Incontinence pads or feminine hygiene pads?

Many people may be incorrectly using feminine hygiene menstrual pads for urinary incontinence protection. While these pads may look very similar and provide area coverage that is similar, they do in fact provide very different types of protection and serve a different purpose. The question is which is best or simply put - incontinence pads vs menstrual pads?

Incontinence pads are also commonly known by many different names including bladder control pads, liners, urinary pads, and incontinence shields. These pads are designed with varying degrees of fluid absorption capabilities. The protection level is provided by the materials and fabrics used in the manufacturing of the pads as well as the size of the pad. Technology has improved in many of these areas that allow the use of materials such as superabsobent microbeads that provide superior absorbency while minimizing pad thickness and size.

Feminine menstrual pads, or sanitary napkins, are designed specifically to absorb blood that is slow or in a trickle. Incontinence pads are designed specifically to absorb and provide protection and peace of mind with involuntary loss of urine. They are simply not designed to handle the chemical make up and composition of urine.

Incontinence pads also are designed absorb and disperse urine quickly. They also help provide odor control associated with urine as well as the fluid absorbency. The structure of the pads helps keep skin dry and healthy by pulling the urine away from the skin into the pad core.

There are pads available specifically for men, women or either. Some pads have adhesive strips or patches to held the pads in place where protection is needed most and some do not have adhesive and are held in place simply by special undergarments or underwear. There are even pads known as booster pads that are designed to be used with other incontinence products to increase their absorbency and reduce changing of protective underwear or adult diapers.

In conclusion, feminine pads are designed specifically for use in the absorption of a slow trickle of blood for the female menstrual cycle. Incontinence pads are designed to accommodate the faster flow and absorption, as well as the chemical composition, of urine. Both are designed for unique purposes and specific kinds of protection. Your best option for urinary incontinence protection is an incontinence pad is designed specifically for this need.