Search
[give_form id="19690"]

Ask the Doc: Does Reusable Incontinence Underwear Need Disposable Pads Inside as Well?

Question: I have recently bought some washable leakproof incontinence underwear. Do I need to wear a pad inside them for extra protection?

Great question! There are many incontinence products on the market, so it can be hard to weigh up the alternatives and figure out how they’re used together. Luckily, most washable incontinence underwear comes with its own absorbent gusset or pouch, which essentially acts as a built-in pad. It provides an all-in-one solution for people who experience light-to-moderate urinary incontinence, so you won’t have to double up or change your pad multiple times a day. Well-designed reusable absorbent underwear are best worn without a single-use pad inside, as this can compromise the fit and cause leaks.

How Does Leakproof Underwear Work?

Reusable incontinence underwear looks and feels just like regular underwear, with added leakproof protection. Confitex has nailed leakproof technology with the innovative multi-layered textile construction in their reusable incontinence underwear. With stylish designs such as the Lace Midi Briefs with Everyday Absorbency, it’s hard to tell that they have built-in padding. Here’s how their high-performance absorbent technology works.

1. Wicking Layer

The first layer, which sits closest to your skin, is a soft, fast-wicking fabric that quickly draws moisture away from the body to keep you dry and comfortable and help prevent the rashes that commonly occur when you wear single-use hygiene products every day.

2. Absorbency Retention Layer

Next is a moisture-retaining inner layer, which absorbs and holds liquid even under body weight pressure.

3. Leakproof Layer

The final layer is flexible, breathable and totally waterproof to lock in leaks.

How Long Can I Wear Padded Underwear for Incontinence?

This will depend on the brand of reusable underwear, your flow and your day-to-day activities. Confitex’s high-performance technology means that many customers with light bladder leakage can comfortably wear the same pair for 24 hours.

You may wish to change your reusable underwear more often if you have a heavier flow or on days when you go to the gym, for example. Luckily, Confitex briefs can be tumble-dried to allow for a quick turnaround between wears.

Can I Wear Padded Underwear for Incontinence at Night?

Yes! Many people find it is more comfortable for night-time wear than pads.

Disadvantages of Leakproof Pads

Many people find washable leakproof incontinence underwear to be a convenient alternative to disposable leakproof pads. Here are a couple of reasons why:

Leakproof Pads are Less Sustainable

Leakproof pads must be changed anywhere from 2-6 times a day, depending on your level of bladder leakage. Over time this adds up to thousands of disposable pads in landfill, where they can take up to 500 years to break down.

Disposable Leakproof Pads are Less Discreet

Leakproof pads are less discreet than reusable incontinence underwear, particularly in situations like the gym changing room. Although urinary incontinence is very common, many people feel self-conscious about wearing incontinence pads in public. This isn’t a concern with reusable incontinence briefs, as they look just like any other pair of underwear.

If you experience bladder leakage, padded underwear for incontinence could be the all-in-one solution for you. Head to the Confitex website to browse their full range and find a life-changing solution for light-to-moderate leaks.

SPECIAL OFFER FOR NAFC READERS:

Confitex leakproof underwear for men and women are available only online at confitex.com

To view the range and receive your exclusive 15% discount for NAFC readers, visit confitex.com and enter the code NAFC2315 at checkout. We recommend that you check the size guide before purchasing, and that you buy one pair first so you can check the size and absorbency in the comfort and privacy of your own home.   

Comments

2 Responses

  1. What reusable bladder incontinence underwear is the most effective at wicking away moisture?

  2. Necesito ropa interior lavable para la incontinencia, precios vivo en Caracas
    Venezuela

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles

Five women of varying ages stand close together, smiling and laughing. The text discusses vital conversations on health—from postpartum to incontinence after prostate cancer surgery—on the Life Without Leaks NAFC podcast.

