Learn more about incontinence
These articles about leaks, bedwetting and continence care are here for you regardless if you are a man, woman, carer, relative, or professional.
When you’re chasing deadlines or chatting at the water cooler, the last thing you need to be worrying about is at work . Here at TENA, we’ve got some advice on how to manage your incontinence in your office, from bladder training to incontinence underwear. Read on to find out our 5 top tips for coping with incontinence at work, so that next time you’ve got the urge to go during a meeting or work event, you’ve got a plan.
1. Find the right incontinence product
If your job requires you to be on the go constantly, or you’re in the market for a solution that looks and feels like underwear, then we’d recommend pants. TENA’s range of incontinence pants are super soft, perfect for wearing during the day in the office.
Designed to be worn like regular, stretchy underwear, we have both men’s underwear and women’s incontinence pants options available in a wide range of sizes and absorbencies.
If comfort is key in the office, then finding the right product is essential. With advanced moisture-reducing technologies, our pants ensure dryness, protection from leakage and odour control. These pants are perfect whether you wear a suit or activewear to work as they have a comfortable body-close fit, allowing for freedom of movement.
2. Introduce timed voids to combat incontinence at work
Even people without often wait till their bladders feel full before heading to the toilet. However, if you struggle with incontinence in the workplace , then it might be worth trying “timed voids ”. These are when you schedule your bathroom breaks based on the clock, rather than your urge to go (as this can sometimes be unpredictable). Start at home with 15 minute intervals between bathroom visits and then gradually up your time in between based on how you feel before making the trip back to the office. You can read more about this in our bladder training guide offering further information on bladder leakage solutions .
If you really want to get to the bottom of your incontinence at work , then keep a bladder diary. This involves simply jotting down how often you have gone to the toilet, how much you have urinated and what fluids/foods you have been consuming. Talk to your doctor about your bladder diary, so you can identify any concerns.
3. Stay active to help manage incontinence in the workplace
Keeping fit if you are sat at a desk all day is easier said than done, however you can do pelvic floor exercises whilst sat down. If you are dealing with , it’s worth noting that weight can have a huge impact on your bladder control issues, with obesity often directly linked to incontinence. This is because excess weight puts pressure on your abdomen, which indirectly adds pressure to your bladder.
To help you cope with incontinence at work , our advice is to choose a form of exercise that doesn’t exacerbate the problem. For example, if running causes you to leak, then try something lower impact like Pilates or yoga. Find a moment before or after your working day to do some exercise for both your overall health and as a potential incontinence solution .
4. Dress for success: how to dress for incontinence at work
You shouldn’t feel self-conscious about dressing for in the workplace , it’s all about finding the right products for you. If you feel like your liner isn’t working for you, then try a pad or a pant; it’s all about trial and error. The most important thing is to not suffer in silence, so speak to an occupational health therapist or GP if you have any worries at all.
5. Confide in a colleague to cope with incontinence in the workplace
It can be hard to know how to manage at work in regards to relationships with your colleagues. If you feel like your incontinence at work is becoming a noticeable problem, then it might be worth having a conversation with your boss or a colleague you trust. Let them know that you are actively managing your condition and explain what that might mean about your office behaviour. If you are a bit nervous to talk to a colleague about it, then read our guide on talking about incontinence and know that you are not alone.
Whether you are a teacher or a doctor, working in an office or a building site, we hope you’ve found our tips on managing incontinence in the workplace useful. If you like the sound of our incontinence pants, then take a look at our article on how incontinence pants work and the different types that are available.
https://www.nafc.org/bhealth-blog/showing-incontinence-whos-boss-in-the-workplace
https://www.webmd.com/urinary-incontinence-oab/ss/slideshow-workplace-incontinence