Written by Chad Birt on Mon Dec 30 2024.
While both sexes experience incontinence, women are more than twice as likely to be affected than men, according to data from the Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research. If you're managing incontinence yourself or assisting a loved one, high-quality personal care products can significantly improve comfort and confidence.
To make the process easier, we've curated a list of our best incontinence underwear for women. This article will cover everything you need to know to make informed product decisions, including what incontinence underwear is, how different types work, and a detailed list of our top recommendations. You'll also find a quick comparison chart and answers to commonly asked questions.
Let's dive in so you can confidently and discreetly manage incontinence.
"Incontinence underwear" is a broad term encompassing various absorbent products designed to manage bladder or bowel leaks. Here's a breakdown of common types:
Diapers (briefs with tabs): These protective undergarments feature adjustable tabs on the sides and offer maximum absorbency, particularly beneficial for overnight use or heavy incontinence. They're designed for easy application and removal, especially helpful for caregivers.
Pull-ups (absorbent underwear): Designed to look and fit like regular underwear, pull-on styles provide added leak protection. They're disposable and easy to pull on and off, making them ideal for individuals with some mobility.
Liners (pads/inserts): A liner is an absorbent pad that you slip inside a diaper or pull-up for an extra layer of protection and increased absorbency, extending wear time.
Underpads (chux): These large, absorbent sheets are designed to protect bedding, furniture, or wheelchairs from leaks. They're especially helpful for individuals who spend a lot of time in bed or a wheelchair.
As a good rule of thumb, pull-up underwear is often best for those caring for themselves and who have sufficient mobility. On the other hand, diapers with tabs tend to be easier for caregivers assisting someone with limited mobility or for individuals who are bedridden, as they allow for changes without needing to remove clothing.
Incontinence diapers, pull-ups, and disposable underwear come in three main varieties: male, female, and unisex.
The primary difference lies in the strategic placement of absorbent material.
Men's products typically feature more absorbency in the front of the crotch area.
Women's products concentrate absorbency more towards the bottom and middle.
Unisex products provide absorbent material in both areas to accommodate a wider range of needs.
We recommend trying several different brands and styles at first. This allows you to find the product that best aligns with your or your care recipient's specific needs, comfort, and desired level of protection.
At Carewell, we believe the best product recommendations come from real-world experience. When creating our product round-up lists, we rely on a combination of:
Extensive product research.
Insights from our expert Care Specialists.
Valuable feedback and reviews from real Carewell customers and caregivers.
The products featured on this list are among Carewell's best-selling incontinence underwear for women, highly rated and backed by genuine user experiences.
Now that you know about the different types of incontinence products, let's take a closer look at some of our best sellers:
Carewell Incontinence Underwear Overnight & Heavy Full Coverage Fit
TENA ProSkin Overnight Super Protective Adult Incontinence Underwear, Heavy Absorbency
TENA Stylish Super Plus Incontinence Underwear for Women, Heavy Absorbency
TENA ProSkin Protective Incontinence Underwear for Women, Maximum Absorbency
Prevail Adult Incontinence Protective Underwear for Women, Maximum Absorbency
Carewell Overnight Incontinence Pull-Up Underwear, Leak Resistant
These disposable pull-ons are ideal for anyone experiencing heavy urinary incontinence, especially those who need reliable, overnight protection. If you're looking for a product that combines comfort, security, and exceptional absorbency, this underwear is for you.
Key Benefits & Features:
Extra-wide absorbent core in the front and back
Protects against leaks for side, back, and stomach sleepers
Secure fit with anti-sagging threads
Odor technology helps protect against smells for up to 8 hours
Ultra-soft, comfortable, and hypoallergenic fabric
Sticky tab on back makes disposal easy and compact
Made in Italy
Customer Review: "Finally found a pull-up that actually works. No leaks and comfortable, and huge capacity. Far less odor and less laundering of bed sheets." - Richard M
If you experience heavy voids during the night, it can be hard to get restful sleep. Though unisex, this super-protective disposable underwear from TENA is ideal for women. The material protects you from leakage while mimicking the texture and comfort that regular underwear provides.
Key Benefits & Features:
Body-Close Fit that channels liquids away from your skin
Protection from heavy voids
The pad is wider at the bottom for increased absorbency
Customer Review: "Very good product. All Desposible Underwear should be patterned after this product. Compared to all other underwear that I have tried in my 70 years on this Earth it is truly THE GOLD STANDARD!!!" - Sandra T.
