Finding the Right Product: Why Menstrual Pads Won't Cut It

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If you're dealing with an overactive bladder or bladder leakage, it can be a little difficult to adjust. That can include everything from planning your day around finding the nearest bathroom to figuring out what product you should be using.

The answer a lot of women have is to keep using the same feminine pads they always have. They soak up liquid, they go in your underwear, and you're used to them. So, why use something new? Well, even though they may look similar, menstrual pads won't do the same job as a bladder control pad.

What you want is a product that uses both: the cotton to pull liquid away from your skin and the synthetics to keep you dry

For starters, they're designed to deal with different liquids. In general, menstrual pads are built to deal with blood, while incontinence pads deal with urine. Unlike blood, urine, which breaks down to form ammonia odors and can cause skin irritation and damage. Incontinence pads are built to help prevent the formation of ammonia. Menstrual pads are typically not.

Secondly, the rate at which they have to absorb the liquid is very different. During your period, menstrual fluids tend to trickle out at a slow rate. During bladder leakage, urine comes out a lot faster. This means that incontinence pads have to be able to absorb liquid a lot faster than just a normal menstrual pad.

So, if menstrual pads aren't going to work for bladder leakage, what should you use? In general, there are three categories of options:

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  Bladder Control Liners

  These are for the lightest bladder leakage. They are incredibly thin, go right in your underwear, and work best for just a few drops or dribbles. So, if your bladder leakage generally doesn't involve that much leakage, then these are for you.

• 

  Bladder Control Pads

  These are best for moderate leakage. Just like panty liners, they go in your normal underwear, but they do have a little more protection and absorbency. So, if you don't have any trouble getting to the bathroom on your own, but sometimes pee a little before you can get there, then these are for you.

• 

  Protective Underwear

  These can come in a lot of different forms, but they give you the heaviest level of protection and odor control. If you're taking care of someone who can't make it to the bathroom on their own or can lose bowel control through the night, these are your best option.

Within each of these categories, though, not all products are going to be the same. The big difference comes in what materials they use: either natural cotton or synthetic fibers. What you want is a product that uses both: the cotton to pull liquid away from your skin and the synthetics to keep you dry (no matter how much is absorbed). So, once you've decided what type of product is right for you, make sure you're getting the right materials. If you're not sure, you can look at the back of the box. Or you can just look out for the Dri-Fit^™ logo. If it shows up on the package, then you know you're getting both.

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