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How to choose the right absorbency level for incontinence pads
Bladder weakness isn’t just something experienced by older people. Despite older people being the main users of incontinence products, bladder weakness can affect people of all ages, sizes, creeds and genders. It’s still a point of embarrassment or shame for a lot of people, but it really needn’t be when it’s a totally natural thing to happen.
In fact, NHS have published statistics stating that an estimated 14 million people, of all ages, are living with bladder problems. 61% of men are experiencing lower urinary tract symptoms and 34% of women are living with urinary incontinence. 900,000 children and young people are experiencing bowel and bladder dysfunction. It’s estimated that around 7 million people in the UK experience urinary incontinence (5-10% of the population).
The numbers speak for themselves, it’s a big deal. So, why is nobody talking about it? Millions of people are affected by bladder weakness and urinary incontinence, with lots of people choosing not to go to the doctors, the true number is probably much higher.
We’re here to help break the stigma around incontinence and get people talking. The more informed you are, the better equipped you’ll be to handle it.
In fact, NHS have published statistics stating that an estimated 14 million people, of all ages, are living with bladder problems. 61% of men are experiencing lower urinary tract symptoms and 34% of women are living with urinary incontinence. 900,000 children and young people are experiencing bowel and bladder dysfunction. It’s estimated that around 7 million people in the UK experience urinary incontinence (5-10% of the population).
The numbers speak for themselves, it’s a big deal. So, why is nobody talking about it? Millions of people are affected by bladder weakness and urinary incontinence, with lots of people choosing not to go to the doctors, the true number is probably much higher.
We’re here to help break the stigma around incontinence and get people talking. The more informed you are, the better equipped you’ll be to handle it.
Understanding absorbency levels
When it comes to incontinence pads, absorbency levels vary based on the type of bladder leakage you're experiencing. Generally speaking, you’ll see terms like light, moderate, or heavy incontinence in the product description, which will be a brief indication of how much urine the pad can hold. For example, small pads are for light leaks, whereas large-shaped pads are more for moderate to heavy leakage.
Absorbency levels are typically linked to:
- The amount of urine that you leak: Whether it’s a few drops, small bursts, or a larger release of urine.
- Absorption speed: Some pads are designed for quick absorption to prevent wetness against your skin.
- How long you wear the incontinence pad: If you're looking for a pad to last throughout the day or overnight, this will affect your absorbency choice.
Absorbency levels vary between brands, but they all have fairly similar names to describe their capabilities. For example, if we take a look at the Vivactive naming convention for large-shaped pads:
- Normal (1100ml)
- Plus (1900ml)
- Extra (2350ml)
- Super (2900ml)
- Maxi (3200ml)
- Night Maxi (3500ml)
As you can see, the terminology reflects the amount of urine that can be absorbed. So, now that you’ve got a bit more of a general understanding let’s take a closer look at absorbency levels.
Light absorbency for small leaks
If you’re experiencing light bladder leakage, like those small, occasional leaks when sneezing, laughing or exercising, you’ll probably want a small pad with less absorbency capability. At Vivactive we stock some of the best-value small incontinence pads on the market. Some people think that bladder leaks only affect women, but this simply isn’t true. This is why we cater for both men and women, with products designed specifically for their different anatomy. Not to mention, they’re great for providing peace of mind without added bulk. As we did above, let’s take a look at the naming conventions of the Vivactive disposable light incontinence pad range and their absorbencies.
Our range for men:
- Vivactive Men Level 1 (355ml)
- Vivactive Men Level 2 (525ml)
- Vivactive Men Level 3 (700ml)
Our range for women:
- Vivactive Lady Discreet Mini (320ml)
- Vivactive Lady Discreet Extra (520ml)
- Vivactive Lady Discreet Maxi (730ml)
- Vivactive Lady Discreet Maxi Plus (1000ml)
- Vivactive Lady Night Maxi Plus (1000ml)
When you compare them to the large-shaped range, they absorb considerably less. But they come with the added benefit of being much more discreet. If you need a good measuring stick to figure out which one is right for you, consider this: the average can of fizzy drink in the UK is 330ml.
Who should consider small disposable incontinence pads?
If you only experience a few drips and dribbles, you’ll be better suited to small pads. Light absorbency pads are designed for comfort and discretion rather than absorbing huge quantities of urine. If you prefer a slimmer pad that fits seamlessly into your regular underwear, you’ll find this option ideal. They’re perfect for daytime wear and short trips or exercising, where you’re unlikely to build up a large amount of pee.
When to choose light absorbency:
If you experience stress incontinence and only notice small amounts of urine leakage. Stress incontinence is used to describe bladder leakage brought on by things like laughing, sneezing, or exercising.
Moderate absorbency for frequent leaks
If you’re someone who experiences more frequent but not overly large leaks, a moderate absorbency pad is the next step up. These are a bit thicker than light pads but still designed to be relatively discreet while offering more protection and security. These pads will need to be paired with fixation pants in order to hold them in place correctly. If you’re looking for maximum comfort and discretion, why not try Vivactive Premium Discreet Fixation Pants Black? They’re super soft and look pretty close to regular underwear. Anyway, back to pads. Let’s take a look at the Vivactive range with their respective names and absorbency levels for moderate urine leakage:
- Vivactive Shaped Pads Normal (1100ml)
- Vivactive Shaped Pads Plus (1900ml)
These come with added security features that you may not find in most discreet pads. Technology like anti-leak cuffs provides twice the protection whether you’re sitting, standing or lying down.