Price: $22.58 - $72.68
This protective underwear is specifically designed for the female physique. It's made of a soft, tri-laminate material that hugs the body while providing maximum absorbency. What's more, the fabric has highly absorbent polymers sewn in that provide long-term protection against bladder leakage.
Key Benefits & Features:
Breathable backing
Super absorbency
A soft, stretchy waistband for a perfect fit
pH balanced for strong odor control
Customer Review: "They are everything my mom wants. They are thicker than the ones she used to use, and comfortable as well. Thank you for making my mom feel good while wearing them!" - Lisa S.
Price: $17.89 - $61.69
This women's underwear comes in an attractive nude color and looks very similar to traditional briefs. The fabric features ConfioAir 100% Breathable Technology that helps your skin maintain its natural moisture balance. The top sheet promotes airflow, and the absorbent polymers lock away moisture and odors. No wonder these incontinence products are endorsed by the Skin Health Alliance.
Key Benefits & Features:
Curved elastic leg gathers for a snug fit
Looks like real underwear
Uses ConfioAir® 100% breathable technology to help maintain skin’s natural moisture balance
Customer Review: "Love these! Great fit and feel great. Good absorption without leakage." - Susan D.
Price: $12.99 - $60.91
If you experience mild or moderate urinary incontinence, consider these pull-ups from Prevail. They feature absorbent beads in strategic locations, providing an extra layer of leak protection. Other notable features include a breathable barrier that allows odors to escape and MaxSorb Gel technology so your skin stays dry.
Key Benefits & Features:
Designed for women
Soft cotton enhanced top sheet
Free of rubber and latex
Sizing goes up to 2X
Tear away sides
Customer Review: "It took a long time for my wife to agree with me regarding care for her incontinence. She didn't think anything would work. I searched the internet and came upon Prevail. I ordered what I thought would be the right one and it was. My wife now uses them every day and night and keeps asking, 'Have you better place another order?'" -James G.
Price: $15.49 - $79.25
These pull-ups from Depend help combat moderate to heavy incontinence. In fact, they can protect against minor bowel voids or bladder leaks and are also ideal for postpartum recovery. The fit-flex material contains form-fitting Lycra, which provides a smooth and flexible fit.
Key benefits & features:
Made in the USA
Odor-guarding polymers to prevent smells
Designed for women
A neutral color and a discreet design
Customer Review: "Comfortable, adequate coverage felt protective but not bulky." - Jana L.
These pull-ups from Depend are designed to provide up to 12 hours of protection for women with moderate to heavy incontinence. They feature a soft, absorbent material that keeps you dry and comfortable, even when you're sleeping. The cloth-like backing minimizes noise to ensure discretion.
Key benefits & features:
Maximum absorbency
Latex-free
Contain no lotions or fragrances
Customer Review: "These offer protection during 12 hours as stated on the package and are comfortable!" - JT
This overnight underwear is the premier choice for women managing heavy incontinence, offering exceptional protection and comfort in a single, streamlined product. The Carewell Overnight Underwear, Leak Resistant, features an innovative, body-forming core designed to hold up to four cups of liquid for up to 12 hours of dependable leak and odor protection, giving you a truly restful night. It's an excellent option for sensitive skin, thanks to breathable, gentle fabrics and quick-absorption channels that rapidly draw moisture away, helping to maintain your skin's essential dryness. Enjoy a confident, gap-free fit and ultimate comfort that contours naturally to a woman’s body, proving that max protection doesn't have to mean sacrificing discretion or skin health.
Key Benefits & Features:
Pull on style absorbs up to 4 cups of liquid (Small absorbs 3 cups)
Innovative larger body-forming core with rapid-absorption channels
Available in sizes Small through XXL
Made in the USA with U.S. and imported materials
Customer Review: “ Great new product! My husband used another brand name overnight pull-up day and night for the past 2 years, which worked well but very expensive. The new Carewell overnight underwear is just as absorbent, but seems easier to put on and gives a more comfortable fit - very soft. You also can't beat the price! Well done Carewell!" - Vern R.
