How to correctly wear your incontinence pants

If you are about to start wearing incontinence pants for the first time, it’s very likely that you're wondering 'How do I wear my incontinence pants correctly?' and believe me, that's normal. Despite being designed to fit like regular underwear, for someone who hasn’t worn them before, the process might seem a bit daunting.

Not everyone is confident talking openly about their urine leakage, but it’s definitely becoming a less taboo subject by the day. You’re not alone, it’s estimated 300 million people around the world experience urinary incontinence, including 14 million adults in the UK. So at the very least, take some solace in the fact that there are loads of people out there going through the same thing.

So, in this quick incontinence pants fitting guide we will provide some top tips for wearing your incontinence pants so that you're fully clued-up when it comes to getting them on. 

First of all, you'll want to make sure you're in a decent set of pants. Choosing a brand like Vivactive guarantees quality, at a super-low cost. The entire Vivactive ethos is built around providing premium quality pants that rival (and sometimes beat) the biggest name brands, but at a cost that’s easy on your wallet. We understand that incontinence isn’t something you choose. Incontinence items aren’t luxury goods that you can just do without, they’re necessary to live a normal life with dignity. So, why should you be forced to pay big bucks for them on the high street? Supermarkets and pharmacies are far more expensive. Do your wallet a favour and switch today. 75% that try Vivactive products don’t switch back, which speaks volumes!

You must also select the right size. To do this, you'll need to measure your hips and waist before looking at the sizing guide on your chosen pants. Don't forget that different brands carry different sizes, so always check the product specs before settling for a size.

Why is sizing so important? If you’re wearing pants that are too big you’re more likely to leak. If your pants are too small, you might experience chafe and extreme cases, sores. Neither is ideal, so make sure you’re in the right size. If you’re unsure, why not buy a size up and a size down to try them on? Admittedly it might cost you a bit extra, but in return, you’ll be able to rest easy knowing you’re in the right size.

It is also important to pick the right absorbency level. The average person urinates 6-7 times daily and the volume of urine passed can vary greatly. Luckily we offer a huge range of brands with absorbency levels to suit every need. From small discreet pants to big heavy-duty pants, we’ve got it all! There is a significant difference between low-absorbency and high-absorbency incontinence pants, especially as the wrong choice can lead to leakages or discomfort.

There are several types of incontinence products on the market, with the most popular including adult nappies, disposable pants and incontinence pads. Disposable and washable pants are the closest to a regular pair of underwear. The main difference is that they have a higher waist than many types of standard pants.

Whether you're wearing a male, female, or unisex product doesn't matter too much. The process of wearing them correctly is the same, and is as follows;

1. Fold the incontinence pants lengthways until the anti-leak cuffs are up and activated.
2. Check that the sticker is at the back (buttock side) as you lay the pants down.
3. Step into the incontinence pants as you would any other pair of underwear.
4. Pull them up until they are above the waist and slightly below the belly button.
5. Adjust them for comfort, paying attention to your waist and groin.
6. Confirm that the incontinence pants are secure and the inner pad is positioned well.

Putting the incontinence pants on is truly that simple. You can also confirm that they are on right by checking that the inner pad is a little higher at the back end compared to the front. 

If you are wondering “What happens if my pants aren’t fitted correctly?”, the answer is chafing and leakages. Nobody wants those. So, completing the simple steps above should be done each time you wear incontinence pants.

When worn correctly, incontinence pants will absorb urine without leakages. However, it’s important that you dispose of them correctly, you know, for hygiene reasons.

You can either slide them down like a standard pair of underwear or rip them from the side. The elasticated materials are easy to rip if you pinch them and pull down from the seams. Finally, you should roll them up and dispose of the product as per local hygiene and product disposal guidelines.

It’s worth noting that you should never flush your used incontinence products unless it says specifically on the packaging that they’re flushable. There’s a lot of people out there flushing their pads and pants away, causing themselves huge issues and bringing on big plumbing bills. Always put them in the bin.