From Postpartum to Postmenopause: The Conversations Women Need to Have

In this episode of Life Without Leaks, we’re joined by Dr. Barbara Frank of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, along with Alex Fennell, co-founder of Attn: Grace, an innovative manufacturer of incontinence products.

Together, we explore the realities of bladder leaks and pelvic floor health during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, perimenopause and menopause, and we discuss why more women are finally beginning to talk more openly about their experiences.

The conversation covers:
• The connection between hormones, menopause and bladder leaks
• Why pelvic floor therapy is having a major moment
• The surprising relationship between pelvic floor tension and incontinence
• How products can impact skin health, comfort and UTIs
• The truth about hormone replacement therapy
• Why community and conversation matter so much in women’s health

Alex also shares the story behind Attn: Grace and the company’s mission to create cleaner, plant-based incontinence products designed to support women with comfort, dignity and confidence.

Whether you’re navigating postpartum recovery, menopause symptoms or simply looking to better understand pelvic health, this episode offers expert insights, practical advice and an encouraging reminder that no one should feel alone in these experiences.

A person sitting on a beige bath mat is placing an incontinence pad into their underwear for skin protection. A box labeled Attn: Grace with blue designs sits on the mat nearby.

Ask The Expert: From A Doctor’s Perspective What Are Some Common Questions You Hear?

If you’ve ever sneezed and held your breath hoping for the best, you’re not alone. Bladder leaks, pelvic floor issues, and the constellation of symptoms that go with them are incredibly common — and incredibly under-discussed. We sat down with two of our favorite experts who are changing the bladder leak conversation: Dr. Barbara Frank, Attn: Grace medical advisor and board certified OB/GYN, and Dr. Sara Reardon, pelvic floor physical therapist (and the woman your pelvic floor has been waiting to meet). They took turns asking each other the questions their patients ask most — and answered them with the same candor they bring to the exam room. They cover everything from how to prepare for postpartum, to what question to ask your own pelvic floor PT, to how to manage incontinence during menopause. This is a knowledge drop you don’t want to miss.

Two older women smiling and walking together on a sunny neighborhood sidewalk, one holding a coffee cup. Both enjoy the confidence provided by discreet incontinence products for women. Trees and houses line the street in the background.

How Aging Changes Bladder Control — What Most People Don’t Expect

As an RN who’s worked in geriatrics for over 14 years, I know first hand that changes in bladder control can be a common part of aging. However, what I’ve also learned is that the treatment and management of these changes differ depending on whether they are due to aging or other conditions.
If you’re experiencing more frequent trips to the bathroom or sudden, intense urges to urinate, you might be wondering what is going on and what you can do about it. Let’s talk through some of the changes that might be going on in your body and how you can be better prepared to manage your bladder control.

Five women of varying ages stand close together, smiling and laughing. The text discusses vital conversations on health—from postpartum to incontinence after prostate cancer surgery—on the Life Without Leaks NAFC podcast.

From Postpartum to Postmenopause: The Conversations Women Need to Have

In this episode of Life Without Leaks, we’re joined by Dr. Barbara Frank of Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital, along with Alex Fennell, co-founder of Attn: Grace, an innovative manufacturer of incontinence products.

Together, we explore the realities of bladder leaks and pelvic floor health during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, perimenopause and menopause, and we discuss why more women are finally beginning to talk more openly about their experiences.

The conversation covers:
• The connection between hormones, menopause and bladder leaks
• Why pelvic floor therapy is having a major moment
• The surprising relationship between pelvic floor tension and incontinence
• How products can impact skin health, comfort and UTIs
• The truth about hormone replacement therapy
• Why community and conversation matter so much in women’s health

Alex also shares the story behind Attn: Grace and the company’s mission to create cleaner, plant-based incontinence products designed to support women with comfort, dignity and confidence.

Whether you’re navigating postpartum recovery, menopause symptoms or simply looking to better understand pelvic health, this episode offers expert insights, practical advice and an encouraging reminder that no one should feel alone in these experiences.