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Anyone tried period pants for mild incontinence? How did you get on?

(46 Posts)
Notagranny44 Wed 01-Sept-21 14:36:07

I've been using pads for quite a few years now, as insurance against stress incontinence. They are not environmentally friendly, so today, after reading an article in the Guardian, I thought I would give them a try. Has anyone tried them and did you like them and find them effective? I would so value your advice!

felice Wed 01-Sept-21 14:38:47

I have been thinking the same, they are expensive so any advice would be much appreciated.

Notagranny44 Wed 01-Sept-21 14:44:58

Yes, fairly expensive although available from M&S, Asda & Sainsbury or online for about £12 a pair, which isn't bad when you consider the cost of using pads.

DillytheGardener Wed 01-Sept-21 14:47:29

I think the Modibodi ones personally are the best - the highest absorbency ones. Other wise you have to take spare pants out with you to change into if you do have an accident as the others don’t seem to go for two accidents in a day if you’re unlucky.

I swapped over and totted up the numbers and I’ve saved money longer term.

I wish I’d had these as a youngster!!

crazyH Wed 01-Sept-21 14:51:01

I need one of those

Notagranny44 Wed 01-Sept-21 14:51:30

Thank you Dilly that's good to know. What sort of price are they?

Grannynannywanny Wed 01-Sept-21 15:04:45

Notagranny44 there should be a continence nurse accessible via your GP surgery. She will assess your needs and you may be able to have washable incontinence pads provided on the NHS.

I have a learning disabled relative who has used them for many years. After the initial questionnaire by the nurse he has been provided with 6 new pairs annually. They are plain white cotton pants with an inbuilt washable pad in the gusset. Easily machine washed and very absorbent for any leaks.

Notagranny44 Wed 01-Sept-21 15:05:08

I also noticed that period pants are taxed as "luxury goods" and carry VAT at 20%. That's scandalous!

Hithere Wed 01-Sept-21 15:06:56

If anybody can sew,
The fabric called zorb is amazing

Combine with with pul and soft cotton - a winner combination

Grannynannywanny Wed 01-Sept-21 15:11:45

PS to my previous post while we are on the topic of incontinence. I know how expensive pads are if required long term. So, it will be worthwhile for anybody who requires a continuous supply to ask via their GP practice for an appointment with the continence nurse. There should be a community nurse covering several health centres. Once assessed you may be able to have your pads supplied on prescription.

You might be able to do a self referral on the practice website.

Blossoming Wed 01-Sept-21 15:14:18

I tried Modibodi, nice fit, worked well. Unfortunately I had a dreadful skin reaction to the ‘padded’ part after a few days and had to stop. I’m probably the odd person out though, I have had auto immune responses to a great many otherwise harmless substances. I did tell the manufacturers.

DillytheGardener Wed 01-Sept-21 15:16:31

I use these ones, (link below). They are comfortable and they actually state they are mixed use heavy period/light to moderate bladder leaks, which the cheaper ones don’t .

I find the cheaper ones, the gusset doesn’t go up far enough so there is a chance of leaks. These ones I feel secure. They have 10% off for first purchase if you sign up. I bought mine when I saw a online voucher.

Dh has no idea what they are for and thinks they are normal pants.

www.modibodi.co.uk/products/sensual-hi-waist-bikini-heavy-overnight

DillytheGardener Wed 01-Sept-21 15:18:49

Grannynannywanny that’s good to know for the future if it gets worse. I treated myself, my issues are down to childbirth and I felt I deserve to have something that made me feel womanly than something more medical. But also I realise not everyone is so lucky to be able to afford them and also no one sees them!

Pittcity Wed 01-Sept-21 15:20:57

I love Modibodi. They are very comfortable but take a while to dry after washing.

I have tried Giggleknickers too. These can be tumble dried but are bulkier between the legs.

They are £20-£25 a pair, but there are discounts for first time buyers and bulk buys. Less than a year's worth of pads and more comfortable.

Notagranny44 Wed 01-Sept-21 15:42:17

Thank you GrannyNannyWanny, but I am not at that stage just yet and up to now the "3 drop" pads have been OK. I'd want something that looks "normal" if you see what I mean, likeDillytheGardener

Grannynannywanny Wed 01-Sept-21 16:02:06

I know what you mean Notagranny44. The pants I’m referring to are plain white pants for the ladies and y-fronts style for men. The ladies ones are Bridget Jones style full pants!

Farmor15 Wed 01-Sept-21 16:11:26

I read the Guardian article today and was interested. For those who have tried them, how do they cope with odour? The disposable pads available seem to have some deodorizing properties but I wonder how the pants cope?

nexus63 Wed 01-Sept-21 16:17:15

i have vulvar cancer, after the biopsy i kept getting infected so had to wear pads, the hospital gave me some but they are like large nappies, i wear trousers all the time so not suitable, called my gp and they give another number (scotland), the nurse gave me the same large nappies that don't fit in my knickers, it took a while to find something suitable as i have never used pads always tampons, now wearing tena washable and seem to be working even with small leaks, will have a look at others that have been mentioned.

Notagranny44 Wed 01-Sept-21 16:27:38

Oh Nexus53 I'm so sorry! I was quite poorly in hospital with my heart about two years ago and my control "down there" went out the window (or down the pa!). I stocked up on the medical type of nappy and stretch pants but thank goodness, after my meds were sorted out and I was not so ill, the Always Discreet pads have been enough and much more discrete. I have a much younger partner and don't want to look geriatric even though I sometimes am. I like that ModiBodi do free delivery on all orders, so I think I'll order some to try.

Notagranny44 Wed 01-Sept-21 16:29:26

Will have a look at Tena washable too. Thanks Nexus

Esspee Wed 01-Sept-21 16:40:57

I have a friend who works as a physio specialising in incontinence. Patients are referred to her by the GPS. She is horrified that the manufacturers are normalising incontinence, making us believe we just have to put up with it and this seems to be the attitude on this thread.
She gives her patients an exercise programme designed to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and says those who keep with the programme see great results in about 4 months.
Surely it is worth a try? See your doctor.

Ailidh Wed 01-Sept-21 16:51:45

I use reusable cloth pads with poppers, mostly for reassurance than huge need. I honestly didn't know reusable pants were a thing - I'll go and look. Are they the same as the advertisement for the woman who wants to wear a mini skirt, not a pencil skirt? I tend to tune out and thought they were disposables.
A-googling I go.

dogsmother Wed 01-Sept-21 16:51:55

Esspee you are correct. It is a terrible thing that people should have to be paying out for theses pads without getting the treatment available in a lot of cases it would help so much.

shysal Wed 01-Sept-21 17:23:45

Ailidh

I use reusable cloth pads with poppers, mostly for reassurance than huge need. I honestly didn't know reusable pants were a thing - I'll go and look. Are they the same as the advertisement for the woman who wants to wear a mini skirt, not a pencil skirt? I tend to tune out and thought they were disposables.
A-googling I go.

I am occasionally prone to stress incontinence so like to wear a pantie liner (Tena Lights), but I have recently ordered some washable cloth liners from the Ethical Superstore. They also sell the pants, which are not the disposable ones you have seen.
www.ethicalsuperstore.com/category/beauty-health-and-wellbeing/menstrual-care/reusable-sanitary-pads/

shysal Wed 01-Sept-21 17:27:54

These are the pants:
www.ethicalsuperstore.com/category/beauty-health-and-wellbeing/menstrual-care/period-underwear/