Incontinence Product User Panel pt. 2 with Alan Cottenden

For individuals experiencing incontinence, situations and the products used to address them differ from person to person. Anatomy, medical conditions, preferences, and life responsibilities all contribute to how one individual’s needs will vary from the other. In this episode of ‘Attached to Hygiene’, host Jack Hughes is again joined by Alan Cottenden, Emeritus Professor of Incontinence Technology at University College London. Jack and Alan chat with three North American consumers—Paul, Beth, and Twila—about their experiences with incontinence. How do the three manage day-to-day circumstances with the condition? What products do they use, and how? And what changes and innovations do they hope to see?

Managing incontinence with a variety of absorbent hygiene products

Incontinence can impact those with the condition in a variety of ways, from small leaks to a sudden and complete emptying of the bladder or bowels. Combine that with daily agendas that do—or don’t—allow easy access to a bathroom, and incontinent consumers may use several different products with regularity. Even so, finding adequate protection can be difficult. For example, those who experience high flow may not be able to find products that can absorb the volume quickly enough to avoid leakage.
Whilst all three of the panellists shared how being open and honest about their condition makes managing it easier, discretion remains an issue for each of them. Clothing may be selected based on the absorbent products they wear. They also worry about the sound of the product, such as crinkling ,becoming noticeable. Once the product is wet, several things can weigh on the user: Odour, the feeling of wetness, and even the fear of an additional release causing leakage. Another concern is changing articles in public restrooms, especially those that are not kept clean. Pull-on products in particular may offer excellent protection, but they can be impossible to change without removing pants or shoes. Sufferers would welcome anything that helps make the condition more manageable and reduces the stress that accompanies it.

 

Go to Episode

 

Outline of the Episode

• [03:51] Introduction to the three panellists and an overview of their types of incontinence
• [13:33] Deciding when and how to be discreet or disclose their condition
• [19:19] Each day’s activities determine the products that are needed
• [22:22] The challenges of travelling with incontinence, especially by air
• [26:04] The pros and cons of using menstrual products for incontinence
• [30:04] Days are not always predictable … wearing extra protection just in case
• [36:29] Discretion relies on controlling how you look, plus odour and sound
• [43:16] The panellists’ wish list for absorbent hygiene product innovations
• [57:44] Differences in managing incontinence now versus several years ago
• [01:04:17] Benefits to being open about your condition and experiences

Resources

You can find Alan on LinkedIn. You may wish to leave him a message through our email at  [email protected].

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Host: Jack Hughes

Music by Jonathan Boyle

Produced and edited by: Jack Hughes with help from Paul Andrews, Michele Tonkovitz, Emory Churness, Nikki Ackerman, and Green Onion Creative.