Male Incontinence Products

Incontinence aids for men

It is important to still seek help from your GP for your bladder or bowel control, as there are many treatments available to either improve or cure incontinence. The following are options that may be discussed with you.

Bladder Incontinence – Urinary Devices

There are devices available that are designed to either be worn over the penis and can offer more discretion or help to avoid urine from coming into contact with the skin. The most commonly used devices are detailed below.

Penile Sheaths for incontinence

Penile sheaths are probably one of the most popular types of devices available for urinary continence and are suitable for most men. They may also be called condom catheters, uridomes or external catheters. A penile sheath is a latex or silicone tube that rolls over the shaft of the penis and can be connected to a catheter tube and drainage bag.

The sheath usually has some kind of adhesive inside so that the system can remain securely in place. They come in different sizes ranging from 20mm – 40mm for you to get the best fit to avoid leaking. They should be changed every 24 hours to avoid system failure or unnecessary skin irritation. 

There are adhesive remover wipes and sprays available to avoid damaging the skin during a change. Some sheaths also come with an applicator, which can be useful if you don’t have full dexterity in your hands.

Body-Worn Urinals

An alternative to the penile sheath are body-worn urinals (BWU), which is the collective term for a range of devices which can be worn over the penis but are generally reusable. It comprises a cover, which goes over the penis and is attached around the waist with straps. The cover will then be attached to a catheter and either a drainage bag or catheter valve. Urine can then freely flow down the catheter tube. There are a variety of designs and sizes available. They probably work best and are more comfortable when you are standing or walking around. They may be an alternative if you are on a long day trip and cannot access toilets frequently.

Body-Worn Urinals

An alternative to the penile sheath are body-worn urinals (BWU), which is the collective term for a range of devices which can be worn over the penis but are generally reusable. It comprises a cover, which goes over the penis and is attached around the waist with straps. The cover will then be attached to a catheter and either a drainage bag or catheter valve. Urine can then freely flow down the catheter tube. There are a variety of designs and sizes available. They probably work best and are more comfortable when you are standing or walking around. They may be an alternative if you are on a long day trip and cannot access toilets frequently.

Penile Compression Devices

A penile compression device, or clamp as they are more commonly known, is a small device that places pressure over the penis to stop urine from leaking out. They are better used temporarily or in the short term for activities such as swimming or other forms of exercise. They generally work better for those with stress urinary incontinence rather than frequency or urgency. 

Some men will use a clamp in conjunction with another product, such as a pad. Clamps can sometimes be uncomfortable if they are worn on their own as they need to be quite tight to work, so wearing them on a looser setting with a pad can extend the wear time of a pad. Generally, most clamps are designed to be reusable and can be washed and worn again.

Male Bladder Incontinence Pads

Incontinence pads for men are probably the most common and well-known type of product available. They are easily accessible either through your GP or from a retail store and are usually the first product tried by someone with an issue with either bladder or bowel control. There are many different combinations to try depending on your preference, from thinner, more discreet pads to disposable underwear. Incontinence pads are generally suitable for all. Some people can find them uncomfortable once they become soiled, so it is important to change your pad as quickly as possible after they become soiled to avoid sore, broken and irritated skin.

Male Disposable Pads And Pants

Disposable pads and pants are the most convenient, easy-to-use and discreet type of incontinence pad, although not the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly. The pads come in different absorbances to contain light to heavy leakage/soiling. Disposable pants have improved considerably in recent years and are designed to look like normal underwear but contain an absorbent pad in the crotch area.

Male incontinence pads and pants come in a variety of designs including

• Disposable Liners – these are better suited for those who have light to moderate bladder leakage. They can slip during strenuous activity so that an alternative may be best considered during exercise
• Disposable Leafs/Pouches – are more discreet than liners and are designed specifically for men. These are more suitable for those with light bladder leakage
• Disposable Pants – are designed to look like everyday underwear but with an absorbent pad suitable for moderate to heavy bladder leakage
• Disposable All-In-Ones – these are a unisex product designed to contain heavy bladder leakage. They are also more suited to those who suffer from bladder and bowel incontinence
• Disposable T-Shape Pads – these are similar to all-in-ones and are used to contain moderate to heavy bladder and bowel leakage. They are supposed to be easier to put on standing up and use a belt attachment

Washable Pads And Pants For Men

Although there is an initial out cost with washable incontinence products, they are more cost-effective over time. Some people also prefer the absorbency of terry towels, especially at night, as it can contain quite a large volume. There is also less skin irritation involved. The downside is products designed for anything more than light leakage tend to be very bulky and not discreet.

• Washable Liners – these are less commonly used than disposable liners as they tend not to be as effective. They are better suited to those who have control but want the reassurance of a pad
• Washable Leafs – these work the same as a washable liner but are shaped to specifically fit the male shape
• Washable Pants – these look exactly like everyday underwear but have an absorbent pad in the crotch area. Some men wear these in conjunction with a disposable pad for extra protection
• Washable All-In-Ones – are usually made of terry towelling combined with plastic pants to go over the top to avoid liquid seeping through. These are better for those with heavy bladder leakage. They are quite bulky, though and folding and pinning the towelling into the correct shape can be quite fiddly