Understanding the Types of Continence Aids: Pads, Pants, Catheters & More

For the millions of people living with incontinence across Australia, choosing the right types of continence aids provides vital comfort, supports daily hygiene, and ensures confidence and quality of life. Pads, liners, pants, briefs, catheters, and more all help to prevent leakage, discomfort, and embarrassment in different ways, designed for bodies of all shapes and sizes.

Throughout my healthcare career, I’ve helped many different people find the continence aids they need to go about their daily lives - and what works for one person won’t always work for another.

So, in this guide, I will take you through the main types of continence aids available, how to choose the right type, usage and care tips, where to find them, and how to obtain financial support.

What Are Continence Aids and Their Benefits? 

Continence aids are personal hygiene products that help people manage the symptoms and outcomes of living with bladder or bowel incontinence. These products can help to absorb urine, prevent leakage, and ensure users stay as clean, comfortable, and dry as possible during day-to-day activities.

Choosing the right aid for your type and level of incontinence can help you feel more confident, independent, and in control, no matter where you are. Most types of continence aids are temporary or reusable, and can be discreetly managed and disposed of at your convenience.

Types of Continence Aids 

The most common types of continence aids available include absorbent pads and liners, adult pants and briefs, catheters, and furniture dressings. Each aid serves a slightly different purpose and may be used for a variety of needs.

Absorbent Pads and Liners

Pads and liners are designed to be applied via the user’s underwear and come in a variety of absorbency levels. They are typically used for urinary or bladder incontinence, and can be disposable or washable.

Disposable pads and liners can adhere to underwear and are designed to be anti-slip. They should only be used once and then safely disposed of. For lighter incontinence, I recommend the washable variety, which can be used several times over.

Disposable pads may also be used for bowel incontinence, though users may feel more comfortable wearing pants or briefs.

Adult Pants and Briefs

Similar to pads and liners, pants and briefs are designed to absorb urine and protect wearers from moisture. Pants and briefs are also recommended in cases of bowel incontinence.

Like pads, adult pants may also arrive in disposable or washable varieties, and some look like normal underwear. They are designed to keep accidents discreet and to help prevent skin damage.

Catheters

Catheters are devices fitted to the user’s bladder, directly draining urine away. They can be fitted for short- or long-term needs, changeable at regular intervals. Catheters are typically prescribed in the event of moderate to severe incontinence or in post-surgery cases.

Furniture Dressings

Absorbent pads for beds, chairs, and other furniture are recommended in case of light leakage overnight or at rest.

I also recommend these dressings in cases where users are confined to their beds, whether short- or long-term.

How to Choose the Right Continence Product

When choosing the right continence product for your needs, I recommend considering absorbency levels, your mobility and lifestyle, your skin sensitivity, fit and discretion, and cost and availability.

Here’s a little more detail on what to consider:

• Level of Absorbency Needed: Many continence aids are graded on how effective they are at absorbing urine and restricting faecal matter. If you are unsure of the level of absorbency you personally need, I recommend consulting with a medical professional.

• Mobility and Lifestyle Considerations: Look for products that can support your everyday demands. Do you move around a lot, at work or during exercise? Do you want to maintain an active social life or travel long distances? You may need specific products to support your mobility, too - will you find it difficult to change pads, for example?

• Skin Sensitivity and Comfort: If you have sensitive skin or require a specific level of comfort, consider breathable aids, those made from hypoallergenic materials, and shaped, contoured pads.

• Discretion and Fit: Finding the right fit for your body type ensures that your aids are discreet and comfortable. Too tight will cause chafing, and too loose will be ineffective.

• Cost and Availability: Costs vary depending on the aids you require, and it is always wise to compare different stockists. As I’ll discuss towards the end of this guide, there are also avenues through which you can seek financial support.

Product Usage and Management Tips for Continence Aids

To manage continence aids effectively, always apply and change them based on professional and manufacturer advice, and follow medical guidance, for example, if you need a catheter. It is also vital to maintain good hygiene practices to prevent your skin from developing irritating rashes or painful infections.

• Always follow your doctor or nurse’s advice on wearing pads, pants, or other aids effectively, and any instructions the manufacturer recommends. Doing so, and removing and disposing of aids when used, helps to keep them effective and prevents irritation and infection.

• Managing a catheter may seem difficult at first. Therefore, it is crucial to follow any advice that healthcare professionals give you on emptying, replacing, and changing your aids - to avoid pain, discomfort, and potential complications.

