Posted by Brianna Maguire on Nov 13th 2020
Like many men, you or a loved one may be experiencing light to moderate incontinence. Incontinence underwear for men are the perfect solution for anyone caring for themselves, or anyone that isn’t quite ready for a diaper with tabs.
Designed with a man’s body in mind, many of our pull-ups feature protective pads positioned to accommodate male anatomy, a masculine front panel -- just like regular briefs -- and a wide elastic waistband. We even offer a boxer style that looks and feels just like the real thing, so you can be confident and comfortable.
Learn about:
What are men's protective underwear?
Men’s disposable underwear are for incontinence protection and feature an absorbent core and a stretchy waistband. Shaped similarly to regular underwear, these slide up and down the legs and come in various sizes and absorbencies. Men’s pull-ups, in particular, have a more secure fit and can even come in specific designs that more closely align with regular men’s briefs.
What's the difference between men's protective underwear and unisex underwear?
Unlike unisex pull-ups, men's pull-ups are specially designed to support male bodies. Though unisex products can be a little bit cheaper, you'll experience more comfort and absorbency if you go with a gender-specific option.
There are three main ways that gender-specific products are different from unisex underwear.
Absorbency
Protective underwear absorbs liquid through tiny beads called "polymers." In unisex pull-ups, polymers line the bottom of the underwear to catch fluid. Men's protective underwear, on the other hand, has extra polymers in the front, where men tend to void.
These extra polymers make men's protective underwear more absorbent and provide targeted protection.
Fit
Men's protective underwear are specially cut to fit a male body. This closer fit prevents leaks and provides extra comfort.
Style
Men-specific pull-up underwear have a more masculine style that looks and feels like real briefs. Many of them come in steely gray colors, or masculine pin-stripe designs.
Who should use men's protective underwear?
Men’s pull-up diapers are ideal for those:
- Caring for themselves
- Who are mobile and active
- Who want an incontinence product that looks and feels like regular underwear
- Who find men’s guards aren’t absorbent enough for their needs
- With mild to moderate incontinence concerns, especially urinary incontinence
Who shouldn't use these products?
Men’s pull-up diapers are probably not a good fit for:
- Women
- Those with heavy incontinence concerns, or those with bowel incontinence
- Those looking for protection that covers their belly and back
How do they work?
Pull-ups work by trapping liquid in an absorbent core full of polymers (tiny beads that soak up liquid and turn it into a gel). Unlike other types of pull-ups, men’s pull-ups have extra polymers in the front, where men tend to void.
To put a men’s pull-up on, all you need to do is slide it up over the legs, just like regular underwear
To take a pull-up off, you can either slide them off your body, or if the product has tear-away sides, you can rip off each side and remove the product without taking your pants completely off.
What features exist?
Tear-away sides
Some pull-ups come with “tear-away sides” meaning they feature an easy-tear seam on each side of the pull-up that you can rip open to remove the product. That way, you don’t have to remove your clothes, or if you’re changing a loved one, you don’t have to slide them all the way down the legs.
Wetness indicators
Wetness indicators are color-changing markers on the back of the pull-up that alert you when the pull-up is full, that way you know when it’s time for a change. While not all pull-ups feature these, they can be especially helpful if you’re changing a loved one.
Masculine colors and designs
Men’s pull-ups can come in men-specific designs and colors like black and grey, so you can feel just like you’re wearing regular briefs.
Leg gathers
Also called “leg guards” or “leg cuffs,” leg gathers are pieces of fabric that hug the leg where it exits the pull-up and catch potential leaks before they can spill out.
Cloth-like backing material
Cloth-like backing material means the pull-ups are soft, comfortable, and breathable, protecting your skin health. Since the cloth doesn’t crinkle when you move, the pull-ups are silent and discreet.
How do I choose?
- Figure out which features are the most important for your needs. If you prefer the look of regular briefs, you may want to look for a pull-up with masculine designs. If leakage protection is your goal, leg gathers might be more important to you.
- Decide which absorbency best suits your needs. For occasional leaks, a light absorbency should be fine, but if you have heavier voids or need nighttime protection, you’ll likely prefer a heavier absorbency.
- Determine your pull-up size by measuring your hips and waist in inches, then using the larger of the two numbers to reference our sizing guides.
- Remember that we’re always here to help. Call us at 855-855-1666 for more guidance.
Carewell's recommendations
Our customers love men's protective underwear from brands like:
TENA MEN Protective Incontinence Underwear, Super Absorbency
If maintaining the look and feel of regular underwear is more important to you, these TENA pull-up underwear would be a great choice. Stretchy to fit an active lifestyle, these pull-ups come in an attractive design, so no one but you has to know its an incontinence pull-up.
Prevail Daily Pull-Up Underwear For Men, Maximum
These are ideal if you need an absorbent solution that’s also breathable, comfortable, and safe on skin. For those that have incontinence needs that are a little heavier, these pull-ups offer a solution that’s dependable and shaped to fit male bodies.
Brittany's pro-tips
If you’re experiencing leaks, it’s probably an issue with fit. Be sure to use exact waist and hip measurements when choosing your size, and don’t be afraid to give us a call for help!
