Many people experiencing incontinence find themselves asking - where can I buy incontinence products from? With such a wide range of products on the market, it can be difficult to understand where you should buy from to guarantee quality and safety. Three of the most commonly purchased incontinence products are:
- Pads and liners
- Kegel exercisers
- Kegel weights
In this post, we'll take a look at the various incontinence products, where you can buy them, and also discuss the possible dangers of Kegel exercisers and weights. We'll also see how INNOVO, a non-invasive treatment, can offer hope to those with bladder leaks.
It’s important to note that we advise you to check with your doctor before using any incontinence products.
Where Can I Buy Incontinence Pads and Liners?
Incontinence pads and liners have a hydrophobic layer that draws urine away from the surface of the skin, so the skin stays dry after a leak (1). Pads for mild to moderate incontinence can be bought from supermarkets, online, and pharmacies. For heavier leaks, pads can be found at continence clinics or via your district nurse.
Pads are a temporary solution to manage leaks whilst seeking treatment or strengthening the pelvic floor muscles. A consultant continence nurse at the Gwent Healthcare Trust says, “I would not recommend that people with urinary incontinence use pads without advice from a doctor or continence advisor. But as a temporary measure, they can really improve your quality of life (1).”
Where Can I Buy Kegel Weights?
Kegel weights are weighted cones or balls that sit inside the vagina and are used to help strengthen your pelvic floor muscles (2). Kegel weights are also known as vaginal cones or Ben Wa Balls. The weights are made of either metal or plastic and have metal ball bearings inside. They are available in a range of sizes, ranging from the size of a marble, up to 2 inches. Just like Kegel exercisers, the weights can also be used with an app that offers you biofeedback on your performance. They can be bought from online adult or fitness stores.
Kegel weights should be used for a short period of time and it’s advised to start with a lightweight and work your way up to a heavier one. There is little evidence to say whether vaginal cones are effective. However, a small study shows that weighted vaginal cones are better than no treatment for those with stress incontinence and may have a similar effect to pelvic floor muscle training (3).
Are Kegel Exercisers and Kegel Weights Safe To Use?
There are possible dangers to using Kegel exercisers and weights.
Research shows that many apps are not of high quality, and only one app was evidence-based and has been trialled clinically (4).
It’s important to check that they are made from safe materials. Weights or exercisers that are not Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved should be avoided. The cones or balls need to be cleaned thoroughly after each use to stop infection.
Exercisers and weights are not suitable for everyone and for some women can be uncomfortable or unpleasant (5). Chat to your doctor before using them, especially if you (6):
- Have had gynaecological surgery
- Are recovering from childbirth
- Are pregnant
- Have an Intrauterine Device
- Use a menstrual cup
- Have an active pelvic infection or pain
Physical therapist, Heather Jeffcoat DPT, told Glamour, “If these muscles [pelvic floor muscles] are short or overactive, doing Kegels could actually make incontinence, pain, or prolapse, worse (7).”
If you experience the following symptoms after using the Kegel exercisers or weights, get in touch with your doctor (6):
- Unusual discharge
- Odd odour
- Discomfort of pain
Where Can I Buy A Kegel Exerciser?
A Kegel exerciser is a ball or a cone-shaped object that is placed inside the vagina. They can be bought from online shops and some health stores. The purpose of them is to help you perfect pelvic floor exercises to strengthen the muscles. Some Kegel exercisers include Bluetooth technology that offers biofeedback, so you know if you’re completing the exercise correctly. For example, they can monitor the accuracy of your squeeze. They're not fool-proof: It still takes some work to figure out how to do the contraction properly. It's possible to squeeze the wrong muscles and still get positive feedback from the devices (9).
INNOVO: Non-invasive Bladder Leak Solution
INNOVO is a pair of shorts (think cycling shorts). Technology is built into the shorts to deliver effective contractions to strengthen the pelvic floor. This removes any doubt as to whether you're squeezing in the right place. There’s no probe to insert, so no worry of infection or pain. The shorts are worn 5 days a week for 30 minutes in the comfort of your own home.
A 26-week study of women with stress incontinence showed that 87% of the women who used INNOVO saw a significant improvement in their bladder leaks after 12 weeks of use (8).
Where To Buy Incontinence Products
Pads can be bought from pharmacies, supermarkets, and online shops. Kegel exercises can be found in online shops and some fitness stores. Before you buy Kegel exercisers it’s important to check that they’re Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved, as there is a risk you could buy exercisers that are not safe to use.
Using pads can help you to initially manage your leaks. However, do see your doctor to ensure you receive the right treatment for your incontinence. Kegel weights and exercisers can be used to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles. However, there is limited research to say these are safe to use and you should speak to your doctor before using them.
INNOVO offers you a simple, safe, and effective way to treat your leaks. With INNOVO, there’s no need to insert anything and it removes the doubt of whether you’re doing pelvic floor exercises properly. Research shows that INNOVO’s technology works to stop bladder leaks. Learn more about our clinical studies, how INNOVO works, and how you can benefit from it after just four weeks.
Sources
- NHS. Incontinence Products. Reviewed November 2019.
- Incontinence UK. Kegel Exercise Devices: What’s the Verdict? June 2019
- Herbison, G. P., & Dean, N. Weighted vaginal cones for urinary incontinence. July 2013.
- Ho, L. Macnab, A. et al. Rating of Pelvic Floor Muscle Training Mobile Applications of Treatment for Urinary Incontinence in Women. Published September 2020.
- NHS. Non-surgical Treatment. Reviewed November 2019.
- Medical News Today. What To Know About Ben Wa Balls. October 2019.
- Glamour. 9 Best Kegel Weights, According to Pelvic Floor Experts. January 2021.
- R. Dmochowski – Novel external electrical muscle stimulation device for the treatment of female stress urinary incontinence: randomized controlled noninferiority trial versus intravaginal electrical stimulation. ICS Conference 2018.
- Cedar Sinai - Can Digital Devices Help Exercise Your Pelvic Floor? June 2019