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Top tips to avoid leaky pants 


Leaky pants are an absolute nightmare. Incontinence pants are supposed to make you feel secure, and help alleviate some of the anxiety that comes with bladder weakness. The last thing you want is to leak through your pants and onto your clothing or furniture. If you’re experiencing bladder weakness, minimising urine leakage should be an absolute priority. You should be able to get out and about without feeling self-conscious or leaking through your nice new clothes. Half of the battle is about ensuring you follow the right tips to avoid leaky pants. Here are three of the most essential:

Buy incontinence pants that have anti-leak cuffs

Anti-leak cuffs are specialised barriers integrated into the design of the pants. They provide additional protection against leaks by creating a secure fit around the legs, preventing the escape of urine or bowel leakage. Made from soft and flexible materials to provide maximum comfort, this can give people enhanced confidence and peace of mind. 


Our anti-leak cuffs are a game-changer in the world of incontinence. If you’ve ever worn adult nappies before, you might have experienced some leakage in the leg area. Our specially designed anti-leak cuffs fit snugly around your body as an extra layer of security to give you unparalleled protection. Whether you are lying down, sitting, or standing our reinforced anti-leak cuffs provide twice the protection against leaks and are designed to fit the shape of your body.

Buy pants in the correct size and make sure they fit properly

Ensuring you get the right pants is one thing, but making sure they fit is important. The best way to do this is to look at the specific measurements of your preferred adult nappy or incontinence pads. With a measuring tape, ensure that you get accurate measurements of your waist and hip. When taking the waist measurements, it should be at the narrowest part of the waist, and the hip measurements should be at the widest part of the hips. You should also consider specific comfort and mobility needs. But whatever size you have, we span a huge range, from 2XS, XS, Small, Medium, Large, XL, and 2XL, so you will find the right fit.


It’s important you understand why sizing is so crucial when it comes to pants. If you go for a size that’s too big, you’re going to run into problems. Opt for a size too small, and you'll end up with problems there too. 


So, what are you supposed to do? The answer is simple: experiment with different sizes. Initially, this might not seem like a good idea, as it means a bit of extra spending. However, in the grand scheme of things, you’ll save some money and peace of mind. It could save you from the hassle of dealing with leaks or skin irritation down the road. Experiment with sizing up and down, try them on, and see which one fits you best.


What might happen if your pants are too big?


Leakage from the leg openings: This is exactly what we are trying to avoid! If urine seeps out, your clothes are going to end up wet and possibly smelly. 


Rustling and discomfort: Too much room around the waistline can lead to shifting or even chafing against your skin. If you’ve experienced chafe before then you know what I’m talking about, it’s awful. 


Visible bulky pants: Oversized pants may lead to unsightly bulges or sagging. This can be a bit of an issue for people who are still a bit embarrassed about their incontinence situation. While the conversation around incontinence is definitely getting better, there are still people out there trying to stay discreet, and that’s fine. If you’re one of those people, make sure you’re wearing the right size pants!


Odour management could fail: Quality incontinence pants have built-in odour control. However, if yours are too big, it might lead to odours escaping, leaking bad smells out into the air. Nobody wants to smell like wee!


What if your pants are too small?


Skin irritation: Perhaps the most common problem associated with pants that are too snug. Although our pants are made with super soft materials, tight edges can dig into your skin, causing discomfort and, in severe cases, sores.


Limited mobility: Excessive tightness can make moving around more difficult. If you’re going to be in these pants all day or night, comfort is really important. Being able to move around like you normally do will help you feel more like your regular self.


Difficulty putting them on: You might find yourself struggling to get them on, or adjusting them constantly, which defeats the purpose of their design. If you're experiencing difficulty, it could be due to them being too small.

Buy pants with the right absorbency for you

There's a huge range of products out there with different absorbency levels. Sometimes it's better to try out a few different options to see what works best. We see it all the time, people going straight for the most absorbent option even though they're only experiencing little leaks. Ok, you'll have the most security, but if you're not even coming close to filling them up before disposal, you could save big bucks by picking a smaller absorbency. If you're experiencing small leaks, why not try a discreet pad? 

 

That said, if you're experiencing big urine leaks, then you're going to need a big absorbency. If you're unsure, your best bet is to buy a couple of different sizes/absorbencies and try them on. You'll lose a little bit of money in the short-term on potentially a wasted pack or two, but in the long run it could save you money and give you better comfort!

What to do if my incontinence pants are leaking

If the incontinence pants are leaking, there are a number of steps you can take to address the issue: 

  • Check the fit and ensure the incontinence pants are the correct size and are fitted properly. If they are too loose or too tight, this will cause leaks. 
  • Change them promptly if you experience a leak, as this will prevent further leakage. 
  • Try a different type of product, because if the size is not right or it is not the correct level of absorption for your urine leakage, it's best to find the most effective solution for your personal needs.

The best disposable pants to buy

If you are experiencing urine leakage, get yourself a product that's friendly to your wallet and get's the job done properly. Vivactive provides a range of secure incontinence pants in a variety of sizes with unique features, including our Vivactive Pants Maxi Large which have features such as the TRIPLE LAYER LOCK™ to absorb liquids superfast, the active odour control technology turns any liquid into gel, fits like underwear, and are dermatologically tested.

Experiencing leaky pants can feel demoralising, which is why it's so important to choose the right types of incontinence pants or adult nappies that suit your needs, ensuring you keep your peace of mind intact.