Who should be thinking about moderate absorbency pads?
If you’re leaking pee regularly when moving around, bending over or during your normal daily activities, moderate absorbency pads may be the right pick for you. They hold a pretty high level of urine. If we take our previous example of the fizzy drink can, they’re 330ml. If you’re leaking 3 or 4 times this much, then a moderate absorbency pad will suit you better than a light absorbency pad.
When to choose moderate absorbency:
If you find that you’re leaking pee more throughout the day, especially while you’re out and about, or taking care of some jobs at home, you might want something a little more absorbent than just a pantyliner. Pads with a moderate absorbency level are a great choice for extended use but may need a couple of changes throughout the day depending on how much you leak.
Heavy absorbency for larger leaks
Heavy urine leakage can be a bit of a pain if you’re not wearing pads with a high enough absorbency. If you’re experiencing sudden gushes of pee, or find yourself leaking regularly, you may find higher absorbency pads useful. These larger pads are designed to keep you drier for longer, with a more absorbent core. Similarly to the moderate pads, these pads will need to be paired with fixation pants in order to hold them in place correctly. As we mentioned previously, if you’re looking for maximum comfort and discretion, why not try Vivactive Premium Discreet Fixation Pants Black? Anyway, here are the Vivactive pads that can absorb a serious amount of urine:
- Vivactive Shaped Pads Extra (2350ml)
- Vivactive Shaped Pads Plus (2900ml)
In fact, their unique blend of highly absorbent materials means they can absorb liquid 25% faster than some other shaped pads. And, if you’re experiencing incontinence, you’ll be well aware of how important it is that the urine is soaked up as quickly as possible.
Who may need heavy absorbency pads?
If you’re experiencing more significant leaks, or your overactive bladder is leaking a lot, you should consider a pad with a large absorbency capacity. The larger pads are designed specifically to hold big quantities of urine, while also maintaining comfort and giving you total peace of mind. We’ve used a few analogies now to give you an idea of how much these pads can hold, so let’s not break the habit of a lifetime. A large bottle of Pepsi from the supermarket is 2000ml. So, if you think you’re leaking somewhere close to that, then heavy absorbency pads may be the one for you.
When to choose heavy absorbency:
If you prefer a pad that you don’t have to change as often, or you’re leaking extensive amounts of pee, go for the high absorbency option. The bigger absorption core means you’ll stay drier, for longer. A lot of people with big bladder leaks can feel anxious about the whole situation. With a highly absorbent pad, specially designed for big leaks, you can really achieve the security and peace of mind that you’re looking for.
Maximum absorbency for chronic incontinence
For chronic incontinence and really big leaks, you need a solution that’s going to provide massive absorbency and total security. These products provide the very highest levels of protection for people who need reliable, longer-term protection. With these, you’ll get peace of mind around the clock.
- Vivactive Shaped Pads Maxi (3200ml)
- Vivactive Shaped Night Maxi (3500ml)
Who might need maximum absorbency pads?
If you’re experiencing very large, very sudden leaks or need a high level of overnight protection, choosing maximum absorbency pads may be a good idea. Bedtime can be a bit of a nightmare if you’re experiencing high levels of urine leakage, especially if you’re not in the right pads. For overnight protection, picking a super-high absorbency will give you the security and peace of mind you need for a good night's sleep.
When to Choose Maximum Absorbency:
If you need a solution that can hold a full bladder release, or need a high level of protection over a long period of time. If you’re worrying about leaking onto your clothes or mattress through the night, maximum protection will be a good choice. They’re slightly bulkier than some of the smaller pads, but they also provide a level of security that’s second to none.
What are some good features to look out for?
Absorbency isn’t the only thing to think about when choosing an incontinence pad. They often come with some pretty neat incontinence-related technologies that are well worth keeping an eye out for. If you’re thinking about buying a new pad, make sure you give the product description a good read and look out for some of these awesome features:
TRIPLE LAYER LOCK™ for rapid absorption
Vivactive’s innovative TRIPLE LAYER LOCK™ system helps pads absorb liquid faster, to help keep you feeling fresh, dry and confident.
- Layer 1: The first layer is a comfortable top sheet. Once it comes into contact with urine, the liquid is dispersed across the sheet, so that it can be absorbed quickly. Liquids can be absorbed much faster when spread out across the surface area. This stops any urine from pooling in one area, where it might take a long time to absorb.
- Layer 2: Inside the second layer are highly absorbent fluff fibres that grab onto any urine that they come into contact with. Once the urine has been picked up, it’s then channelled down into the pad’s core. We only use virgin fluff fibres from sustainably managed forests, which are PEFC Certified. We take skin health seriously, which is why they don’t contain any ‘nasties’ like chlorine or extra additives.
- Layer 3: Once the urine hits the third layer, superabsorbent molecules inside the core absorb and lock it in, turning the urine into a gel. This process happens very quickly. Once the urine is absorbed and turned into a gel, you won’t be experiencing any leaks. During the absorption process, any unpleasant odours are neutralised, so no unwanted smells will be leaking out. Nobody wants to smell like urine, right?
Active Odour Control Technology
As soon as moisture is absorbed, unwanted odours are quickly neutralised, so you won’t have to worry about smelling like pee. This feature is definitely worth looking for, it’s extremely beneficial.
Wetness Indicator
A convenient wetness indicator sits on the outside of each pad to help identify when the pad needs to be changed. It’ll change colour to indicate if a pad has soaked up enough urine.
