How Do I Know If My Incontinence Pad Needs Changing?

Studies have found that up to 4 million people in the UK have some degree of urinary incontinence. That’s almost 10%.

Yet, still, there is a distinct lack of helpful information out there to help people manage their bladder leaks.

There are many ways you can lessen the impact bladder weakness has on your day-to-day life. One of these is knowing when to change your incontinence pad.

Most of them come with something called a ‘wetness indicator’.

For example, Vivactive Shaped Pads Maxi have a convenient wetness indicator that can be found on the outside of each pad. If the pad has absorbed liquid, a clearly defined blue line will appear on the outside. 

When the product absorbs urine the wetness indicator line on the back of the product will turn from yellow to blue.

Our guidance is for two thirds of this line to have changed to blue before the product needs to be removed. If there is any faecal incontinence in the pad then the product must be removed straight away.

Wetness indicators are a great feature and help with identifying when a pad needs to be changed. Knowing this means that potentially less pads are used with scheduled changes. 

There are some other signs that your pad might need changing. While the wetness indicator strip is a good start, you won’t always be in a position where it’s socially acceptable to check. Let’s dive into some more signs you might need to change your pad:

This one is the most obvious sign that its time to change your pad, but it’s also worth knowing why it’s so important.

You are likely to begin feeling some dampness against the skin when a pad has reached its full capacity.

It’s important that you try and change the product as soon as you can at this point, as prolonged use of an incontinence product at capacity may lead to skin irritation and discomfort.

If you find that your incontinence pads are leaking regularly or regularly reaching their max capacity you should consider reassessing your needs and purchasing a higher absorbency product.

Please also ensure the product is being fitted correctly if you are experiencing regular leakage.

Generally speaking, most modern incontinence pads are designed to “lock in” unpleasant odours; however, if you begin to notice any unpleasant smells, you may want to switch to a fresh pad. 

Changing your pads more regularly will help maintain freshness and minimise the worry of experiencing unpleasant odours, especially when you’re out and about. 

Whilst odours can happen at times, try to monitor any changes in the colour or smell of your urine. You may need to seek medical advice if you are experiencing a suddenly unpleasant urinary odour.

Above all, your incontinence pads should feel comfortable. If you’re experiencing continued discomfort, it could mean that your pad does not fit properly or has reached its capacity. 

If you find that you are developing rashes or irritated skin, it could be as a result of your skin being exposed to too much moisture. Consider if your current product is working for you and consider other options.

Ignoring feelings of discomfort can lead to more severe skin irritation, so make sure you intervene early if you or the person you’re caring for are feeling uncomfortable. 

For advice on how to fit your incontinence pad correctly, take a look at videos on how to guide you through the process, or ask your healthcare advisor and they will be able to offer you guidance.

When a pad reaches its capacity, you may experience some leakage. Whilst this can happen from time to time, it’s important this isn’t happening on a regular basis.

Leakage not only causes discomfort, but it can also have a massive impact on your mental health and your confidence day-to-day.

If you find your incontinence pads are leaking, you might be using the wrong size or require a higher absorbency pad. 

Switching out your incontinence pad can address immediate leakage, but in the long run, you might want to think about switching brands/products or moving up in your existing range.

Choosing the right incontinence pad for your needs might take some time or trial and error, but by doing your own research into a product's description and assessing your needs, you can make a well-informed decision. 

With so many brands on the market, it can be hard to know where to begin. But we would always advise you try and shop online for the best prices.

That’s where incontinence brands like Vivactive come in.

By cutting out unnecessary costs and keeping things simple, we make it easy to choose pads, pants, or guards that suit your lifestyle, without paying supermarket or pharmacy prices.

At Vivactive, our goal is to help you feel confident, secure, and comfortable, without the cost. If you’re experiencing leaks, check out our range of pads, disposable and washable pants to find the perfect solution for you.