Incontinence Products: Types, Absorbency and NHS Help

Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.

Incontinence products range from thin, discreet pads for small leaks to pull-up pants and bed protection for heavier ones. Before you settle into buying them, see your GP or local NHS continence service: bladder and bowel leaks are common, are often treatable, and pads may be supplied free after an assessment.

See someone first

Leaking urine or having trouble controlling your bowels is not something you simply have to put up with as you get older. The NHS is clear that it is a common problem and that there are treatments. Products help you manage; they do not treat the cause.

Start with your GP surgery. You can ask to see a nurse if you prefer, and you can ask for a male or female clinician. In some areas you can contact the local NHS continence service (sometimes called the bladder and bowel service) directly, without going through your GP: your surgery or NHS 111 can tell you.

Watch out: See your GP promptly, or ring NHS 111, if leaks start suddenly, or if you have pain, blood in your urine or stools, a burning feeling when you pass urine, or a change in bowel habit that lasts. These need checking and are not something to manage with pads.

Getting products from the NHS

The NHS says that continence clinics and district nurses can supply pads for people with more severe leaks, but that what is available depends on your local NHS organisation and you may need to be assessed first. In practice that means:

You will normally be asked to try treatment first, such as pelvic floor exercises, bladder training or a change of medicine.
If products are agreed, they are usually delivered to your home every few months. The type and the number per day are set locally, and you may be offered a different product from the one you have been buying.
Rules vary from area to area and between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. If the supply does not meet your needs, ask for a review.

If you care for someone, ask at the same assessment about bed protection, disposal and laundry, which some councils help with. See discounts for carers.

Types of product

Product	What it is	Best for
Liners and small shaped pads	Thin pads that stick inside your own close-fitting underwear	Light leaks, for example when coughing or laughing
Pads for men	Pouch-shaped or shield-shaped pads designed for male anatomy	Light leaks and dribbling
Large shaped pads with stretch pants	A bigger pad held in place by washable net or stretch pants	Moderate to heavy leaks
Pull-up pants	Disposable absorbent pants, worn like ordinary underwear	Moderate to heavy leaks in people who can manage their own clothing
All-in-one pads with side tabs	Wrap-around products fastened with tapes	Heavy leaks, and people who are changed by a carer or in bed
Washable absorbent underwear	Ordinary-looking pants with a built-in absorbent layer	Light leaks; cheaper over time and less waste
Bed and chair pads	Disposable or washable absorbent sheets, and waterproof mattress covers	Protecting furniture and bedding at night

Choosing absorbency and size

Packs usually show absorbency as a row of droplets or a number. There is no single standard between brands, so one brand's "5 drops" is not the same as another's. Use the scale to compare products within one brand, and expect some trial and error.

Do not over-buy on absorbency. A bigger pad than you need is bulkier, hotter and dearer. Many people use a lighter product by day and a more absorbent one at night.
Fit matters more than size of pad. Most leaks come from a poor fit, not from too little absorbency. For pants and all-in-ones, measure your waist and hips and use the maker's chart.
Use products made for the purpose. Pads made for periods are designed for a different kind of fluid and do not cope well with urine. Never wear two pads at once: it makes leaks more likely, not less.
Try before you stock up. Many manufacturers send free samples if you ask by phone or on their website.

Tip: The NHS points to two independent sources of help with choosing: the charity Bladder & Bowel UK, which runs a helpline, and the Continence Product Advisor website, which is written by health professionals and does not sell anything.

What it costs and how to save

As a rough guide only, small pads cost from around 10p to 40p each, and pull-up pants from around 40p to £1 or more each, depending on brand, absorbency and pack size. Over a year, that adds up.

Compare the price per pad, not per pack. Supermarket and pharmacy own brands are often much cheaper than the best-known names.
Buying larger packs from a specialist online supplier usually cuts the unit price, and delivery is in plain packaging. See online shopping for beginners.
If your incontinence is caused by a long-term illness or disability, you may be able to buy products without paying VAT. The supplier will ask you to sign a short declaration. See VAT relief on mobility aids.
If your needs are substantial, ask about Attendance Allowance, which is based on the help you need, including with getting to and using the toilet.

Common questions

Are incontinence pads free for over-60s?

Not on age. NHS supply depends on an assessment of need and on local rules. Ask your GP surgery to refer you to the continence service.

Can I get pads on prescription?

Pads are not normally supplied on an ordinary prescription. Where the NHS provides them, it is usually through the continence service's home delivery scheme.

I am too embarrassed to ask. What can I do?

Nurses and pharmacists deal with this every day. If saying it aloud is hard, write it down and hand over the note, or ring the Bladder & Bowel UK helpline first to talk it through.