Breaking Down the Stigma of Incontinence
Incontinence is a common condition that affects people of all ages. Living with incontinence can be challenging and often requires making some lifestyle adjustments.
But with a bit of help and the right interventions and support you can overcome the challenges of incontinence. The best place to start, to understand what’s going on, is by consulting your GP to obtain an accurate diagnosis. From there you can develop the most appropriate treatment and support plan for you which could be as easy as a few simple changes in your daily routine.
What is incontinence?
Incontinence is the inability to control urination or faecal release from the body. This simply means there are times when you are unable to control the passing of urine and/or bowel motions. It may be temporary or long term. Some people get leakage when they laugh, cough, or sneeze. Doctors call that stress incontinence. Others feel an unexpected sudden urge to urinate. That’s called urge incontinence.
Though it happens mostly to women, it can happen to anyone at any age and although people who have it may not talk about it, it’s more common than you think, impacting one in four New Zealanders.
What products are available?
There are several products available to manage incontinence and help individuals maintain their comfort and dignity. There is everything from pads, pull ups and reusable underwear to disposable swimwear for bowel incontinence.
Continence products can provide some relief for people affected by incontinence, enabling their daily life to be more comfortable. However, you should always seek medical advice from your GP or health professional.
Which product is right for me?
Here's a brief look into a sample of continence products available and their features and benefits. To view the full range of continence products click here.
Pads
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Advance® Breathable Shaped Padsprovide an effective solution for moderate to heavy incontinence. The product offers high levels of absorption whilst ensuring great comfort and the feeling of dryness for the user. The unique design features of the Advance Breathable Shaped Pads mean that active users can have full confidence in the product. Advance Breathable Shaped Pads are anatomically shaped for comfort and performance. They are made to be used specifically in conjunction with Advance Fixation Pants. |
Tena for MenTENA for Men is anatomically designed with a cupping shape that tucks snugly inside the front of most firm-fitting underwear and has an adhesive strip on the back that sticks to the fabric to ensure it stays in place. It has a Fast Dry Core that locks away fluid and prevents odours from developing. |
Advance® Breathable Padsprovide an excellent solution for moderate to heavy incontinence. They are anatomically shaped for comfort and manufactured to stringent standards using high quality super absorbent polymers (SAP). The Advance Breathable Pads are designed to keep the skin dry and maintain the skin integrity by providing fast and even absorption. The Velcro type side tapes can be re-adjusted as many times as required and placed on any part of the pad ensuring a secure fit. |
Pull-ups
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Advance®Breathable Pull-up Briefsare for users with light to moderate incontinence. They are easy to use, fully elasticated and anatomically designed for a comfortable fit, very similar to conventional briefs. Ideal for users with active lifestyles as they prolong independence and can be worn with confidence even for those who may experience occasional bowel incontinence. |
MoliCare Mobile®Pull-up Pantslook and feel like normal underwear and offer the highest level of leakage protection. Features include the tear open seams for easy changing and a soft textile-like backsheet for greater comfort. Its three way protection system gives MoliCare Mobile extra-strong leakage protection. The unique DryPlus non-woven layer locks liquid away rapidly to keep the skin comfortably dry. |
Washable & Reusable
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The Conni Kalven Mens Boxerhas a soft lining, absorbent up to the waistband, front and back, to remain dry and comfortable. With waterproof and breathable fabric the user will not become hot or clammy. Our Conni incontinence pants are machine washable and reusable for countless washes making them more cost effective and kinder to the environment than disposables. Perfect for use after prostate surgery, the undergarment provides the support needed during the post-operative phase. The absorbent section of our incontinence pants restricts the stretch and you may wish to purchase a size larger than your every day underwear. |
The Conni Chantilly Womens' Briefis constructed from cotton elastane and features pretty stretch lace in front of the leg opening. The waistline sits comfortably just above the hips with a slightly lower cut leg. The Conni Chantilly has soft lining; is absorbent to the waistband both front and back for extra security and features waterproof; breathable PUL so the user will not become hot or clammy. Our incontinence underpants are machine washable; cost-effective and kinder to the environment than disposables. Our womens' incontinence underwear is designed for light incontinence. The absorbent section of our incontinence pants restricts the stretch and you may wish to purchase a size larger than your everyday underwear. |
Conni Classic Full womens Briefis simple but feminine; using snug fitting cotton elastane which is a popular choice for all ages. The waistline sits comfortably on the hips and the leg opening is a medium cut. The Conni Classic women's incontinence underwear has soft lining; is absorbent to the waistband both front and back for extra security; and features waterproof; breathable PUL so the user will not become hot or clammy. Our Conni incontinence pants are machine washable and reusable making them cost-effective and kinder to the environment than disposables. Our women's incontinence pants are designed for light incontinence. Absorbancy level 350 mls over a 4 hour timeframe. |
Swimmates Disposable Swimwear
Swimmates® Disposable Adult & Youth Swimwear are designed to be worn under a bathing suit to provide containment for bowel incontinence. Ideal for aqua therapy or any day in the pool.
Providing dignity, confidence and discretion. Feel confident and secure, enjoy the water, and experience the advantages of buoyant exercise without the worry of embarrassment.
Designed to have minimal swelling and does not break apart. Blue moisture-proof barrier and Kufguards® (inner leg cuffs) help contain bowel incontinence, keeping the pool and bathing suit clean. Wide range of sizes to fit most youth, teen and adult swimmers. Latex-free.
To view the full range of continence products click here.
If you need continence support or advice, or aren't sure which products might be best for you or someone in your care, please contact us.