Best Incontinence Underwear for Women of 2024
Both sexes experience incontinence, but data from the Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research suggests women are more than twice as likely to suffer than men.
If you have adult incontinence or provide assistance to someone who does, high-quality personal care products can make all the difference. To help make the process a little easier, we've curated a list of our best incontinence underwear for women.
What is Incontinence Underwear?
Incontinence underwear is a blanket term for various products, including diapers, pull-ups, and underpads. Here’s how these items vary:
Diapers
A diaper is a protective undergarment that features tabs on the sides. They're easy to adjust and provide maximum absorbency throughout the night.
Pull-ups
Pull-ups look similar to regular underwear but offer added leak protection. They're disposable and easy to remove.
Liners
A liner is a piece of absorbent material that you slip inside a diaper or a pull-up. It provides an extra layer of absorbency for extended protection.
Underpads
An underpad is a large piece of absorbent fabric designed to protect bedding or furniture. These are especially helpful if you care for someone who uses a wheelchair or spends most of their time in bed.
Caregiver Tip
As a good rule of thumb, pull-up underwear are best for those caring for themselves. On the other hand, briefs or diapers with tabs are a better choice for those caring for others.
What's the Difference Between Unisex and Female-Specific Incontinence Products?
Diapers, pull-ups, and disposable underwear come in three varieties –– male, female, and unisex.
Male and female products are unique in that they feature absorbent material at strategic locations. For example, men's products have absorbent material in the front of the crotch, while women's products have absorbent material at the very bottom. Unisex products have absorbent material in both of these areas.
At first, we recommend trying several different brands and styles. That way, you can choose a product that best aligns with your or your care recipient's needs.
How We Chose the Best Incontinence Underwear for Women
At Carewell, we know the best feedback is from real caregivers doing the job every day! When making our product round-up lists, we rely on product research, insights from our Care Specialists, and caregiver feedback from real Carewell buyers.
The products you'll see on this list are some of Carewell's best-selling incontinence underwear for women, backed up by caregiver and user reviews.
Carewell's Best Incontinence Underwear for Women
Now that you know about the different types of incontinence products, let's take a closer look at some of our best sellers:
1) Tranquility Premium OverNight
Price: $21.99 - $83.00
These unisex pull-ups from Tranquility offer maximum absorbency for both urinary incontinence and bowel incontinence. They feature a Peach Mat core that locks away moisture, keeping your skin dry and odor-free. What's more, the cuff guards provide an extra layer of leak protection, allowing for longer periods between changes.
Key Benefits & Features:
Cloth-like back sheet for increased airflow and comfort
Odor-control technology
Latex-free and hypoallergenic
Tear-away sides for easy removal of the protective underwear
Hear what customers are saying
"This is the best product I have ever used! Greatest comfort, so safe, and no slip-ups. I am completely at ease wearing these, and I am very comfortable with them on. You really get your money's worth. No one holds a handle to Carewell's products - I am 91 years old and I am so happy I found Carewell."
- Patsy H.
2) TENA ProSkin Overnight Super Protective Incontinence Underwear
Price: $22.65 - $86.59
If you experience heavy voids during the night, it can be hard to get restful sleep. Though unisex, this super-protective disposable underwear from TENA is ideal for women. The material protects you from leakage while mimicking the texture and comfort that regular underwear provides.
Key Benefits & Features:
Body-Close Fit that channels liquids away from your skin
Protection from heavy voids
The pad is wider at the bottom for increased absorbency
3) TENA Women Super Plus Heavy Protective Incontinence Underwear
Price: $13.52 - $94.19
This protective underwear is specifically designed for the female physique. It's made of a soft, tri-laminate material that hugs the body while providing maximum absorbency. What's more, the fabric has highly absorbent polymers sewn in that provide long-term protection against bladder leakage.
Key Benefits & Features:
Breathable backing
Super absorbency
A soft, stretchy waistband for a perfect fit
pH balanced for strong odor control
Hear it from a caregiver
"They are everything my mom wants. They are thicker than the ones she used to use, and comfortable as well. Thank you for making my mom feel good while wearing them!"
- Lisa S.
4) ProSkin Protective Underwear, Maximum Absorbency
Price: $16.21 - $51.98
This women's underwear comes in an attractive nude color and looks very similar to traditional briefs. The fabric features ConfioAir 100% Breathable Technology that helps your skin maintain its natural moisture balance. The top sheet promotes airflow, and the absorbent polymers lock away moisture and odors. No wonder these incontinence products are endorsed by the Skin Health Alliance.
Key Benefits & Features:
Curved elastic leg gathers for a snug fit
Looks like real underwear
Uses ConfioAir® 100% breathable technology to help maintain skin’s natural moisture balance
5) Prevail Daily Pull-up Underwear for Women
Price: $12.99 - $53.86
If you experience mild or moderate urinary incontinence, consider these pull-ups from Prevail. They feature absorbent beads in strategic locations, providing an extra layer of leak protection. Other notable features include a breathable barrier that allows odors to escape and MaxSorb Gel technology so your skin stays dry.
