5 signs that your incontinence pants need changing

Bladder weakness and urinary incontinence affect millions of people across the UK every single day. A lot of these people are managing their symptoms with useful products like incontinence pants. But, not everyone knows when they should change their disposable pants. You might think the answer’s simple “You change it after every leak of course!” - but no, that’s not always true!

It might seem like a bit of a strange concept at first. But, think about it, if you’re wearing highly absorbent pants that can hold upwards of 2300ml of urine, you don’t need to change after a little dribble leaks out. The technologies in disposable pants nowadays are exceptional, they’ll eat up small leaks and lock them away, so your skin is dry and fresh. You only need to change out of the pants when the absorbent core is full. It’s worth mentioning though, that any faecal leakage means you’ll need to change disposables right away. By changing only when it’s really necessary, you’ll find that you start to go through packs much slower, saving you money in the long run. 

Knowing when to change your incontinence pants is a pretty important part of managing your symptoms. By knowing your products inside and out, you can get the most out of them, improving your experience and even getting better value for money. After all, knowing when to change them can help you to avoid accidents, discomfort and wet clothes. So, let’s get to the main point of the article. How do I know if my incontinence pants need changing? Let’s take a look: 

Leakage: Pants are made from cellulose fibres which quickly absorb fluid. However, when the absorbent pad is super-saturated, it can’t hold any more liquid. Once it’s full, any further urine is going to lead to leakage. This is perhaps one of the more obvious signs that you need to change your incontinence pants. In addition to leakage, you may feel as though your pants are wet/damp. You’ll want to avoid leakage at all costs

Wetness indicator: If you want to get a better understanding of when your pants need changing, a convenient wetness indicator on the outside will let you know. The yellow line turns blue and the blue line/writing will fade. When approximately two-thirds of the wetness indicator lines change colour, this is a sign that you should change your nappy. To be honest, this feature will probably benefit caregivers more than anyone. As a third party, you’ll be able to quickly determine if the person wearing the nappy needs changing or not. Definitely a must-have innovation for people working in care, or family members caring for a loved one. 

Discomfort: Incontinence pants like Vivactive Pants Maxi, have been designed using supersoft, comfortable materials. As such, any signs of discomfort, such as chafing, could be an indicator that you need to change your pants. If this is a recurrent issue, you may need to switch to a different size.

Unpleasant smells: One of the standout features of a good set of incontinence pants is their odour control technology. Disposable incontinence pants contain small pearls inside their absorbent core, working to lock in and neutralise the smell of urine. However, if you’re noticing some unwanted smells of urine or faeces it may mean you’ve been wearing your pants for too long. If you’re getting a whiff of funky odours and you’re sure it’s not the dog, give your pants a change and see if that solves the problem.

Overuse: While incontinence pants have massive absorbency capabilities, wearing them for prolonged periods of time without switching to a fresh pair could lead to health and hygiene issues. It’s important that once they’re full, they’re changed promptly. If the absorbent core is full, you’re more likely to experience leaks too. As such, you should ensure that you change your pants regularly, especially when soiled.

Visible changes to the pants: Sometimes, visual changes to the appearance of the pants, such as swelling, could be signs that they’re full and need changing. 

While changing incontinence pants frequently is important, you should also ensure that you dispose of them correctly. Removing them is usually fairly simple. Most good quality pants will come with tearable sides, so you won't need to faff around trying to pull them down and making a mess. You simply tear away the sides and off they come. Ideally, you should always roll the pull-up pants from the crotch area to the waistband. Then, holding on to both sides to prevent spillages, you should seal the used pants in a sanitary bag. This should be then knotted and placed in the bin.

• Never never flush pads and pull-up pants down the toilet. This can clog the toilet and lead to severe plumbing and water damage issues. 
• Always get rid of your pads and pull-up pants once they're fully filled to maintain hygiene and cleanliness
• Always wash your hands after disposing of urinary incontinence items
• Find a supplier that produces affordable incontinence items without compromising on quality. 
• Use specialised disposal bags, such as the Vivactive extra large incontinence nappy disposal bag.

While there are many different brands out there stocking these products, Vivactive pants are among the best-value. This is because they’re highly absorbent, comfortable and discreet, but they're a fraction of the cost of other big brands. 

At Vivactive we’re fully committed to providing our customers with the best products at the best price. All of our Vivactive branded incontinence products are specially designed using high-quality, market-leading materials that guarantee fast absorption, effective odour control and comfort you can count on. We’re a budget brand that packs a big punch when it comes to quality. 

Not only do we offer some of the best budget incontinence products around, but through a custom subscription, you’ll also be able to enjoy a 10% discount - on any order, every time! With an extra 10% off every time, those savings will soon stack up. Treat the grandkids (or yourself) to an extra ice cream - you’ve earned it.