Everything you need to know about disposable incontinence pants: A comprehensive guide

What makes up a typical pair of incontinence pants?

Types of disposable incontinence pants

All incontinence products come with their own set of benefits. Disposable incontinence pants combine comfort, security, convenience, discretion and absorbency to provide a comprehensive and great all round incontinence experience. Let’s talk a bit more about the benefits below:

Comfort and fit: Disposable incontinence pants are designed specifically to be worn in a similar way to your regular underwear. They’re pulled on with ease and fit snug to your body, to combine both security and comfort. The soft, cotton-feel materials are breathable to ensure your intimate areas maintain airflow and aren’t at risk of irritation. 

Secure: High-level security and protection are key benefits of incontinence pants. Depending on which ones you buy, you can get access to extra security features such as ant-leak cuffs (which provide twice the protection, whether you’re standing, sitting, or lying down), odour control and advanced core technologies. Unlike pads, with pants, the absorbent area is built into the product, so you don’t need to worry about how it’s positioned. You don’t need any extras such as fixation pants, you just pull them up and get on with your day. 

Convenience: Disposable incontinence pants come ready to use, you simply open the pack and pop them on like you would a regular set of underwear. Once they’re full or you’re ready to take them off, you simply tear at the sides and put them in the bin. 

Discretion: Thanks to their similarity in style and fit to regular underwear, they offer a level of discretion that you may not find in large-shaped pads or adult nappies. There’s less rustling than some other incontinence products which can help you feel less self conscious when wearing them. 

Absorbency: They usually provide a moderate to high level of absorbency compared to your everyday disposable pads. The benefit of high absorbency combined with all of the other benefits above make them an all-in-one comfort/practical solution for leak protection.

• Diabetes: High blood sugar levels can cause nerve damage to the bladder, leading to loss of bladder control.
• Multiple sclerosis (MS): For people experiencing MS, the immune system attacks nerve fibres, causing communication problems between the brain and the bladder, resulting in an overactive bladder, or a bladder that doesn’t empty completely.
• Parkinson’s disease: Nerve damage can negatively impact the systems controlling your bladder. As crucial neurons degrade, muscle rigidity can set in, which leads to a difficulty getting the flow of urine going, or not emptying properly.
• Strokes: Depending on the area of the brain affected by the stroke, there could be damage to the areas that play a role in controlling bladder function. This can lead to urge incontinence, where there is a sudden, intense need to urinate.
• Prostate cancer: In men, prostate problems are a common cause of bladder weakness. Due to its position in the body, if the prostate is enlarged it may push up against the bladder, urethra or other bladder muscles.
• Dementia and Alzheimer's: As dementia progresses, it can lead to memory loss and behavioural changes. It’s common for people to not recognise when they need to use the toilet. 

Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP)

The benefits of Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP) in incontinence products:

Virgin fluff fibres

Moisture-wicking top layer

Odour neutralising technology

Breathable, skin-friendly materials

Wetness indicators

Hydrophobic leg cuffs

Disposable incontinence pants have been specifically designed to be worn just like your regular underwear. The pull-on approach of disposable pants makes putting them on and taking them off really simple. Whether you’re wearing a male, female, or unisex product, the process of getting them on should be the same. Here’s how to wear incontinence pants correctly:

1. Fold the incontinence pants lengthways until the anti-leak cuffs are up and activated.
2. Check that the sticker is at the back (buttock side) as you lay the pants down.
3. Step into the incontinence pants as you would any other pair of underwear.
4. Pull them up until they are above the waist and slightly below the belly button.
5. Adjust them for comfort, paying attention to your waist and groin.
6. Confirm that the incontinence pants are secure and the inner pad is positioned well.

Once they’re on, you can double-check that they’re being correctly worn by checking that the inner pad is a little higher at the back compared to the front. 

There’s a bit of a knack to removing incontinence pants, and by taking them off and disposing of them correctly, you’re less likely to make a mess. Improve your hygiene and save yourself some faff with a bit of know-how. 

If mobility isn’t an issue, you can slide them down like regular underwear and simply step out of them. However, if you’re not quite so mobile, or just want an easier solution, you can tear the tabs at the side to remove the pants. Once they’re off you just need to roll them up into a compact bundle and dispose. Always check the product guidelines for specific disposal recommendations.

It’s worth noting that unless it specifically says otherwise on the packaging, you should never flush used incontinence products. It’s actually quite a common occurrence for people to put used incontinence items in the toilet, but it can cause massive plumbing issues in your home. The big plumbing bill simply isn’t worth the hassle, make sure they go in the bin!

To get the most out of your incontinence pants, you’ll need to make sure you have the right size. Of course, wearing the wrong size will probably be uncomfortable, but actually there is more to it than just comfort. You’re likely to experience issues if you’re wearing pants that are too big, or pants that are too small. You need that Goldilocks zone. 

So, you need to know what you can do to find the right size. The answer is simple, try out a few different sizes. You might need to spend a little bit of extra money, but in the long run you could save yourself a lot of bother. Once you’ve got the size you think is for you, grab a size up and a size down, try them all on and see if they fit a little better. 

Also, sizing isn’t the same across all brands. Medium incontinence pants with one brand might be a size small at another brand. Don’t blindly adopt the “I’ve always been a medium, so I’ll buy a medium” approach. Make sure you double check the product specs on the product page before you purchase, it could save you a lot of hassle!

Let’s take a look at some of the sizing issues in a bit more detail.