Key Benefits & Features:
Designed for women
Soft cotton enhanced top sheet
Free of rubber and latex
Sizing goes up to 2X
Tear away sides
Hear it from a caregiver
"It took a long time for my wife to agree with me regarding care for her incontinence. She didn't think anything would work. I searched the internet and came upon Prevail. I ordered what I thought would be the right one and it was. My wife now uses them every day and night and keeps asking, 'Have you better place another order?'"
-James G.
6) Depend Fit-Flex Pull-up for Women
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These pull-ups from Depend help combat moderate to heavy incontinence. In fact, they can protect against minor bowel voids or bladder leaks and are also ideal for postpartum recovery. The fit-flex material contains form-fitting Lycra, which provides a smooth and flexible fit.
Key benefits & features:
Made in the USA
Odor-guarding polymers to prevent smells
Designed for women
A neutral color and a discreet design
7) Depend Night Defense Pull-Up Underwear for Women
Price: $13.38 - $56.48
These pull-ups from Depend are designed to provide up to 12 hours of protection for women with moderate to heavy incontinence. They feature a soft, absorbent material that keeps you dry and comfortable, even when you're sleeping. The cloth-like backing minimizes noise to ensure discretion.
Key benefits & features:
Maximum absorbency
Latex-free
Contain no lotions or fragrances
Compare Our Products
How to Choose Incontinence Underwear
Type of incontinence: Though most incontinence underwear is made for urinary incontinence, many can be used for bowel incontinence as well. Some incontinence underwear is designed with bowel incontinence in mind. For bowel incontinence, look for a product with a secure, high-cut fit and leg cuffs for extra protection.
Skin sensitivity: If you have extra sensitive skin or a chronic illness like diabetes that increases your risk of skin breakdown, look for incontinence underwear that is labeled with verbiage like “extra breathable” and “max airflow” on the package. You can also look for hypoallergenic products that will be free of latex, fragrances, and allergens and designed to maximize airflow to keep skin dry and protected.
Size: Finding the correct size of incontinence underwear is very important because it will make all the difference in protecting from leaks. Select a diaper based on your regular underwear size and experiment with other sizes as needed. The diaper or pull-up should fit snuggly against your waist and around your legs but not so tightly that they cause pinching or discomfort. You want a comfortable fit that’s also tight enough to catch leaks. Read Carewell’s guide on how to measure yourself to make sure you get the right size diaper.
Absorbency: Women’s overnight incontinence underwear will generally offer the highest levels of absorbency since overnight is usually the longest a user will go without changing a diaper or pull-up. Day-to-day incontinence underwear will come in absorbency levels for mild to moderate incontinence, but you can also find regular day-to-day incontinence underwear in heavy and super absorbency. Consider how much protection you might need, and if you find you’re still experiencing leakage, go up one level of absorbency. Most brands of incontinence underwear will have a scale of absorbency levels listed on the package.
Commonly Asked Questions
1) How do I make sure I pick the right size?
For the most accurate fit, you can take measurements by first measuring the width across your abdomen right below your belly button and then measuring the widest part of your hips. The larger of these two measurements should be the number you use when determining the right size for an adult diaper.
2) How do I discreetly wear incontinence underwear?
Choose the right size. Incontinence underwear should fit snugly against the body, and there should be no gaps around the legs.
Choose incontinence underwear that is made with soft, no-crinkle materials, so you don’t have to worry about any noise as you move.
Drink lots of water. Staying well-hydrated keeps your urine from becoming too acidic and makes odors much less noticeable.
Dress for success. You will likely still be able to wear your favorite clothes as today’s modern incontinence underwear is made to be as discreet as possible. If you are worried about the diaper showing through or accidental leaks, wear loose, darker-colored clothing.
3) Can I increase absorbency by doubling up on products?
Instead of doubling up on products, consider adding a booster pad to your incontinence underwear. A booster pad is a disposable, absorbent pad that you can insert into incontinence underwear to give it an extra “boost” of protection.
Takeaways
According to the Mayo Clinic, 50% of adult women are affected by incontinence, and that number increases to 75% in women 65 and older. Luckily, if you’re one of the thousands of women, young and old, who is managing incontinence, there are great products out there that can help make things easier.
Finding the right incontinence underwear can make a big difference in your day-to-day comfort and quality of life. When selecting incontinence underwear, remember to focus on sizing, absorbency, skin sensitivity, and type of incontinence.
Have Questions About Incontinence Underwear?
If you have questions about incontinence underwear, contact our friendly Care Specialists at any time. Call (800) 696-CARE or send an email to support@carewell.com.
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Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.
Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.