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Urinary incontinence is a common problem across all genders. It can range from a minor inconvenience to a major disruption. This article will explore products and strategies that can make urinary incontinence more manageable from day to day.

What is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence is a loss of bladder control that causes you to leak urine. It affects twice as many women as men and is more common in older adults. However, it is not a normal part of aging.

There are several types of urinary incontinence. These include:

• Stress incontinence, when pressure on the bladder and weak pelvic muscles cause you to leak urine when you sneeze, cough, laugh, or lift something heavy.
• Urge incontinence, when you have a sudden strong need to urinate and some urine leaks before you can get to a bathroom.
• Mixed incontinence, when you have symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence.
• Overflow incontinence, when your bladder doesn't completely empty and eventually gets too full, causing you to leak urine. This is the most common type of urinary incontinence in men.
• Functional incontinence, when a physical disability such as arthritis or a cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer's disease keeps you from getting to a toilet in time.

Urinary incontinence can be treated with lifestyle changes, special pelvic floor exercises, medication, and, in some cases, surgery.

The following products and strategies can help you manage leaking urine while you explore and identify effective treatments.

Containment options: Pads and other absorbent products

Adult incontinence pads and incontinence underwear are sold at many stores, including pharmacies, grocery stores, and general merchandise stores. They use a wetness-protection layer to draw urine away from skin.

Some urinary incontinence underwear have elastic around the waist and legs and are pulled on like clothing. Others have refastenable or adhesive tabs to make it easy to secure them in place or take them off quickly.

Incontinence underwear and incontinence pads come in different absorbencies. Some are unisex, while others are designed specifically for either the male or female body. They are disposable, so you throw them away when they become wet.

Collection devices for incontinence

External urine collection devices draw urine away from the body and into a collection container via a flexible tube. They may be purchased online and at medical supply stores.

One option for men is a condom-like device worn over the penis that carries urine into a bag that can be attached to the leg. Women's devices may be held around the opening to the urethra with adhesive or suction.

Urine collection devices keep urine away from skin, which can reduce infections. They also eliminate the need to get up at night to urinate, which decreases the risk of falling.

Pessaries and clamps

A pessary is a device that is placed into the vagina to prevent urine leakage. The pessary supports the walls of the vagina to hold up the bladder and urethra, in cases where pelvic muscles have weakened. Pessaries can be used to manage stress incontinence.

Pessaries come in various sizes and are fitted by a doctor. Most women can insert and remove a pessary themselves.

Urinary clamps for men are worn over the middle of the penis. The clamps have foam pads and can be adjusted to compress the urethra without interfering with blood flow. The clamp is loosened when it's time to urinate.

Tips for managing odor

A common challenge with urinary incontinence is managing odor, especially when using incontinence pads or incontinence underwear. The following tips can help minimize odor.

• Don't limit fluids. It may be tempting to avoid more frequent bathroom trips. But the more concentrated the urine, the stronger the odor.
• Choose pads or underwear that fit properly, and change them regularly. This can help stop leaking and reduce odors.
• Look for pads or underwear that contain natural odor-absorbing compounds. (Be aware that scented products may irritate sensitive skin.)
• Clean yourself right away after an accident, and remove wet clothing as quickly as you can.
• Vinegar can remove odors from clothing or bedding. Mix one cup of white vinegar and three cups of water and soak the clothing or bedding in this mixture for a few minutes. Rinse the items and then launder as usual.
• Tweak your diet. Some foods give urine a foul or more intense odor. Culprits include fish, onions, garlic, coffee, and asparagus.

If an odor from urine becomes very strong or more foul-smelling, it could be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI), which is more common in people with incontinence. Other symptoms of a UTI include an intense urge to urinate, more frequent urination, and burning, pain, or discomfort while urinating. Tell your doctor if you think you may have a UTI.

Preventing skin infections related to urinary incontinence

Urine is slightly acidic and contains chemicals such as ammonia that can irritate the skin. Although incontinence pads and underwear may keep clothing and bedding from getting wet, they allow urine to be in contact with skin, even if they have a wetness-protection layer. As a result, using urinary incontinence products can contribute to skin irritation and infections.

To avoid skin infections, take special care to keep skin clean and dry. Use mild soap and warm water to wash the genital area after each episode of incontinence, and pat dry gently but thoroughly.

Protect the skin with a moisturizing lotion or cream, but avoid products that contain alcohol, which may be irritating.

You also may consider creams or ointments that form a protective barrier on the skin. Look for products that contain zinc oxide, lanolin, or petrolatum (petroleum jelly). Some sprays or towelettes also create a clear, protective film over the skin.

If you notice breakdown of the skin, ulcers, or open wounds, see your PCP or dermatologist, as these areas can become infected.