Can Period Panties Be Used for Incontinence?

Although most common in women over the age of 50, urinary incontinence can occur at any age. When it happens, it is important to find the right leak-proof protection to ensure that you remain dry all day without that bulky feeling, so you can go about your life feeling confident and ready to take on the world.

How to Deal with Urinary Incontinence

Many people find that incontinence damages their self-confidence, and they don’t feel fully able to relax and be themselves. Fortunately, the first and biggest step toward dealing with urinary incontinence (after making sure it’s to be expected with your doctor) is finding the right incontinence underwear.

While pads and adult diapers are often uncomfortable and damaging to our self-esteem, period underwear and incontinence underwear is not. They look exactly like your normal underwear, and feel very similar too. They are also much more likely to keep in those little leaks than pads, which can shift and leave you feeling insecure.

What is the most absorbent incontinence product?

Assuming that you have heavy urinary incontinence, the most absorbent incontinence products are adult pull-up underwear designed for overnight, 8-hour leak protection. As practical as these are for some, this type of incontinence product can cause embarrassment, even if they only need to be worn overnight. Thankfully, there are more and more brands (like us!) designing much more attractive and comfortable incontinence products in the form of washable incontinence underwear for a range of incontinence levels.

What is incontinence underwear?

Incontinence underwear looks much the same as underwear you wear every day, except they are made with a waterproof lining and a built-in ‘pad’ that can absorb liquid. Our leak proof underwear for incontinence is machine-washable so you can use it time and time again. It is available in various absorbency levels, styles, and colors.

Is incontinence underwear better than pads?

Incontinence underwear is much more discreet than wearing an incontinence pad as there is little to no bulk! It simply looks like regular underwear. Wearing pads for long periods of time can make your skin sore as the materials of incontinence pads can be rough against the most sensitive area of your body. Incontinence underwear is made of much softer materials that can mold to the shape of your body, making for a much more comfortable, body-friendly product.

Washable incontinence underwear is also much better for the environment than pads. Typical incontinence pads need to be disposed of after maybe only a few hours of being worn, going straight into landfill. When looked after properly, incontinence underwear can last for a number of years before they become ineffective, both reducing the impact on the environment and saving you money on needing to buy pads regularly.

What is the best underwear for incontinence?

Incontinence underwear comes in the form of adult diapers, pull-up underwear, or washable panties. Although adult diapers and pull-up underwear is good underwear for heavy incontinence, where you have little control, they are generally unattractive due to a large amount of bulk and can make you feel self-conscious no matter what you’re wearing on top. Much like pads, these products are also disposable so they negatively impact the environment, and they can be costly if you are purchasing them on a regular basis.

On the other hand, washable panties look the same as normal underwear so, with no added bulk, you will never feel embarrassed. With absorbency options to fit your incontinence level and different styles depending on what makes you feel most comfortable, washable panties are the best incontinence underwear for light to moderate urinary incontinence.

If you’re looking for incontinence underwear to support you so you can go about your daily life, Proof washable incontinence underwear is the reusable underwear for urinary incontinence that allows you to feel strong and feminine, regardless of life’s mishaps.

What are 4 Types of Urinary Incontinence?

There are four main types of urinary incontinence: stress incontinence, overflow incontinence, overactive bladder, and functional incontinence. While you may have just learned the different types of urinary incontinence, we’ll bet that—regardless of the type of urinary incontinence you’re experiencing—you’re probably frustrated and uncomfortable. 

#1. Stress incontinence
Most commonly, individuals, specifically women, suffer from stress urinary incontinence. The interesting thing about stress incontinence is that it’s not caused by emotional or mental stress. A physical strain on the bladder—for example, being overweight or going through childbirth—is typically what causes stress incontinence.

#2. Overflow incontinence
Similar to a glass or cup, your bladder can only hold so much urine. In some cases, your body may produce more urine that it can store; in others, you may have been holding urine in for quite some time. As a result, your bladder may leak urine. This type of urinary incontinence is more common in men, and it may be associated with prostate problems.

