Should I wear my normal underwear over the product?
Which incontinence products can be used for bowel incontinence?
Are there products available in extra large sizes?
Why do I experience leakage with some products?
Bladder Control Pads
Will a bladder control pad be visible through my clothing?
Are there bladder control pads designed just for men?
Which side of the pad goes against my skin?
What is "super absorbent polymer" (SAP)?
How often should I change the product?
What is the difference between these products and a sanitary pad?
How can I make this pad stick better?
Are there different kinds of bladder control pads?
Do these pads help control odor?
Who can wear this product?
What is it shaped like?
How is it worn?
How much liquid does it hold?
I like the wide pad, but I don't need the length. Can I cut it in half?
Guards For Men
What is the difference between bladder control pads and the Guard for Men?
What is it shaped like?
How is it worn?
Why is there only one or two pair(s) of belts in a package of 30 undergarments?
Can I wash the belts?
Can I pull it up and down like a "pull-up"?
How long are the belts?
Can I buy more belts?
Is there a front and back of the belted undergarment?
Who can wear this product?
How much does it hold?
Beltless Undergarment
Why would I use a non-belted undergarment?
Is there a front and back of the undergarment with adhesive strip?
Who can wear this product?
How much does it hold?
One-piece "pull-on" products
What are one-piece disposable products?
What is protective underwear?
How is protective underwear sized?
Who can wear protective underwear?
Adult Briefs
How do I determine what size brief is the right size for me?
How much urine will the brief absorb?
How do I tell which side is the front and which is the back?
Why can't I get the tapes to stick?
Are there different kinds of briefs?
Who can wear this product?
Q. Should I wear my normal underwear over the product?
A. You must wear either your regular underwear or reusable incontinence underwear when wearing pads with adhesive backing.
With more complete products - such as belted undergarments - it is up to the individual if he or she wants to wear their regular underwear over the product. For some people, wearing underwear in addition to the incontinent product provides an added sense of security.
Q. Which incontinence products can be used for bowel incontinence?
A. Both disposable and reusable briefs provide the most complete protection available and are designed to handle heavy urinary and bowel incontinence. In addition to maximum absorption, these products have the containment capacity necessary to manage bowel incontinence.
Q. Are there products available in extra large sizes?
A. Our disposable underwear and briefs are available in Extra Large sizes. If you cannot find the size you need, call the number on the bags and Customer Service will be able to help you find the size you need at the store in your area.
Q. Why do I experience leakage with some products?
A. Any product will leak if it is worn too long or if the amount of urine voided into the product exceeds the product's capacity, which is determined by its absorbency level.
Make sure you change the product frequently and that it fits well. If you're wearing a brief, be certain to measure your waist and hips to help you choose the correct size. If you are using the correct size but continue to experience leakage, consider moving up to a product with a higher absorbency level.
Q. Will a bladder control pad be visible through my clothing?
A. It depends on the type of pad, but generally a pad will not be visible beneath loose-fitting clothing.
Q. Are there bladder control pads designed just for men?
A. Yes. The Guard for Men (which is labeled as such) features a cup shape that fits men's anatomy better than neutral insert pads or pads designed to conform to a woman's body.
Q. Which side of the pad goes against my skin?
A. The soft, absorbent side goes against your skin. The backside of a bladder control pad is usually a smooth plastic or other waterproof surface. The waterproof outer layer keeps liquid from leaking out of the pad.
Please check the directions that came with the product for more specific information.
Q. What is "super absorbent polymer" (SAP)?
A. SAP is a powder-like substance used in most disposable incontinent products. When wet, SAP transforms into a gel that locks fluid inside absorbent padding to keep moisture away from the skin and prevent liquid from leaking out of the pad.
Q. How often should I change the product?
A. Products should be changed frequently to avoid skin irritation and breakdown. The absorbency level will determine the amount of liquid it can hold, so that will also influence when you should change the pad.
Q. What is the difference between these products and a sanitary pad?
A. Sanitary pads are designed to absorb menses, which is thicker than urine and is both excreted and absorbed at a slower rate. Incontinence pads have a specially designed cover (the side closest to skin) and materials inside that are specifically designed to pull urine away from the skin as it absorbs the liquid.
Bladder control pads will stay drier, can be used longer, and hold more liquid than sanitary pads. While some wearers believe they are saving money by buying sanitary pads, they are most likely changing pads more frequently and therefore not realizing a significant economic benefit.
Q. How can I make this pad stick better?
A. Be sure to press the pad firmly into your underwear. Sometimes, if enough pressure is not applied, the pad will not stick and will shift in your clothes. This may be uncomfortable and can result in leakage.
For men using an insertable pad, it is recommended that you wear briefs and not boxer shorts. Briefs provide more support and surface area, so the adhesive can stick and the pad is more likely to stay where you position it.
Q. Are there different kinds of bladder control pads?
A. Yes. The main difference between each one is the combination of length and absorbency level. You should look for the absorbency that can most efficiently handle your amount of urine leakage, and the length that provides the coverage you need.
Our product is designed so that you have this choice. First pick the absorbency level you need (Very Light, Light, Medium, Heavy or Maximum) and then choose either a regular length or long pad.