• Maintaining a good hygiene regime - cleaning and drying your skin carefully after using continence aids - ensures that you are protected against developing irritations such as Incontinence Associated Dermatitis, and any skin infections that may arise.

• You should also make sure to store continence aids in dry, accessible areas of your home to prevent their spoiling and breakdown.

Above all, your healthcare professional will help you learn how to stop incontinence by choosing the right aids for your body. Never feel embarrassed to ask for their help.

Where to Obtain Continence Aids

Continence aids are available to purchase through local pharmacies, medical stores, retailers such as Medshop, and services that specialise in medical supplies.

Prioritise looking for continence aids at the following stores and suppliers:

• Pharmacies (such as those connected to health centres, Chemist Warehouse, Amcal+, and TerryWhite Chemmart)

• Medical stores (such as Chempro and Chemist Outlet)

• Online specialist retailers (such as Medshop)

• Specialist medical supply companies (such as Alpha Medical, Conticare, and Ontex)

Financial Assistance and Funding for Continence Products

Many people living with incontinence may not be able to afford certain aids and support. Thankfully, avenues such as government programs and nonprofit organisation programs can help people of all ages cut the costs of regular aids.

Government Programs and Subsidies

There are several government programs and packages set up to support people who need help buying continence aids. Such programs include:

• The DVA Rehabilitation Appliances Program, or RAP

• The Continence Aids Payment Scheme, or CAPS

• State and territory-based schemes

• The National Disability Insurance Scheme, or NDIS

Each program has its own application criteria, meaning it is vital to read whether or not you are eligible for financial assistance before you apply. I recommend consulting Continence Health Australia’s financial assistance hub for more information.

Does Health Insurance Cover Continence Products?

Generally, private health insurance and Medicare do not cover the purchase of continence aids. I therefore recommend applying for the government programs detailed above as your first priority if you need financial assistance.

Nonprofit Organizations and Charities

Continence Health Australia, mentioned above, is the most prominent charity supporting people with incontinence nationwide. While the nonprofit may not be able to provide funding for disposable pads and pull-up pants outright, their financial assistance guide, linked above, is a great starting point for exploring grants and help.

“Continence Health Australia is a not-for-profit organisation and the national lead body for incontinence prevention, management, education, awareness, information and advocacy. (...) They believe everyone deserves the opportunity to live confidently, comfortably, and free from the challenges that often accompany continence issues.”

HealthDirect

Cost-Saving Tips

Beyond the support channels suggested thus far, here are a few personal recommendations I can make to help you cut the cost of continence aids:

• If you have the space, buy in bulk to save on repeat orders and delivery costs

• Test different aid brands and compare leading manufacturers

• Follow manufacturers and suppliers online for regular discounts

• Shop at online stores like Medshop that provide high-grade continence aids at a fraction of the wholesale cost

• Never overwear products - follow fitting and usage instructions carefully and avoid padding them out unnecessarily

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right incontinence underwear, catheters, pads, and other products can be daunting at first, and finding an ideal fit is sometimes a case of trial and error.

At Medshop, we’re committed to helping you find reliable, affordable, and discreet continence aids that will help boost your everyday confidence with none of the shopping headaches. Be sure to browse our full range and reach out to your doctor or nurse if you are unsure about the aids that are right for you.

 

Sources

Catheters for Medical Use. (n.d.). In Medshop Australia. Retrieved March 23, 2026, from https://www.medshop.com.au/collections/catheters

Cumper, S. (2024). How To Stop Incontinence: Solutions You Can Live With. In Medshop Australia. Medshop. https://www.medshop.com.au/blogs/news/how-to-stop-incontinence

Disposable Pads & Pull-Up Pants. (n.d.). In Medshop Australia. Retrieved March 23, 2026, from https://www.medshop.com.au/collections/disposable-pads-pull-up-pants

Financial assistance. (n.d.). In Continence Health Australia (formerly the Continence Foundation of Australia). Retrieved March 23, 2026, from https://www.continence.org.au/get-help/financial-assistance

Healthdirect Australia. (2025). Continence Health Australia. In www.healthdirect.gov.au. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/partners/continence-health-australia

Incontinence Underwear. (n.d.). In Medshop Australia. Retrieved March 23, 2026, from https://www.medshop.com.au/collections/incontinence-underwear