Continence pads and pants should help to prevent leaking onto clothing or into the person’s chair or bed.  

Pads which leak could be because the person needing them is:

• constipated and has excessive incontinence due to pressure from the bowel.
• on diuretic medications (to increase their urine output) or new medications which can cause increased bladder or bowel irritability.
• They may have a urine infection that can lead to increased incontinence.

Medical issues such as these listed above should be checked and discussed with the person’s doctor.

If pads leak, the person should check the pad is being correctly fitted and is secure between the legs. The person needing the pad should not wear their clothes too loose because the pad may move. The pad should be the correct size, particularly if they are pull-on pants and should be absorbent enough to meet the person’s needs.

If pads and pants do not fit correctly the person needing them may need a review from a continence or registered nurse. They may need to try a sample of different pads.