Q. Do these pads help control odor?
A. Yes. Our pads are designed to lock wetness into its core to help keep odor from escaping.
A. Bladder control pads are used by active women with incontinence levels ranging from very light to moderate.
A. It can be either a straight-sided or lightly contoured pad, similar in shape to a sanitary pad.
A. Bladder control pads look a lot like sanitary pads and are worn in a similar way. The adhesive peel strip on the back is removed, then the pad is pressed firmly into underwear, adhesive side down.
Q. How much liquid does it hold?
A. Bladder control pads come in a range of absorbencies that can hold anywhere from 1/4 - 1 5/8 cups of urine.
Q. I like the wide pad, but I don't need the length. Can I cut it in half?
A. No. It is not recommended that you cut any incontinence product. The special materials that absorb the urine may spill out onto your clothing and skin and may cause irritation.
Q. What is the difference between bladder control pads and the Guard for Men?
A. The shape. The Guard for Men is designed to maximize men's comfort and to minimize leaks.
A. In addition to being cup-shaped, it is also wider and longer in the front than in the back.
A. It is inserted into the underwear (briefs, not boxer shorts) with the adhesive side facing down. The cup-shaped part is designed to conform to the testicles for maximum comfort.
Q. Why is there only one or two pair(s) of belts in a package of 30 undergarments?
A. The elastic belts are washable and reusable.
A. Yes, the belts are intended to be washed and reused.
Q. Can I pull it up and down like a "pull-up"?
A. Yes. But you must be careful not to rip the buttonholes, or the pad will fall down. If you are interested in a pull-up product, consider trying a one-piece undergarment such as Slip-OnTM undergarments or protective underwear.
A. The belts for undergarments measure around 11.5 inches. They stretch to fit waist sizes from 32 to 54 inches. The undergarments themselves come in only one size because the belts help make the product fit a large range of sizes.
A. Most manufacturers of disposable belted undergarments will assist you in purchasing additional belts for a small fee. Look for a telephone number on the bag of undergarments you are using and call that number for assistance.
Q. Is there a front and back of the belted undergarment?
A. No. The belted undergarment can be worn either way.
A. Both active or sedentary men and women experiencing a heavy loss of bladder control can use this product.
A. 1 1/2 - 2 1/4 cups of urine, depending on absorbency level.
Q. Why would I use a non-belted undergarment?
A. If belted undergarments are too tight or uncomfortable, you may want to try the beltless undergarment. An adhesive strip on the back makes the undergarment adhere to your underwear.
Q. Is there a front and back of the undergarment with adhesive strip?
A. No.
A. Men or women who want a full-length pad with moderate absorbency.
A. Up to 2 cups of urine.
Q. What are one-piece disposable products?
A. These are heavy-coverage products that can be pulled on like regular underwear. There are two types of pull-on protection available: the Slip-OnTM undergarment and protective underwear.
Consumers report that they find these types of products easy to use. Instead of securing with tape, "hook & loop" fasteners, or buttons, one-piece products feature an elastic waistband attached to each pad.
Tear-away sides lets you remove the product by either tearing down the sides along the perforation or simply pulling down and stepping out like with underwear.
Q. What is protective underwear?
A. This product is closest in design to real underwear. When wearing protective underwear, you have more complete coverage than with undergarments because the hip areas are covered also.
This one-piece, pull-up product looks most like underwear and offers nearly as much protection as a brief.
Q. How is protective underwear sized?
A. There are two sizes. Small/Medium fits approximately 34"-46" hips (28"- 40" waist) and Large fits approximately 44"-54" hips (38"-50" waist).
Q. Who can wear protective underwear?
A. Protective underwear is designed for men and women experiencing heavy urinary incontinence. It can hold as much as 2 cups of urine.
Q. How do I determine what size brief is the right size for me?
A. Generally, men purchase by waist size, and women by hip size. Sizing will vary according to manufacturer and will be listed on the packaging. Briefs are available in Small, Medium, Large and Extra Large sizes.
Q. How much urine will the brief absorb?
A. Briefs are designed to hold the amount of fluid normally released over an 8-hour period. They can generally be expected to hold between 3 and 4 1/2 cups of urine.
Briefs are also the only incontinence product designed for bowel incontinence.
Q. How do I tell which side is the front and which is the back?
A. When you first open the brief, the side where the tapes are attached is the back. This side should be placed behind you. The tapes are then fastened across the front of the brief.
Q. Why can't I get the tapes to stick?
A. Generally, there are three reasons why you might have trouble getting the tapes to stick:
1. If residue on the hands such as lotion, cream, or ointment get onto to the tape, it will be difficult to get the tape to stick to the diaper.
2. Tapes that have already been fastened once may not refasten multiple times.
3. If the brief is too small, it may be difficult for the tape to stay in place. In this case, the consumer may need to purchase a larger size.
Q. Are there different kinds of briefs?
A. Yes. There are briefs, overnight briefs, and supreme briefs. Consumers should look for the features they feel will provide the greatest comfort and protection.
A. Men and women who have total urinary bladder loss and/or bowel incontinence.