More about small washable pads

• Small washable pads are a unisex (for men and women) product sometimes called 'insert pads', 'liners' or 'shields'.

• They are usually shaped and have a waterproof backing, unless they are to be used in combination with other products.

• They are designed to be worn close to the body and secured in place by close fitting stretch pants or underwear.

• They are designed to be washed and reused up to approximately 100 times.

How well do they work?

Very little is known about how well small washable pads work for men. A research study undertaken with women suggests that these pads might be worth trying if you:

• have very light bladder leakage and would prefer a washable as opposed to disposable product

• want a pad ‘just in case’

• are in a situation where leakage of the pad doesn’t matter hugely (e.g. at home)¹

• It can sometimes be difficult to keep a small washable pad securely in place. This is particularly an issue for men. As the end of the penis can move and therefore the point of leakage alters, a small pad may not provide the best coverage. A disposable leaf is likely to be a better design.

• Unlike disposable products, there is no adhesive strip and stretch pants can be fiddly to use. More robust stretch pants are available which you may find hold the pad in place more securely.

Other FAQ's

Which absorbency pad do I need?

• Small washable pads are only suitable for men with the very lightest, drip-type bladder leakage e.g. leakage that might be contained with something as small as a women’s panty liner.

• They are unlikely to be suitable for you if your loss is heavier than this or you experience ‘gushing’ or ‘flooding’.

• How much you leak can be quite difficult to determine.

Click on People for help working out how heavily you leak.

I have bowel leakage, which pad should I use?

• If you have bowel leakage it is unlikely that washable pads will be suitable for you.

Click on Pads for more information about washable pads and bowel leakage.

Click on Faecal Devices for information about other suitable products for bowel leakage.

Will I have difficulty putting them on or taking them off?

• Men generally find small pads easy to manage. Small washable pads don’t have an adhesive strip or wings; however, they do need to be securely fastened in underwear if they are to stay in place.

• You may be able to try putting the pad into a specially designed pouch pant but this can also be fiddly.

• If you can stand, even for short periods then small washable pads can be quite easily put in place by a helper.

• If you are lying in bed they can be put in place by a helper if you can roll from side to side.

• They will be very hard to change in a sitting position unless you can lift your bottom off the chair and move from side to side lifting one buttock off the chair at a time. It might take some practice with you and your helper to find a system that works for you both.

Are there any disadvantages to using small washable pads?

• These products do not perform as well as the other types of products for light incontinence so there is a high risk of leakage from the product.

• They are very likely to move out of place allowing urine to leak onto clothing.

• The surface material (in contact with your skin) is generally made out of polyester. Although this material is regularly used in clothing, like any fabric you could have sensitivity to it.