#3. Overactive bladder
We all know someone who seems to constantly need a pee break (and maybe it’s you!). Individuals who feel a frequent urge to urinate may have an overactive bladder. With this type of urinary incontinence, bladder muscles can contract and make us feel like we need to urinate, even if we have an empty bladder. An overactive bladder may be caused by physical problems or bladder infections.

#4. Functional incontinence Functional incontinence is often a result of other diseases, such as arthritis or dementia. Diseases such as these may hinder your ability to get to the restroom, and as a result, you may have accidents.

Urinary incontinence affects men and women, but primarily women. The most obvious sign of incontinence is bladder control issues resulting in accidental urine leakage. While you may be embarrassed and want to understand the different types of urinary incontinence symptoms on your own, you may need to contact a medical professional.

Signs of Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence may be inconvenient and affect your quality of life, but it’s not a disease in and of itself. However, it can be a symptom of an underlying problem. To identify the underlying issue, you may first need to determine whether you actually have urinary incontinence. Here are some signs of urinary incontinence:

- Frequent and uncontrollable urge to urinate
- Urine leaking during exercise
- Urinating as a result of sneezing or coughing
- Frequent urination Leaking bladder regularly

What Is the Most Common Type of Incontinence?

The most common type of incontinence is stress incontinence. Earlier, we introduced stress incontinence and mentioned that it mainly affects women. If you are experiencing leakage of urine while exercising, coughing, sneezing, laughing, lifting objects, or other common bodily movements, you may have stress incontinence.

What Happens if Incontinence Is Left Untreated?

Neglecting our health can affect our quality of life. If you are experiencing urinary incontinence, you should seek medical attention. Urinary incontinence may be a sign that you have a more serious condition. In some cases, treatment may not be urgent, but if you want to improve your quality of life faster, we advise that you seek medical attention. Urinary incontinence that goes untreated may cause loss of sleep, depression, and a diminished sex drive, which can affect relationships. Some ways that urinary incontinence can be diagnosed include:

- Bathroom journals
- Urine testing
- Bladder ultrasound
- Urodynamic testing
- Cystoscopy

Does Drinking More Water Help Incontinence?

If you are experiencing urinary incontinence, you might be avoiding drinking water, thinking it will only result in leakage. However, drinking more water can actually help individuals experiencing urinary incontinence. Dehydrating yourself may cause urine to be more concentrated and more irritating to the bladder. If you are scared to drink water for fear that you may have an accident, try the following approach:

- A few hours before bed, cut off your water intake
- Before going to bed, use the bathroom
- Frequently sip on four- to eight-ounce cups of water throughout the day

Women suffering from urinary incontinence should also consider wearing leakproof panties. As humans, we aren’t leakproof—but luckily, our panties can be. When you think of leakproof underwear, you may imagine a bulky, crinkly, diaper-type situation. Think again! For sleek, comfortable, and ultra absorbent panties, visit Proof. With a 60-day leak-free guarantee, you can get the proof you need that our panties really work.

Can Incontinence Be Corrected?

Incontinence doesn’t have to rule your life. While anyone can experience urinary incontinence, older women are most vulnerable. The good news is that incontinence can be managed. Wearing leakproof panties may provide temporary relief from incontinence while allowing you to live your day-to-day life as you please. You may even feel as if your incontinence is cured by Proof leakproof underwear, but you should still seek medical attention.

How to Manage Urinary Incontinence

Whether you have an official diagnosis or not, you can take steps toward managing urinary incontinence. The treatment recommended for incontinence usually depends on the type of incontinence you have. It can also depend on underlying conditions and causes. In some cases, doctors may recommend less invasive treatments to start, and those treatments may work well enough that you feel cured. Here are some ways that you can manage urinary incontinence:

- Bladder training: Oftentimes urinary incontinence can cause you to feel the urge to use the restroom. This can be exhausting, especially when it’s happening every 10 minutes. If you are getting frequent urges to urinate, you might want to try delaying your trip to the restroom. Sounds stressful, right? When you’re practicing bladder training, it can be especially comforting to wear leakproof undies.