| Carewell Incontinence Underwear Overnight & Heavy Full Coverage Fit | TENA ProSkin Overnight Super Protective Adult Incontinence Underwear, Heavy Absorbency | TENA Stylish Super Plus Incontinence Underwear for Women, Heavy Absorbency | TENA ProSkin Protective Incontinence Underwear for Women, Maximum Absorbency | Prevail Adult Incontinence Protective Underwear for Women, Maximum Absorbency | Depend Fresh Protection Underwear for Women, Maximum | Depend Night Defense Pull-Up Underwear for Women, Overnight | Carewell Overnight Incontinence Pull-Up Underwear, Leak Resistant | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gender | Unisex | Unisex | Womens | Womens | Womens | Womens | Womens | Unisex |
| Size | S-XL | M-XL | S/M-XL | S/M-XL | S-2XL | S-2XL | S-XL | S-XXL |
| Absorbency | Heavy | Heavy | Super plus heavy | Maximum Absorbency | Maximum Absorbency | Maximum | Maximum | Heavy |
| FSA & HSA Eligible | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Color | White | White | White | Nude | Lavender | Blush | Blush | White |
Selecting the right incontinence underwear involves a few key considerations:
Type of incontinence: While most incontinence underwear is made for urinary incontinence, many can also be used for bowel incontinence. Some products are specifically designed with bowel incontinence in mind. For this, look for a product with a secure, high-cut fit and leg cuffs for extra protection.
Skin sensitivity: If you have extra sensitive skin or a chronic illness like diabetes that increases your risk of skin breakdown, look for incontinence underwear labeled with phrases like “extra breathable” and “max airflow.” Also, opt for hypoallergenic products that are free of latex, fragrances, and common allergens, as these are designed to maximize airflow and keep skin dry and protected.
Size: Finding the correct size is crucial for preventing leaks and ensuring comfort. Select a diaper based on your regular underwear size, and don't hesitate to experiment with other sizes as needed. The diaper or pull-up should fit snugly against your waist and around your legs, but not so tightly that it causes pinching or discomfort. You want a comfortable fit that's also secure enough to catch leaks. For precise measurements, refer to Carewell’s guide on how to measure yourself for the right adult diaper size.
Absorbency: Women’s overnight incontinence underwear generally offers the highest levels of absorbency, as overnight is typically the longest period a user will go without changing. Day-to-day incontinence underwear comes in absorbency levels ranging from mild to moderate, but you can also find regular daily options in heavy and super absorbency. Consider how much protection you need; if you're still experiencing leakage, go up one level of absorbency. Most brands clearly indicate their absorbency levels on the packaging.
For the most accurate fit, measure the width across your abdomen right below your belly button, and then measure the widest part of your hips. The larger of these two measurements should be the number you use when determining the right size for adult incontinence underwear.
Recommended Reading: How to Choose the Right Adult Diaper Size: A Complete Sizing Guide
Choose the right size: Incontinence underwear should fit snugly against the body with no gaps around the legs.
Opt for quiet materials: Select incontinence underwear made with soft, no-crinkle materials to avoid any noise as you move.
Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water keeps your urine from becoming too acidic, which makes odors much less noticeable.
Dress strategically: Modern incontinence underwear is designed to be as discreet as possible, so you'll likely still be able to wear your favorite clothes. If you're concerned about the product showing through or accidental leaks, consider wearing loose, darker-colored clothing.
Instead of doubling up on products, which can be bulky and less effective, consider adding a booster pad to your incontinence underwear. A booster pad is a disposable, absorbent insert that you can place inside your incontinence underwear to provide an extra "boost" of protection and absorbency.
Incontinence is a common experience, affecting 50% of adult women, with that number rising to 75% in women aged 65 and older, according to the Mayo Clinic. Fortunately, for the thousands of women, young and old, managing incontinence, there are excellent products available to make daily life easier.
Finding the right incontinence underwear can significantly improve your day-to-day comfort and quality of life. When making your selection, remember to focus on key factors like sizing, absorbency level, skin sensitivity, and the type of incontinence you're managing.
If you have more questions about incontinence underwear, don't hesitate to contact our friendly Care Specialists at any time. Call us at (800) 696-CARE or send an email to support@carewell.com.
Whether you're a mom trying to get your little one to make it to the toilet on time, or a family caregiver responsible for keeping your senior loved one comfortable, this blog has the information you need to make bedtime less stressful for everyone.
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Medically Reviewed by Kiera Powell, R.N.
Chad Birt is a freelance medical writer who resides in Astoria, Oregon. When he isn't behind a keyboard, you can find him hiking, camping, or birdwatching with his wife Ella and their two dogs, Diane and Thoreau.
