Health Information and Tools > Patient Care Handouts >  Learning About Adult Protective Underwear for Women

Main Content

Learning About Adult Protective Underwear for Women

Adult protective underwear may be helpful for a person who has incontinence. A person who has incontinence has trouble controlling urine or stool. This underwear helps absorb urine and catch stool.

There are different types of adult underwear. A washable type may be useful when a person has trouble using the disposable type.

When putting on adult underwear, make sure the tabs are in the back. Make sure the underwear is the right size so that it fits well. This is important for people who are very thin or overweight. The elastic at the legs should fit well and not be too loose. A good fit can help stop leaks. And it can keep the skin from getting sore.

What are the types for women?

Some types of adult underwear are a pull-up style (made of elastic or cloth), and some use adhesive tabs or an elastic band with buttons.

Elastic

Pull-up adult underwear with a wide elastic band.
slide 1 of 4
slide 1 of 4, Elastic,

An elastic pull-up style is made of a stretchy material.

Adhesive tab pull-up

Pull-up adult underwear with adhesive tabs on each side.
slide 2 of 4
slide 2 of 4, Adhesive tab pull-up,

Adhesive tab styles have tabs to help adjust and secure the underwear.

Cloth

Cloth pull-up adult underwear.
slide 3 of 4
slide 3 of 4, Cloth,

Cloth pull-up styles are made to look and feel like standard briefs.

Elastic bands or buttons

Pull-up adult underwear with elastic bands that attach to the front.
slide 4 of 4
slide 4 of 4, Elastic bands or buttons,

Elastic band and button styles use stretchy bands with buttons at the end to secure the pull-up on each side.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter L497 in the search box to learn more about "Learning About Adult Protective Underwear for Women".

Care instructions adapted under license by your healthcare professional. If you have questions about a medical condition or this instruction, always ask your healthcare professional. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information.