Published 27 April 2026 · Last updated 25 August 2026
How Common Is Incontinence?
Incontinence affects over 14 million people in the UK, yet it remains one of the least talked-about health conditions. It is not an inevitable part of ageing, and in many cases it can be treated or significantly improved. However, while you are managing the condition, the right products make an enormous difference to comfort, confidence, and quality of life. This guide covers the main product types and how to get them.
Types of Incontinence Product
Disposable pads and liners: The most common product. Available in light (for occasional drips), moderate (for small leaks), and heavy absorbency levels. They fit inside normal underwear with an adhesive strip. Brands like TENA, Drylife, and iD Expert are widely available. Costs range from £3-10 for a pack of 10-30 depending on absorbency.
Pull-up pants: Disposable underwear that looks and feels like normal pants but has built-in absorbency. Easier to use than pads, especially for people who are active or have dexterity issues. Available in discreet designs that are barely visible under clothing. From £5-15 for a pack of 10-14.
All-in-one (wrap-around) products: For heavy or total incontinence, these wrap fully around the body and fasten with adhesive tabs, similar to a baby’s nappy but designed for adult comfort and dignity. They are used mainly by people who are bedbound or have limited mobility. Packs cost £8-20 for 10-20 units.
Washable pants and pads: Reusable fabric underwear with a built-in absorbent layer. They look like normal underwear and can be washed in a standard machine. More environmentally friendly and cost-effective over time, though the upfront cost is higher (£10-25 per pair). Brands like Conni, Vivactive, and Kylie are popular in the UK.
Bed and chair protection: Waterproof mattress protectors, bed pads (disposable or washable), and chair pads protect furniture and bedding. A washable bed pad costs £10-25 and can save a mattress from damage that would be far more expensive to replace.
Getting Products on the NHS
Many NHS continence services provide free pads and pull-ups to patients who have been assessed. Contact your GP for a referral to the local continence service, or ask your district nurse. The NHS typically provides a set number of products per day based on your assessed needs. If you need more than the NHS allocation, or prefer a specific brand, you can top up with products bought privately.
Skin Care and Hygiene
Prolonged contact with urine can cause skin irritation, soreness, and infection. Use a barrier cream (like Sudocrem or Cavilon) to protect the skin. Change pads promptly after each episode. Use pH-balanced cleansing wipes rather than standard baby wipes, which can disrupt the skin’s protective barrier. If skin becomes red, broken, or sore, speak to your GP or district nurse as this may need treatment.
Discreet Disposal
Scented disposal bags designed for incontinence products are available from most pharmacies and supermarkets. They seal in odour effectively. Some councils provide additional bin collection for medical waste if you use a high volume of disposable products, so check with your local authority.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between absorbency levels?
Products are rated by how much they hold, usually shown in millilitres or as a droplet scale, and buying too absorbent is as much of a problem as buying too little because bulk affects dignity, fit and skin. Match the product to the actual leakage rather than to worst case anxiety.
Can I get incontinence products free on the NHS?
Sometimes. Continence services vary by area, and where a supply is provided it usually follows a continence assessment and is capped at a number of products per day. A referral is worth pursuing anyway, because assessment often finds a treatable cause rather than a permanent one.
Are pull ups better than pads?
They suit different situations. Pads inside close fitting underwear are discreet and cheaper for lighter leakage. Pull ups are easier for somebody who is being helped to dress and are harder to remove for a person who fiddles with them. Neither is more dignified in the abstract.
How do I protect the skin?
Change promptly, wash with a pH balanced cleanser rather than soap, dry without rubbing, and use a barrier cream sparingly and only where it is needed. Most skin damage here comes from moisture and friction over time rather than from a single episode.
What can I do about the smell?
Change frequency, sealed disposal and proper laundering deal with almost all of it. Odour neutralising sprays mask rather than solve. Persistent strong smell, or cloudy urine with pain, confusion or fever, needs a GP rather than a stronger air freshener, because urine infections present differently in older people.
Is incontinence just part of getting older?
No, and treating it as inevitable is the reason many people never get help. It becomes more common with age but it is frequently treatable, with pelvic floor training, medication review, bladder retraining or treating an underlying cause. It is worth raising with a GP even if it has been going on for years.
Sources & Useful Resources
Published 27 April 2026 · Last updated 25 August 2026