Protective underwear (adult diapers)

For a number of varying medical reasons, some larger people have difficulties controlling their bladder and, in some cases, their bowels. When this is the case protective underwear or incontinence underwear can be the best solution and these garments are available in sizes that cater for the bariatric sector.

Most of those who suffer from bladder control are women, however these pants or diapers are also available in designs for the male anatomy.

Most protective underwear is designed to combat the problems of bladder weakness and it does so by combining an absorbent pad with the undergarment as a single unit. However some incontinence pants use a removable and replaceable absorbent pad.

In the case of incontinence underwear for moderate bladder weakness, the garment will normally have a body hugging fit that makes recognition (when fully clothed) impossible. Protective underwear of this type is comfortable and breathable and it is almost indistinguishable from regular underwear.

How adult diapers work

These garments work by using an absorbent core that is positioned in the area where the weakness may occur. This core absorbs the leakage and does not cause wetness to the skin or skin breakdown. The remainder of the underwear garment looks and feels normal and special odour control fabric technology prevent any accident from being detectable by others. Leaks do not occur with these garments provided that the wear guidelines are followed and the degree of bladder weakness matches the incontinence level of the pants, e.g. mild, moderate or heavy (severe).

This type of underwear often opens using side seams and comes in a range of different sizes to suit all. Many companies offering these garments have special bariatric versions that take into account the size and requirements of the larger individual.

Protective underwear is usually disposed of after use and is sold in packs containing multiple items, typically 8 or 10 per pack.

What incontinence pants do

The main features of incontinence pants (adult diapers) are -

• To prevent any leakage from soiling other items of clothing or escaping the immediate area.
• To keep the area feeling dry and comfortable without any skin irritation until the pants can be removed, replaced and disposed of.
• To prevent odours from escaping and retain the dignity of the wearer.
• To increase the wearer's sense of security and dignity and remove the stress and anxiousness that can sometimes be the cause of bladder weakness.

Types of incontinence underwear

Incontinence underwear comes in a range of formats. These include single wear disposable protective underwear, re-usable pants that have a pocket or pouch that can hold an absorbent disposable pad, and other variations like semi-disposable pants that can be worn a number of times before disposal.

Bariatric incontinence diapers differ from standard protective pants in that they are larger, have wider soft stretch panels for fit and comfort, and usually come with an enhanced performance that can deal with moderate to heavy incontinence. Bariatric adult diapers come in waist sizes of up to (and sometimes greater than) 94 inches. Larger sizes can often be obtained from medical facilities and clinics.

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