- Fluid and diet management: Certain foods or liquids may be making urinary incontinence worse. You may want to try cutting back your consumption of alcohol, caffeine, or acidic foods. While you will want to drink water regularly, you should avoid chugging large amounts of water at once. Water consumption should be steady throughout the day. In some cases, losing weight may help reduce the severity of urinary incontinence.

- Wear leakproof undies: You may think this is not an option—how will you ever hide an adult diaper under your work slacks? But when we say leakproof undies, we’re not referring to adult diapers. We’re talking about breathable, buttery soft microfiber panties with a multi-layer Leak-Loc system that provides invisible protection. Available in leakproof briefs and period thongs, Proof offers leakproof panties designed for bladder leaks.

Can Pelvic Floor Exercises Cure Incontinence?

What are pelvic floor muscles? The pelvic floor muscles are a group of ligaments that make up your pelvic region. For women, the pelvic floor is the group of muscles, nerves, and ligaments that support the bladder, rectum, and reproductive organs. In men, the pelvic floor is the muscles that protect the bladder, rectum other organs in the pelvic region. Though it may be more common in women, men are also capable of developing pelvic floor weakness. In fact, as many as 1 in 8 men have issues with their pelvic floor.

Pelvic floor weakness is treatable with exercises and without the need for surgery. Most exercises can be done at home. Some people find it helpful to seek a physical therapist in addition to at-home exercises. A physical therapist can help with a treatment called biofeedback. It has helped over 75% of people to strengthen and retrain their pelvic muscles.

Leakproof underwear
When you experience pelvic floor weakness, one of the most concerning things you deal with daily is keeping your underwear dry. Leakproof underwear provides day or night protection without the need for frequent changes or leaks. They are incredibly comfortable to wear and discrete under clothing with no-show edges.

Other benefits of our leakproof underwear include…

- Designed to help you feel fresh and dry.
- Buttery-soft and designed to move with your body.
- Feature Leak-Loc® technology.  
- Comfortable

Symptoms of pelvic floor weakness in women

Pelvic floor muscle weakness symptoms include but are not limited to:
Frequent urge to urinate
Painful urination that is not related to a UTI
Painful intercourse
Bowel difficulties
Pelvic muscle spasms
Lower back pain

Exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor:

Kegels
As with most things, practice makes perfect. Once you become familiar with kegel exercises and how to properly do them, you will learn many can be done at home, day or night. When you do kegel exercises, you engage the same muscle as you would when pausing urine midstream. It is often similar to trying to hold in your gas. The goal is to activate this muscle by tightening the muscle around your vagina and anus (identical to stopping yourself during urination or holding in gas) for a few seconds and then releasing it. Kegel exercises can be done as often during the day as you feel comfortable. The goal is to do this kegel exercise in 10 or so increments. So contract for a few seconds, then release a few seconds, and so on. It is important to note that kegel exercises should never cause extreme discomfort or pain. If this is the case, it is essential to reach out to your general practitioner.

Healthy diet and exercise
Maintaining a healthy diet and weight is essential when strengthening your pelvic floor. The more weight you carry, the more pressure is pressed down on your pelvic floor. Also, regular exercising is essential and activates your ab muscles. Be careful when heavy lifting as it can contribute to pelvic floor weakness.

Yoga
Yoga works to stretch and strengthen all muscles of your body, not just your pelvic floor. Specific yoga poses, such as downward-facing dog, target your pelvic floor muscles. Yoga has the ability to improve women's pelvic floor strength while decreasing their bowel incontinence.

Benefits of pelvic floor exercises
Having a weakened pelvic floor can be inconvenient and painful. If not strengthened, it can cause many health issues, such as bowel incontinence and constipation or even pelvic organ prolapse. It is very beneficial and relatively easy to strengthen your pelvic floor by doing exercises. Some exercises can even be done while driving or watching television on the couch.

Can Proof be used for incontinence?

Of course! Proof underwear has been specifically designed to deal with life’s leaks, whether that just be a sprinkle of moisture or a larger ‘accident’. All of our undies are made with breathable, leakproof materials and designed with Leak-Loc™ Technology to prevent all liquid from escaping. Proof underwear uses moisture-wicking linings that work to draw moisture away from the skin and into the absorbent middle layer to ensure that you are always comfortable and dry.

