Not many people dream of ever using adult diapers (or incontinence briefs, as they’re alternatively called). Any sane adult would be averse to the idea of wearing nappies.
However, we can never predict how our health will pan out. As we approach our senior years, we must confront the sad possibility of developing urinary and/or bladder incontinence.
Fortunately, there’s no need to fret if you ever join the statistics of the millions of people living with urinary incontinence worldwide. Adult diapers have made it incredibly easy to manage incontinence issues and live a quality life.
Of course, picking the right diaper for you is a little challenging. And that’s where we come in.
We’ve put together a definitive guide to choosing adult diapers for women. Read on for insights before you go shopping for these incontinence products.
Understanding Adult Diapers for Women
Most adult diapers you’ll come across are unisex. However, many brands today also manufacture gender-specific incontinence briefs. So, you’re likely to stumble into women diapers as well as briefs designed exclusively for male wearers.
The first is understanding the core differences between male and female adult diapers.
Gender-specific incontinence briefs differ primarily in the location of their absorbent material.
Female adult diapers typically have an absorbent layer at the underwear’s bottom. The material mostly covers the front of the underwear for male incontinence briefs.
These design differences are meant to coincide with the general location of the female and male genitalia, respectively. However, they only apply to briefs specifically meant for urinary incontinence.
Adult diapers designed for both urinary and bowel incontinence usually have absorbent material running from the front to the backside. This allows the brief to effectively soak up both urinary and fecal fluids.
Below are other core differences between male and female adult diapers:
1. General Appearance
Males and females have different body contours, especially with regard to their pelvic areas. The same applies to gender-specific adult diapers.
Briefs for women usually resemble female panties, while those designed for men look a lot like male cotton boxers.
2. Colors and Patterns
Women are generally mesmerized by warm, bright colors and patterns. So, it’s not unusual that most female adult diapers appear in brilliant shades like white, red, orange, and yellow.
On the other hand, men prefer muted-out colors. That explains why male briefs typically come in black, gray, blue, and green.
Tips for Choosing Women Adult Diapers
1. Find a Trusted Brand
There are numerous adult diaper brands to sample. However, you want to choose a product that delivers both quality and durability.
Therefore, research a brand’s reputation before ordering female adult diapers.
Insist on incontinence brief manufacturers that enjoy a relatively long industry presence, preferably 5+ years. Be sure to also read online reviews for insights into what many shoppers had to say about the brand’s products and services.
2. Pick Between Reusable and Disposable Diapers
Disposable incontinence briefs for women are perfect for occasional diaper wearers. These products are excellent if you take a long trip and do not expect to reuse your diapers.
On the other hand, reusable briefs are ideal for frequent diaper wearers. Such diapers are designed with robust fabrics that can withstand multiple washes without getting frayed.
The choice between disposable and reusable female adult diapers also depends on cost considerations.
Reusable briefs are more cost-effective in the long run. That’s because you can use a single diaper piece several times before discarding it. Besides, you’ll likely purchase reusable diapers in bulk, potentially getting them at discounted prices.
3. Know Your Size
Size is arguably the biggest consideration when shopping for adult diapers. Whether you opt for unisex or gender-specific incontinence briefs, you’ll need them to fit perfectly around your waist.
Overly tight diapers can cause great discomfort besides chafing the skin. You must keep adjusting the brief every other minute to relieve the pressure or align it with your bottom.
Very large diapers aren’t appropriate either. Such briefs promote leaking and may protrude above your waistline, inadvertently giving you away.
The surest way for women to find a properly fitting adult diaper is to measure their waist size. You can pick the right product based on the manufacturer’s sizing chart.
4. Understand Your Condition
Most people use adult diapers to manage urinary incontinence. However, some rely on these products for both urinary and fecal incontinence.
Remember that the design of the absorbent material differs depending on the type of incontinence the brief is meant to address.
So, consider your specific condition (or that of the patient if you’re a caregiver) when shopping for adult diapers for women.
5. Check the Thickness of the Absorbency Layer
The location of the absorbency layer in an adult diaper determines whether the product is meant for male or female wearers, or if it addresses urinary or bowel incontinence.
However, the material’s thickness depends on the severity of the user’s condition. Insist on incontinence briefs with thicker pads for severe leakage.
While a thicker absorbent layer soaks up urinary discharge more effectively, very thick pads may cause discomfort.
Wrap Up
Choosing the right adult diaper is the first step in addressing incontinence issues. While most of these products are unisex, some are gender-specific. Hopefully, this article gave you the insights you need to pick the best female incontinence briefs.
