8 Steps for Choosing the Right Incontinence Products18 July 2024 People can feel shame about incontinence, please feel reassured bladder problems can be an issue at any age, for any gender and any walk of life. From preschoolers who still have urinary accidents, those with medical issues, mums with recovering pelvic floors, to menopausal ladies and senior gents. With all the different types of incontinence products out there, choosing the right one for you can be a little overwhelming. With the right products, you can maintain comfort, hygiene, and confidence. Whether you’re considering reusable options like Cheeky Wipes pads and washable pants or disposable products, this guide will help you navigate the choices and find what works best for your needs. Your Doctor can help you to understand the type of incontinence you have - Stress incontinence –Urine leaks when your bladder is under pressure - coughing, laughing, running, jumping. Urge (urgency) incontinence – Urine leaks with a sudden, intense urge to urinate. Often called latch key incontinence. Overflow incontinence (chronic urinary retention) –When you're unable to fully empty your bladder, causing frequent leaking. Total incontinence –When your bladder cannot store any urine at all causing you to leak urine in large volumes constantly. 
When choosing incontinence protection we think of 3 main incontinence definition levels. Incontinence varies from light leaks to full bladder loss. Determine the level of absorbency you need by evaluating your daily experience. Mild Incontinence: Occasional drips or small leaks. Not everyday, perhaps only at the end of a run or when you jump around: or if you have a coughing or laughing fit. Moderate Incontinence: Frequent leaks that require regular changes. Needing protection most days Heavy Incontinence: Significant, everyday leaks of large volume that may require high absorbency products. 
Most reusable incontinence products can not hold a full bladder full of liquid or absorb it quickly enough to prevent leaking. They can be used in addition to disposable products. Understanding the types of products available is important for good incontinence management. Reusable Pants - These are washable undies made from cotton or bamboo that look and function like regular underwear. They have a built in PUL layer of paper thin waterproofing. Cheeky Wipes have 17 different styles of reusable incontinence pants. For light incontinence any can be used but we recommend looking at heavier absorbency for moderate bladder weakness to feel secure. Cheeky wipes are an eco friendly choice that help avoid irritation and reduce your carbon footprint. "These are the best and most comfortable heavy duty pee pants! They bring comfort and peace of mind. I no longer need expensive and difficult to dispose of pads! Thank you, Cheeky!" Anne, Trustpilot July '24 Reusable PadsWashable incontinence pads popper into your underwear gusset and can be switched easily when out and about. There are pads made with bamboo, cotton, or fleece topped. Cheeky Wipes have specifically designed charcoal impregnated pads to help with odours. 
Disposable PadsSingle use plastic wrapped pads with layers of absorbency, they stick into your underwear and need to be thrown into the household waste. Often made with super absorbent polymers that lock in large amounts of urine. Disposable PantsFor heavy / total incontinence these may be your best option. They can be bulky but should prevent any leaks. They are similar to nappies and can help those with constant leaks to lead a relatively normal life. Dispose of them in your household waste and need to go to landfill. Different incontinence products suit different situations. CostReusable options have a higher initial outlay but will save you money long term. It is costly to need multiple disposable pads everyday. Buying reusable pads or pants means you can be washing, wearing and storing without running out. No getting caught short! By following washing and care guidelines reusable incontinence products will last for years. OvernightYou may find pads that just line the gusset are not long enough overnight, Cheeky pee pants have front to back waistband protection so you can feel secure no matter which position you sleep. No need to worry about pad placement. Out and aboutChanging underwear when you are at work or on a day out can prove tricky so opt for pads or use our side opening absorbent pants for quick changes. Odour controlIf you have little leaks that dry and start to smell before you can change opt for charcoal impregnated pads and carry a few wet cheeky wipes with you in a mini wetbag to freshen up. Pelvic Floor TrainersIf your Dr or health care provider has told you kegel exercises might help with bladder training you could buy a pelvic floor training aid to strengthen your pelvic floor. Bed ProtectorsFor heavy incontinence, or for youngsters who are dry 9 nights in 10 you might want to add a layer of protection to the bed. Bed pads are quick to remove without disturbing bed sheets and can be layered if you need more than one overnight. Mild - Choose a few different options to suit each 'need'. If you only have leaks on long runs opt for some Feeling Sporty heavy pants to wear with leggings. If you need a no VPL option go for Feeling Sleek under a tight dress. Moderate - Feel confident in heavy absorbency Feeling Fearless bamboo pants and pair them with Fearless pads for ease of use when out of the house and to have less worries about odours. Incontinence boxer shorts are a great option too. Heavy - Side opening pants to backup your heavy duty disposable pads. Makes changing out and about much easier and can catch anything that runs behind or in front of the pad. 
If sustainability is important to you, reusable products like Cheeky Wipes pads and pants are excellent choices. Some disposable products are now being made with eco-friendly materials and processes. Testing a few different products can help you decide before investing in larger quantities. Cheeky wipes have a happiness guarantee that allows you to buy ONE pair of pants and ONE pad that can be refunded if they aren't working well for you - no need to return them. Whether you choose Cheeky pants or disposable options, the right choice should help you to live comfortably and with confidence against leaks. If you found this blog helpful you may like to read our blog - 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 works in the Customer Experience team at Cheeky Wipes, which since 2008 has been selling the original reusable wipes kit. She is mum to three and loves walking in the forest and swimming year round in the sea! Cheeky wipes were recognised with a Queens Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development in 2021, celebrating their hard work over the last 13 years. | 
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