Our Heavy and Super-Heavy solutions are especially perfect for moderate incontinence with leakproof technology built-in to the front, back, and gusset of the panties which will keep you completely dry all day long.

Proof underwear even helps to fight back against odor with a safe antimicrobial treatment that inhibits the growth of bacteria. Unlike other period and incontinence products, the antimicrobial treatment is actually woven into the fabric, rather than simply sprayed over the top, so that it can never be washed out or become ineffective over time.

Learn more about our patented Leak-Loc™ technology on our How It Works page.

How often does incontinence pads/underwear need to be changed?

This is really up to your body and the absorbency level of the underwear you’re wearing. Proof underwear is designed to be comfortable enough for all-day wear and it will remain leakproof for as long as you need. Many women use one pair during the day and change to a clean pair overnight, although, if you have light incontinence, you can be comfortable in the same pair of Proof undies from one morning right the way through to the next. Because our underwear is anti-microbial, you can comfortably wear them all day long.

Can stress cause incontinence? What causes stress incontinence?

Though it has the word “stress” in the name, stress incontinence is not related to psychological stress. Stress incontinence happens when physical movement or activity — such as coughing, laughing, sneezing, running, or heavy lifting — puts pressure (stress) on your bladder, causing you to leak urine.

What is overflow incontinence?

When the bladder is too full, resulting in leaks or dribbling, you may be experiencing overflow incontinence. This can happen because you’re overproducing urine or you’re unable to empty your bladder.

What causes overflow incontinence?

Overflow incontinence happens when the bladder doesn’t empty properly and leaks out. This occurs when the bladder never empties properly and fills up more quickly due to the residual volume. You may find it difficult to start to pass water, and even when you have started, the flow is weak and slow. You might find that you dribble after you have finished passing water. Perhaps you dribble urine all the time, even without noticing.

What is an overactive bladder?

Overactive bladder (OAB) is the name for a group of urinary symptoms. It is not a disease. The most common symptom is a sudden, uncontrolled need or urge to urinate. Some people will leak urine when they feel this urge. Another symptom is the need to pass urine many times during the day and night. OAB is basically the feeling that you’ve “gotta’ go” to the bathroom urgently and too much.

What causes an overactive bladder?

Overactive bladder describes a combination of symptoms that can include a frequent urge to urinate and waking up at night to urinate. Causes can include weak muscles, nerve damage, use of medications, alcohol or caffeine, infection, and being overweight. It can also be a result of pregnancy and childbirth.

How long does an overactive bladder last?

More often than not, OAB is a chronic condition. It can get better, but it may not ever go away completely.

How can I stop my overactive bladder?

To start with, doctors often recommend exercises such as kegels to strengthen pelvic floor muscles and give you more control over your urine flow.

Are Proof leak protective undies good for pregnancy?

Yes!

We’ve curated a collection for pregnancy with non-restrictive, low-rise silhouettes to accommodate a growing bump and leak-protective core to keep you dry and protected without added bulk. The absorbent core helps with any little leak that accompanies pregnancy - whether it’s discharge, sweat, or a little bladder leak from when baby kicks your bladder (it happens to us all!).

What is the best style of underwear for pregnancy?

Pregnancy comes with a lot of changes - a growing bump, extra sweat, and even unexpected leaks. We designed a collection of underwear specifically for pregnancy to keep you comfortable and dry for the whole nine months (and beyond!).

The best underwear for pregnancy have a non-restrictive, low-rise silhouette which accommodates for a growing bump and widening hips. Breathable stretch fabric is super important, as well, to move with your body as it changes. Last but not least, we designed our collection of maternity underwear with added protection for your peace of mind. Proof maternity underwear feature a range of built-in leak-protective linings that pull moisture away from the body - whether it’s sweat, discharge, or light bladder leaks that accompany pregnancy.

What size should I order in Proof maternity undies?

Our maternity collection features multi-way stretch fabric and non-restrictive waist bands to accommodate for that beautiful bump! Most mamas find they are comfortable in their typical size - but when in doubt, check out our size guide for a perfect fit.