Issues that you might find if your incontinence pants are too big:

• Leakage from the leg holes: Leakage is the last thing you want. If urine is leaking from your pants onto your clothes, they’re going to get wet and smelly. Disposable pants need to fit snug to your body, but not too tightly for maximum security. 
• Rustling and discomfort: If there’s too much space around your waist or leg areas, they can move around or even rub against your skin, causing chafe and irritation.
• Visible bulges: If your pants are too big, they could create visible bulges or sagging. This can be embarrassing if you’re trying to maintain a decent level of discretion. 
• Ineffective odour control: Good incontinence pants are usually designed with odour control in mind. If you’re wearing a size that’s too big, unwanted smells might begin to seep out of the spaces between your waist and legs. Nobody wants to smell of urine, especially if you’re trying to keep things discreet!

Issues that you might find if your incontinence pants are too small:

• Skin irritation: If your pants are too small, you might find the edges digging into your skin. This can cause serious discomfort and in some cases, even sores. This isn’t ideal, especially for people that need to wear incontinence pants for a long period of time. 
• Restricted movement: Getting around can be much more difficult if your incontinence pants are too tight. If mobility is already a bit of a problem for you, then wearing pants which don’t fit properly will probably make things worse.
• Difficulty putting them on: You may find yourself faffing around trying to get them on, pulling them tight and making them more fiddly than they need to be. Generally, these pants are designed to be easy to get on, so, if you’re finding it difficult, it may be because they’re too small. 

First of all, who are Vivactive? Since 2018, we’ve been shaking things up in the world of incontinence. We couldn’t understand why supermarkets were charging so much for products that people need every day. So, we set out to change that.

Incontinence products shouldn’t be pricey—they’re a necessity. But we kept hearing the same thing from people: they were paying too much, just to feel comfortable and secure. That didn’t sit right with us, so we decided to do something about it.

At Vivactive, we believe you shouldn’t have to choose between great quality and a great price. You deserve both.

By cutting out the middleman and keeping things online, we pass the savings straight to you. Our products provide the protection and comfort you need at a fraction of the price you’d pay in the supermarket.

Why Vivactive Pants Maxi are the right choice for managing urinary incontinence

Vivactive Pants Maxi have been designed with all of the cutting-edge technology you would expect from a good pair of incontinence pants. They come with all of the bells and whistles, to give you the best experience at the best price. Rapid absorption, maximum security and super comfortable. 

Let’s shine a light on what makes them one of the best incontinence pants on the market.  

Industry-leading absorption with TRIPLE LAYER LOCK™

The importance of leakage management and security has been quite heavily emphasised in this guide, and for good reason. Nobody wants to leak urine into their clothes or furniture. That’s where our market-leading innovation comes in. TRIPLE LAYER LOCK technology ensures rapid absorption of urine, keeping you totally dry and protected. But, how does it work? 

There are three layers which work together to provide a superbly efficient absorption process.

1. Layer 1: Rapid dispersal of urine – Once the layer comes into contact with urine, it’s immediately dispersed across the topsheet. This way, it can be absorbed quicker into the middle of the core and away from the surface. By spreading the urine out, it stops it from pooling in one place where it might take longer to absorb.
2. Layer 2: Ultra-absorbent virgin fluff fibres – Within the second layer sits highly absorbent fluff fibres that will quickly soak up urine. Once picked up, the urine is then funnelled down into the pad’s core. We make sure that we only use virgin fluff fibres from sustainably managed forests, which are PEFC Certified. 
3. Layer 3: Super absorbent molecules – Once the urine hits the third layer, superabsorbent molecules inside the core lock it in, turning the urine into a gel. It’s amazing how quickly this process happens, and it takes care of unwanted incontinence odours at the same time. Thanks to the gel-like substance which is created, you won’t be experiencing any leaks. You’ll be secure, confident, and in control. 

Thanks to TRIPLE LAYER LOCK technology, Vivactive Pants Maxi absorb urine more than twice as fast as some other brands. 

Extra protection with hydrophobic leg cuffs

Say goodbye to embarrassing leaks and hello to super secure disposable incontinence pants. With built-in hydrophobic leg cuffs, our pants will prevent urine from escaping the leg areas. The reinforced cuffs fit closely to your body, making sure urine stays securely locked inside the pants. It doesn’t matter if you’re standing, sitting, or lying down, the water-repelling barriers will keep you dry and confident.

Odour neutralising pearls

While some incontinence pants will only mask smells temporarily, our pants go a step further by totally neutralising them. Within the pads core sit tiny, ultra-absorbent pearls that lock in moisture and stop odours in their tracks. By taking care of unwanted smells, you’ll get an extra layer of discretion and the confidence you need to take on the day anxiety-free. 

Superior comfort 

Comfort is key when you’re wearing incontinence pants for a long period of time. That’s why Vivactive Pants Maxi have been especially engineered with a contoured fit, allowing them to mould to the natural shape of your body. Not bulky, not restrictive, just well put together and comfortable disposable incontinence pants. 

Materials that are kind to your skin

While managing incontinence, you need to take care of your skin and minimise skin irritation. Our pants are dermatologically tested, latex-free and gentle on your skin. The breathable materials promote natural airflow and keep air circulating in your intimate areas. Even our virgin fluff fibres have been chosen with skin health in mind, they’re totally free from chlorine and additives.

An enriched top sheet

Vivactive pants go beyond basic comfort by incorporating an enriched botanical top sheet. This specially designed layer nourishes your skin, reducing the risk of irritation caused by prolonged use. If you have sensitive skin or frequently wear incontinence pants, an enriched top sheet can help keep your skin in tip top condition for long-lasting comfort.

Easy to remove and dispose of 

Changing incontinence pants should be quick and simple, we get it. Which is why we’ve made removal of your incontinence pants effortless with tear-away sides. When it’s time to dispose of them, simply tear the sides, roll them up into a bundle, and pop them in the bin. This easy-to-use design reduces mess and makes the changing process more convenient.

Never flush incontinence products down the toilet, as doing so can cause serious plumbing issues. Always dispose of them in a bin.