For Many Men With Incontinence, Diapers May Seem to Be the Only Answer – Or Are They?

Maria Basso Lipani, LCSW
© 2008-2012

Summary: Incontinence diapers are perhaps the most common kind of incontinence product, but they are by no means the only – particularly for men. If other incontinence aids are insufficient and adult diapers are truly needed, it’s best to try several to find the one that works best.  However, chances are that men with incontinence may be able to make use of a full range of alternative products.  There are a variety of male incontinence aids that you might not be aware of.

Dear Maria: My father suffers from urinary incontinence as the result of prostate cancer surgery. The doctor has told him that there’s nothing he can do for him and the condition is likely to be permanent. He is so embarrassed. Are incontinence diapers the only option?
Debra, Asheville, North Carolina

Dear Debra: Incontinence diapers are by no means the only option, particularly for men. There are a whole host of incontinence products that he can try including specially padded underwear as well as pants that have concealed pouches to collect the urine. He may have to try a number of products before he finds one that he’s comfortable with, but there is no reason to think that incontinence diapers are the only way to go.