Are Proof leakproof undies washable?

Washing Proof maternity underwear is easy! Proof undies feature strong protection, but should be washed gently. Simply toss in the washing machine on a delicate cycle, using cold water and mild detergents. Hang or lay flat to dry. No washing machine? Hand washing in cold water with a gentle detergent works great, too!

More helpful tips to care for your pair:

-Don’t wring or twist your undies - be gentle when washing Proof
-Hot water, harsh detergents, and bleach can damage the absorbent technology in Proof undies, so be sure to use cold water and mild detergent
-Hang or lay flat to dry - do not put in the dryer
-Proof undies have a super absorbent core that can take between 6 and 24 hours to dry. Heavier absorbency pairs have more layers of absorbent material, and will take longer to dry than our light pairs. To expedite the drying process, blot away excess moisture from the gusset before laying flat or hanging to dry.
-Want a refresh? To make your period undies fresh and remove any lingering odor, use a few drops of vinegar or tea tree oil during the rinse cycle of your wash - voila! So fresh and so clean.

Where can I buy incontinence underwear?

If you’re looking to buy the best leak-proof underwear for incontinence, Proof has got you covered. At Proof, you can shop by Absorbency, Leak Type, or Style to that you can be sure to find the best fit for you no matter what your needs are. We recommend buying enough Proof undies so that you have 1 or 2 pairs for during the day (depending on your incontinence level) and 1 pair to wear overnight. You can even Build a Bundle of 3, 5, or 7 pairs and save up to 20% on your perfect Proof undies.

Dealing with urinary incontinence can be a difficult thing for many women as it often makes them feel self-conscious and can never fully relax due to fear of a potential leak. Using period panties for incontinence from Proof is the perfect solution to both these problems. With attractive, comfortable designs and Leak-Loc™ technology, you can attain all-day dryness no matter what life throws your way.

Sources:
Continence Foundation Of Australia. Pelvic floor muscles, https://www.continence.org.au/about-continence/continence-health/pelvic-floor
The Conversation. Men have pelvic floors too – and can benefit when they exercise them regularly, https://theconversation.com/men-have-pelvic-floors-too-and-can-benefit-when-they-exercise-them-regularly-184451#:~:text=Though%20pelvic%20floor%20problems%20are,pelvic%20floor%2C%20bladder%20or%20bowel
Cleveland Clinic. Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14459-pelvic-floor-dysfunction
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National Association for Continence. Kegal Exercises, https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/lifestyle/what-are-pelvic-floor-exercises/#:~:text=Strengthening%20your%20pelvic%20floor%20muscles,from%20doing%20pelvic%20floor%20exercises
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Advanced Gynecology. Can Yoga Help Strengthen Pelvic Floor Muscles? https://www.advancedgynecology.com/2022/can-yoga-help-strengthen-pelvic-floor-muscles/
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In Touch NYC. Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy Tools & Techniques, https://itnycpt.com/pelvic-floor-pt-tools-techniques/
Hopkins Medicine. Urinary Incontinence in Women: What You Need to Know, https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/urinary-incontinence/urinary-incontinence-in-women#:~:text=Over%2025%20million%20adult%20Americans,stress%2C%20functional%20and%20overflow%20incontinence
Mayo Clinic. Stress Incontinence, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stress-incontinence/symptoms-causes/syc-20355727#:~:text=Stress%20incontinence%20happens%20when%20movement,not%20related%20to%20mental%20stress
Mayo Clinic. Urinary Incontinence, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-incontinence/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352814
Cleveland Clinic. Overflow Incontinence, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22162-overflow-incontinence
Mayo Clinic. Overactive bladder, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/overactive-bladder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355715
Cleveland Clinic. Functional Incontinence, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24858-functional-incontinence
OASH. Urinary Incontinence, https://www.womenshealth.gov/a-z-topics/urinary-incontinence#:~:text=Urinary%20incontinence%20is%20not%20a%20disease%20by%20itself NIH.
Symptoms & Causes of Bladder Control Problems (Urinary Incontinence), https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-control-problems/symptoms-causes
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