Tips for Purchasing the Right Incontinence Briefs

After finding out that you have incontinence, you have to make a few decisions. One such decision is figuring out which type of incontinence protection you want to use. The two main choices are padded briefs and catheters.

If you choose to go with briefs, your decisions on the subject won’t stop there. You still need to figure out which type will work best for you. In order to do that, you’ll need to review some tips for purchasing the right set of incontinence briefs.

Choose Between Standard and Pull-Ups

Before you start looking into the features you want for your incontinence briefs, you need to decide on which type you want: standard or pull-ups. Standard incontinence briefs open from the sides, which makes them a bit easier to take off. On the other hand, incontinence pull-up briefs function more like a regular pair of underwear. This typically leads to a much more comfortable wearing experience.

Focus on Overall Comfort

Speaking of comfort, this is one of the most important features to consider. If your incontinence briefs don’t feel comfortable, you won’t want to continue wearing them. Your briefs should hug your waist and legs snuggly without putting too much pressure on them.

You’ll also want to make sure they feel breathable on your skin. Briefs that are not breathable can have a negative effect on your skin’s overall health.

Make Sure It Seals Well

The one factor that may conflict with comfort is how tight the openings are for sealing up your briefs. You want the edges to be tight enough that urine or odors don’t seep out but not so tight that your skin becomes clammy or your circulation is cut off. There’s a middle ground that achieves all these things, but you might have to do some experimentation to find the perfect pair.

Choose the Right Amount of Absorbency

Of course, no list of tips for choosing the right incontinence briefs would be complete without looking into the amount of absorbency your briefs provide. This is a critical factor in the process. If you choose a pair that isn’t absorbent enough, you will be more likely to experience leaks. However, if you pick a pair that’s too absorbent, you’ll be overpaying for a level of protection you don’t need.

As a general rule of thumb, if you only experience minor leaks, a lower absorbency rating will work for your needs. If you know there will be times when you need additional protection, it’s best to pick a more absorbent option.