Embarrassing, but what is the best type of incontinence pads??

[DrCristinaYang]

Posting here for traffic.
Basically I've been having issues with urge and stress incontinence for a while now and it's getting worse. I usually have at least one "accident" a day. Not full bladders but a fair amount.
I would like to use pads to feel more confident and secure what are the best kind??

Not sure. But have you seen a pelvic floor physio? Google gussie grips who is a mumsnetter her website is fab for advice on this. Improvement is very possible

I'm trying to build up the courage to visit my GP about it but I'm too embarrassed. I'm only 20 and haven't had any kids so don't understand what could be causing it.

Please go. Write them a letter and give them it first if that would help. Very very common. Easily fixed in many cases with pelvis floor physio exercises.

But you have to do them daily 3x a day and do them properly which can be hard. But they work.for many many people.to completely stop it/vastly improve.

You need to see a doctor about this because, to be frank, it is not normal for an otherwise healthy 20 year old to have incontinence. It's embarrassing for you but they'll forget about it as soon as the next person walks through the door.

Different incontinence pads work for different people - just buy a bunch and see what works best for you.

Always discreet are very good. I hope you get it sorted out

You absolutely should go and see someone about this, it does not have to be your normal :)

In the meantime I would recommend Minivivi washable incontinence pads which are incredibly thin and absorbent, and super soft with no plastic!

Minivivi

I'm with you on this OP, but mines physocological. I'm only 23, suffer severely with anxiety, my anxiety is based around not being able to get to a toilet when I need to, having an accident, people hearing me go to the toilet. I hate all aspects of it.

Were due to drive to France in August and I'll be nearly 20 weeks pregnant. I know that my anxiety, and the pressure on my bladder will cause me issue. Especially spending days out with my family as I'm too embarrassed to tell them the extent of my worries.

I'm genuinely thinking of investing in adult nappies just so I feel safe

Please get yourself checked out. I waited far too long to get help when I first got symptoms of ulcerative colitis, because I was embarrassed. Once I got diagnosed a lot of the fear of the unknown, and the embarrassment went away. As has been said, it isn't normal to have urinary incontinence at your age. It could even be a urinary tract infection. Take care.

Go and see the GP. They won't bat an eyelid.

If pelvic floor exercises don't sort it, try for two weeks going without tea, coffee, coke, chocolate and alcohol, and see if that has any effect.It's a bit of a Lose-Lose - if it does have an effect you need to carry on with it forever - but if it does work the effects can be dramatic, potentially stopping the incontinence completely.

As to pads - use as heavy as you need. Start with, say, 3-4 "drips" and see how it goes. Incontinence pads are said to be better for urine than sanitary pads (I suspect they may put the bulk of the padding a bit further forward), but you may feel less embarrassed putting sanpro in your trolley.

Tena is the leading brand, but supermarkets do their own brands which are as good. They'll be next to the sanpro.

Definitely see your GP

But I've tried a few different types and Always Incontinence pads have been the best -bought on amazon

The doctor won’t bat an eyelid.
Please don’t delay going, you shouldn’t have to put up with this without medical help.
My daughter, who is an adult, uses ID Expert pads. They come in different sizes and absorbency, but they are quite bulky.
My daughter has CP and is totally incontinent, so her pads need to contain a full bladder of urine. If you are experiencing smaller leaks or releases, they are probably overkill.
I hope you get it sorted soon.
I understand the embarrassment but it’s illogical and there really is no shame in it.

Do not start pelvic floor exercises until you've seen a physio. You can see one privately and skip the gp part, they've seen everything.
My problems started young and pre kids. I have a hypertonic pelvic floor, every squeeze I did to try and fix things made everything worse! Took me years to get the courage to be seen. Just do it, don't waste your youth worrying like this.

I used Tena pants when I had issues a few years back. Mine were caused by an operation, and I have recovered now.

They were very comfortable and I didn't feel self conscious in them at all.

But, as pps have stated, you should go to the GP. You are very young to have these sorts of issues.

Always discrete pants..... they don't scrunch up like pads can when they are stuck to your underwear.

I used to work as an auxiliary nurse in an incontinence/urodynamics clinic and there is no "typical" woman who walks in through the door. Everyone starts off very nervous and embarrassed but of course medical staff are used to seeing incontinence in women (and to a lesser extent men) and want to help fix it! There is lots that can be done!

@PoppingOneOutIn2020 I also had this phobia, you can message me if you want to chat. I saw a hypnotherapist which helped somewhat.

Giggle knickers are very good, washable pants. I've tried various brands of absorbent pants and these are by far the best.
I'm waiting for my physio appt now, just been cancelled and rescheduled for a few months time. Definitely go and see the GP, there are things you can do!

Another one saying you should visit your GP. Have you always had this or has it come on recently ? I know an awful lot of people who have a certain degree of in continence but in the main they have had children and are also generally around menopause age. I don't think it is usual for a 20 year old so I would get professional advice.

In the meantime Always pads are nice and small - just like sanpro.

Thanks all for your replies,
Shiny, it has been going on for a year or so now. At the beginning it was only smaller leaks but now it's definitely larger amounts and can wet my trousers.
On a few occasions I have completely lost control on the way to the toilet and ended up stood in a puddle

The sooner you see a GP and get treatment, the better your prognosis.
Given your age it may well be that you actually have a UTI and a simple course of antibiotics could sort you out.

I have urge issues myself due to an over sensitive bladder nerve, am 29, no kids, get recurrent UTI's, and a medication called oxybutinin has helped massively. It relaxes the bladder nerve so it doesn't ping off messages to your brain that you're desperate full bladder bursting when your bladder wall starts to stretch.
The number of times previously i'd barely make it to the toilet, for there to be literally an egg cup full of fluid in there if that, it's no way to live, and pads get expensive. It's not really the healthiest environment for your intimate area either to be constantly stuck to a sanitary pad unable to breathe.

It takes the average patient with continence issues 5 years to see their doctor, usually as the symptoms are getting progressively worse.

Around 1/3 to 1/2 of women will suffer from some form of incontinence at some point intheir life, it is really common and the doctor will have seen and heard it all before so many times, and will do so afterwards too.

Check out period pants. They are awesome for weak bladders. I got mine from cheeky wipes but mobi do them.

Always not tena (they clump)

This is a reliable company to deal with, and they sell samples at around 30p-40p each.

Basically the choice is between stick on pads, heavier pads, pull ups (pants) and slips (also called all-in-ones). Slips are good for people needing excellent security at night and sleep on their side.

Absorbencies quoted are tested in a laboratory, actual absorbency in actual use is somewhat less. Tena and Abena (more expensive than Tena) are my preferred brands. If the choice is non-sticky pads, you also need stretchy net knickers to keep them in place; these are vile in hot weather, so uncomfortable.

I second the advice to see your GP, you're very young to need these unless you've had an injury or illness. Back problems like lumbar stenosis could cause this problem, is serious and needs diagnosis by MRI scan

HTH.

Edit: Sorry, I should have said, period pants aren't really suitable for incontinence even if it's mild. The differences in volume and flow rate are too great.

I buy the "super plus" or "extra plus" own brand from Aldi or Home Bargains.
They're about a pound for 8 and work for me.
I have horrendous leaks, if I laugh, cough, sneeze, or even move sometimes! (in spite of 30 years of faithfully doing my pelvic floor clenches)