Menopause is a natural phase of life that can bring both physical and emotional changes. During the time leading up to menopause (also known as perimenopause), you might experience some light urinary incontinence (the unintentional passing of little drops of pee).
Although this is a change to your body, incontinence is extremely common and can be managed effectively with the right support.
But before we look at how washable incontinence pants can help, let's learn more about menopause.
Why does menopause cause incontinence?
During menopause, our oestrogen levels decrease, which has a number of effects on our bodies. You may notice trouble sleeping due to night sweats or hot flushes occurring during the day.
Other symptoms include:
- Thinning of the lining of the urethra
- Vaginal dryness
- Weight gain
These symptoms are all associated with the inability to hold in urine for longer periods of time. [1]
One of the most common reasons for menopausal incontinence is the weakening of your pelvic floor muscles. Your pelvic muscles wrap firmly around passages like the urethra, anus and vagina. Therefore, when these muscles become weaker, it is easier for urine to leak through.
Different types of incontinence
Incontinence caused by menopause can appear differently depending on your hormone levels, existing health conditions and stress levels. Let's look at the different common types of incontinence that menopause can cause:
- Stress incontinence — this occurs when there is pressure on your bladder, such as when you laugh, cough or sneeze.
- Overflow incontinence — this is when your bladder can never fully empty, so you need to use the bathroom more often.
- Urge incontinence — this happens when you feel a strong, sudden urge to urinate, causing a loss of bladder control. This feeling will usually lead to a leak.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, keep reading to find out more about how to deal with menopausal incontinence.
Dealing with menopausal incontinence
Although incontinence can be a new experience for your body, it shouldn't affect how you live your everyday life. That's why we've created washable underwear to help you feel confident no matter what comes your way. They protect you from light leaks and moisture throughout the day.
How can TENA's washable pants for incontinence help?
TENA's washable pants are crafted to provide protection and comfort — offering the reliable support you need during the considerable life change of menopause.
Here are some of the ways that TENA washable incontinence underwear can help you during menopause:
No compromise on comfort
Our washable pants are super comfortable, so you can feel good while dealing with menopause symptoms. The pants use a stretchy, soft and breathable fabric to keep you feeling great.
Different styles to suit you and your everyday
The pants are indistinguishable from your everyday underwear. Whether you prefer a soft cotton pant or classic style, or love the regular-waisted regular cut, you can still feel confident while being protected against light leaks!
How do the washable pants work?
The smart design of textile technology in our pants has a built-in protective gusset made of four layers, each with a very specific function—to protect you from light urine leaks.
- Moisture-wicking layer - Soft top fabric that quickly drains the surface to keep your skin dry.
- Double absorption layers - Absorb and hold liquid to keep you fresh.
- Liquid barrier layer - Keeps liquid in the product.
- Breathable body fabric - Stretchy, ultra-soft and breathable to keep you comfortable and feel like your regular underwear.
How long can I wear them for?
Our washable underwear for incontinence has been developed for light leaks. How long you can wear your underwear really depends on how much you leak. We're all different, and leaks can be unpredictable during menopause.
But don't worry! Our pants are easy to wash - TENA's washable menopause pants for incontinence can be washed along with your clothes at 40 degrees, so you can pop them in the washer and wear them over and over again.
Can I wear pants for incontinence at night-time?
While menopause can cause difficulty sleeping, leaking during the night can be one less worry with TENA.
If you experience odd light drops of pee during the night, you can wear TENA washable underwear to keep you feeling protected. If you think you need additional protection, TENA has a wide range of liners, pads and pants to choose from for the night-time.
Finding the right support
Going through menopause is a natural part of any woman’s life. Understanding what happens to your body during this time can help you stay happy and healthy through the changes. It's important to have support around you. Talking to loved ones and friends can be a good way to share your experience so you don't feel like you're going through menopause alone.
There are also support groups available for women going through menopause. Joining a group can help you hear other people's similar experiences and gain advice on how to handle the changes you are going through. Whatever your situation, TENA is here to support you.
Want to learn more about TENA's range of washable incontinence pants? Discover how to find your size and TENA Washable underwear for when you experience incontinence during exercise.
References
1. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/introduction-to-menopause/
2. https://www.healthline.com/health/menopause/urinary-incontinence/
3. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-incontinence/10-ways-to-stop-leaks/
4. https://guysandstthomasspecialistcare.co.uk/news/menopause-and-urinary-incontinence/
