Important points to consider
Although bladder and bowel problems are often invisible to others, they can affect all aspects of your life, and managing them is not always straightforward. They are intimate problems that many find embarrassing, and they can affect the way you feel about yourself and the activities you are willing to take part in.
It is important to find the products and methods that are the best for you, and that enable you to get on with your life with the minimum of difficulty. Research has shown that people are best able to manage bladder or bowel problems when they are able to make choices about the products and methods they use, often using different products at different times or for specific activities. 1234
Personal preferences are important when it comes to finding the products that are the best for you. Don’t be afraid to say what your preferences are when talking to your health care professional. They are there to work with you for the best possible outcome for you.
Remember, you have to live with your bladder or bowel problem, not your health care providers, helpers or the product manufacturers!
Product preferences
This website provides information about the wide range of products available. You can use the Product advisor to find out which types of products may suit your needs, or go to Products for Women or Products for Men.
Although there may only be a few product “groups” (pads, devices, catheters, toileting aids), within each of those there are several different types or designs, and within those there are often many different manufacturers or brands.
Once you have discovered which products are available to you, your personal preferences will be important in deciding which are best for you. And this may depend on several factors and your own priorities. For example:
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Ability to contain leakage – Not surprisingly, most people consider a product’s ability to contain leakage to be the most important factor. 2
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Reliability – A product that fits well and stays in place is more likely to work well and less likely to leak onto outer clothing. The way they are held in place, body shape, activities and many other factors can affect how well products stay in place. While some products work well for some people, for others they do not.
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Discreetness – Most people do not want others to know that they are wearing a pad or other product. So in some circumstances you may prefer to use a product that is very discreet, even if this means that it does not contain so much leakage and must be changed more often. At other times, perhaps at home, it may be easier to wear a less discrete product that needs to be changed or emptied less often. 1
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Comfort - How products feel when worn is an important issue for users. With pads , heat and perspiration can be an issue because of the necessary waterproofing. Wearing pads can lead to rubbing of the skin and consequent chafing, especially in mobile people and when the product does not fit well. Finding products that are suitable for different times and activities can help. Similarly, people have different preferences in the ways urine collection bags are held in place and where they are worn.567
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Ease of use - You may find that some products are easier to use than others. Finding products that are suitable for different times or activities can help.1 For example, pull-up pant style pads may be very easy to put on, but if you are wearing trousers these must be removed before changing, which may be difficult particularly if you are out and about.
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Materials – Some people may be allergic to materials used in products such as latex, or may develop an allergy with prolonged use. This can be a problem with sheaths, although non-latex sheaths are also available. Some people prefer different materials for other reasons. For example, pads that have breathable nonwoven outer layers in which the waterproof element is restricted to the area of the absorbent core, because they may cause less heat and perspiration. However, others find that these products are more likely to move around because the nonwoven materials can stretch and can cause friction with outer clothing. 56
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The way products look – You may find that you prefer the look of one product to another. For example, some products look more “medical” than others. Efforts have been made to make pull-up absorbent products that look more like normal underwear.5
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Extra features - Some products are supplied with ‘add on’ features that may make them more appealing to you. For example, some catheters are supplied in kits that include water for activating a lubricant coating, a bag for urine collection and other products come in discreet packaging or with a bag or other container for ease of carrying.
Tips from product users
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