, and sleep through the night, safe in the knowledge that you’re fully protected through to the morning. Discover our incontinence productsHow well it stays on the mattress: Some companies design their sheet protectors with grips so that the pad stays in place. The most popular incontinence products are absorbent pads that are worn inside underwear to soak up urine. Mattress protection sheets - these pads and sheets fit beneath the standard bed sheet, providing a layer of protection. Some have a thin, waterproof layer, while other protectors have an integral layer of absorbent padding.

You may be able to get incontinence products on the NHS depending on your local integrated care board (ICB). Ask your GP for details of your local continence service. To qualify for NHS products you may need to be assessed by a healthcare professional. Where to buy incontinence products 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

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If you have mild to moderate incontinence you can buy thin, discreet pads or pull-up pants for men and women from many supermarkets and pharmacies. Although sheet protectors can protect the sheets, mattress, and a person’s skin, they cannot treat incontinence itself. A person who finds that they are frequently leaking during the day or night should talk with a doctor about possible causes and treatment options. Woodley S, et al. (2017). Pelvic floor muscle training for prevention and treatment of urinary and faecal incontinence in antenatal and postnatal women.

Washable bed pads - these can be used and washed a number of times before they need to be disposed of. Placing the clean, new pad halfway on the bed, roll the pad to meet the part under your loved one. For example, if your loved one is turned on to the left side of the bed, the new pad will be flat on the right side of the bed with its other half rolled up behind your loved one. 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.

Discover our incontinence products

Disposable bed pads - available in various sizes and levels of absorbency, these pads are designed to be thrown away after use. A variety of incontinence bedding is also available, such as washable bed pads that sit on top of the mattress and soak up any overnight leaks. The pads stay dry to the touch and they can be useful for trips away from home. Can I get incontinence products on the NHS? Other useful incontinence products for more severe leaks include urinals (devices that collect urine), or sheaths and drainage systems (if you have a penis).

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) does not recommend using tampons for the routine management of urinary incontinence in women. 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. lifestyle changes, including managing one’s weight, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and drinking less caffeineSheet protectors can help a person with incontinence avoid nightly sheet changes and help prevent damage to the mattress. Not all sheet protectors have the same features, however, which can make it difficult to decide which mattress will work best for a person. 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.