Immediately following the removal of the catheter you will have to consider options to deal with
incontinence. These are some of the issues I confronted:
Severity of incontinence
Type of product
Ease of use
Discreetness and comfort
Cost of products
Financial impacts
Location and place to purchase
We are fortunate that technology has made tremendous advances in the line of products available.
Unfortunately not all stores provide the variety or volume to meet the demand. So consider where and
what you may need early. The length of time to deal with incontinence seems to vary which is a
consideration when looking at the more expensive options.
I purchased a package a Depends under ware to bring home. I found them quite comfortable and they
could be worn discretely. They came in briefs or boxer short design. I wore briefs home from the
doctor’s office and found them very comfortable to wear.
I also purchased a package of Depend Guards. They fit very well, where easy to carry around and
changing them was quick. The price did not seem to bad considering how few I was using. Once I started
to get control and became more active I tried to find a product less bulky. I purchased a package of
Always Maxi, leak guard to try. They did not have the pocket design that I had grown use to with Depend
Guards. This made it very difficult to keep myself positioned in line with the pad.
I stumbled upon a guard manufactured by TENA. I currently use the TENA moderate guard and have
found them comfortable and designed to conform to the male anatomy.
Depend Real fit under ware comes in boxers or briefs. Also 2 sizes
Always Maxi, leak guard 10” X 3”
Depend maximum guard 10” X 3” cup like protection
TENA Moderate guard tri angular design for men 10” X 8” – 2”
Depend only makes the maximum guard and they work very well. The TENA guard fit better and was
very comfortable to wear. TENA also only makes one guard the moderate. Both products seem
adequate to wear after the removal of the catheter. My recommendation is to find a store with well
stocked selves. Wal-Mart, CVS, and Rite aid are some considerations. You may use 3 or 4 a day to start.
Sort by
Male Guards
Attends
Guards
Depend
Guards
Prevail
Guards
(19 oz.)
Surecare
Guards
Sort by
Sort by
NI
Cost/Each**
Rating
Better
Good
Best
Good
Tena Guards
Best
for Men
$0.61
$0.41
$0.36
$0.64
$0.46
Characteristics
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Thinnest, smallest
Short strip of adhesive
Not individually wrapped
Circle folded in half; no elastic
For light incontinence, least
absorbent
6 oz absorbency
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Slow absorption
Least expensive
Individually wrapped
Discreet, cup-shaped protection
For moderate incontinence
9 oz absorbency
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Most absorbent
Not individually wrapped
Rectangular shape with slight
narrowing at back
Elastic at legs
For moderate incontinence--able to
absorb quickly and trap fluid
10 oz absorbency
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Adhesive strip length of product
Less polymer
Does not trap fluid as readily
Longest guard
Not individually wrapped
Same width front to back
For moderate incontinence
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Long adhesive strip length of
product
Thickest guard
Individually wrapped
Shaped like bicycle seat
For moderate incontinence
8 oz absorbency
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