Incontinence pads can be a lifesaver for those with difficulty controlling their bladderbecause of their ability to help contain embarrassing leaks. However, can incontinence padscause a UTI?
Incontinence pads cannot cause a UTI, but they can increase your risk of a UTI, whichis why proper hygiene and management of your pads are crucial for reducing thisrisk.
Key Takeaways:
Incontinence pads can’t cause a UTI.
Incontinence pads can increase your risk of a UTI.
Changing incontinence pads regularly, washing your hands before and after changingthem, and cleaning/drying your genitals during each change can help reduce the risk ofa UTI.
How Can Using Incontinence Pads Increase Your Risk for a UTI?
There are a couple of ways in which incontinence pads increase the risk of UTIs. First and foremost, incontinence pads (specifically those that are used) create an environment that bacteria love: hot and humid. When bacteria are in a favorable environment, they can begin growing and reproducing, and because your urethra is also in contact with the incontinence pad, this increases the risk of bacteria traveling into the urethra and up the urinary tract.
Also, since incontinence pads sit right at the genitals, which is where the urethra is located, if they harbor bacteria, whether from the vagina (in women), from changing the pad with dirty hands, or from being contaminated by stool, the bacteria is more likely to enter the urethra.
How Can Using Incontinence Pads Increase Your Risk for a UTI?
There are a couple of ways in which incontinence pads increase the risk of UTIs. First and foremost, incontinence pads (specifically those that are used) create an environment that bacteria love: hot and humid. When bacteria are in a favorable environment, they can begin growing and reproducing, and because your urethra is also in contact with the incontinence pad, this increases the risk of bacteria traveling into the urethra and up the urinary tract.
Also, since incontinence pads sit right at the genitals, which is where the urethra is located, if they harbor bacteria, whether from the vagina (in women), from changing the pad with dirty hands, or from being contaminated by stool, the bacteria is more likely to enter the urethra.