5 reasons Australian urologists stopped recommending disposable pads

For many years, men dealing with urinary incontinence in Australia were handed a leaflet and pointed toward the nearest pharmacy shelf. Yet a quiet shift is happening in consulting rooms from Sydney to Perth — and it's being driven by the clinical community itself. Many Australian urologists and continence nurses are now openly questioning whether disposable incontinence pads have ever truly been the right long-term solution for Australian men managing bladder leakage, and five compelling reasons explain why the conversation has changed so dramatically.

1. Prolonged moisture exposure damages skin more than most men realise

One concern that comes up consistently among continence health professionals is the effect of sustained moisture on perineal and groin skin. Disposable pads, by design, trap warmth against the skin while drawing fluid into an absorbent core. Even the most advanced gel-core products can't eliminate the microclimate of heat and humidity they create. Over days, weeks and months of daily use, this environment increases the risk of incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD), a painful and often misdiagnosed condition that ranges from mild redness to open skin breakdown.

The Continence Foundation of Australia notes that skin integrity is a genuine clinical concern for people managing long-term incontinence, and that the type of containment product used plays a meaningful role in skin outcomes. For men in particular — who may be managing post-prostatectomy incontinence or age-related bladder changes — the perineal skin is already under stress. Adding a sweat-trapping disposable pad for twelve or more hours a day can compound that stress considerably.

Washable incontinence underwear, by contrast, is typically constructed from breathable fabric layers that allow air circulation around the skin. It won't eliminate moisture entirely, but it does reduce the sealed, occlusive effect of a plastic-backed disposable. For men who've struggled with chafing, rashes or soreness, switching to a breathable alternative often brings noticeable relief within the first few weeks.

2. The cumulative cost is far higher than men are told at the point of sale

When a GP or urologist first raises incontinence management with a male patient, the conversation rarely includes a frank cost projection. A moderate level of bladder leakage — say, light-to-moderate stress or urge incontinence — can easily require three to five disposable pads per day. At retail prices common across Australian pharmacies and supermarkets, that adds up to a significant ongoing household expense across months and years.

Australia does offer some financial relief through the Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS), administered by Services Australia, which provides an annual payment to eligible Australians to help offset the cost of continence aids. NDIS participants may also have continence consumables funded within their plans. However, CAPS payments have a fixed annual cap, and disposable products consumed at a typical daily rate can exhaust that allowance well before the year is out, leaving men to fund the remainder out of pocket.

Washable incontinence underwear carries a higher upfront cost but is reusable for hundreds of wash cycles. Men who invest in several pairs — rotating them through a standard laundry cycle — often find their total annual spend drops considerably compared to ongoing disposable purchases. Products such as Orykas's range of washable options for men are designed with exactly this kind of long-term economy in mind.

• CAPS (Continence Aids Payment Scheme) provides eligible Australians with an annual government contribution toward continence aids
• NDIS participants may access continence-related funding within their support budgets
• Disposable usage at three to five pads per day can exceed CAPS allocations within months
• Washable products have a high upfront cost but a lifespan of hundreds of wash cycles
• Bulk-billing GPs can provide CAPS referrals and connect men with a continence nurse for a personalised product assessment

3. Disposable pads were largely designed around female anatomy

Here's something many Australian men have quietly suspected for years but rarely heard a clinician confirm: most disposable incontinence pads on the market were developed with female anatomy as the default. The absorbent zone placement, the wing-and-adhesive attachment system, and the overall profile of standard pads simply don't correspond to how male bodies are shaped. The result is often poor coverage, leakage from the edges, and an awkward, bulky fit inside underwear that men describe as uncomfortable and conspicuous.

Urologists and continence nurses who work primarily with male patients — particularly those managing incontinence following prostate surgery or treatment for prostate cancer — have long flagged this mismatch. Male-specific disposable shields exist, but they represent a smaller product range and aren't consistently stocked in regional Australia, creating genuine access problems for men in rural and remote communities outside of major centres like Brisbane, Adelaide or Melbourne.

Washable incontinence underwear designed specifically for men addresses this anatomy gap directly. Options such as these ultra-absorbent incontinence briefs for men and the washable boxer brief style integrate the absorbent panel into the garment in a position and shape that corresponds to male anatomy — eliminating the fit problems that disposable pads consistently create.

4. The environmental footprint is increasingly part of the clinical conversation

Australia generates a significant volume of single-use plastic waste, and disposable incontinence products are a notable but rarely discussed contributor. Each disposable pad contains a combination of superabsorbent polymer gel, non-woven fabric and plastic backing — none of which is recyclable through standard kerbside collection. Men using three to five pads per day are contributing thousands of single-use items to landfill annually, often without realising the cumulative scale.

The environmental dimension has begun entering clinical conversations not because urologists have become environmental advocates, but because patients are raising it themselves. Australians of all ages are increasingly conscious of their waste footprint, and men managing incontinence are no exception. When a patient asks whether there's a lower-waste option that performs comparably to their current disposable routine, clinicians now have a better evidence-informed answer than they did a decade ago.

What this shift looks like in practice

Rather than prescribing or recommending a specific brand, many continence nurses and urologists are now encouraging men to trial washable absorbent underwear alongside their existing routine — using disposables as a backup during the adjustment period while they assess how washable products perform for their particular level of leakage. This graduated approach respects patient autonomy while allowing men to make an informed comparison. The RACGP's guidelines for managing urinary incontinence in primary care support a patient-centred, multi-modal approach that includes lifestyle modifications, pelvic floor exercises and appropriate product selection.

5. Modern washable incontinence underwear has closed the performance gap

Perhaps the most important reason clinicians are shifting their recommendations is the simplest: washable incontinence underwear has genuinely improved. A generation ago, the reusable options available to Australian men were limited, uncomfortable and often inadequate for anything beyond very light leakage. Today's products use multi-layer construction with moisture-wicking inner fabrics, highly absorbent mid-layers and leak-resistant outer materials — a technical profile that now competes credibly with mid-range disposable pads for light-to-moderate incontinence.

For men managing post-prostatectomy incontinence, which is frequently heavier in the early months of recovery and tends to improve over time, washable products have become a viable option once the initial high-volume phase has stabilised. Many men find that wearing a well-fitted washable brief for day-to-day activities — and keeping a smaller number of disposable pads on hand for travel, sport or situations where laundry access is limited — gives them the best of both approaches.

Men who want guidance on navigating their product options can contact the National Continence Helpline on 1800 33 00 66, a free service funded by the Australian Government and staffed by continence nurses who can provide personalised, confidential advice across all states and territories, including regional Australia.

• Multi-layer absorbent construction means washable options now handle light-to-moderate leakage effectively
• Moisture-wicking inner fabrics keep skin drier than many gel-core disposables during extended wear
• A small rotation of five to seven pairs is sufficient for most men's weekly laundry cycles
• Washable underwear can be paired with disposable pads for high-activity days or travel — a hybrid approach many men find practical
• Products are available in familiar underwear silhouettes — briefs and boxer briefs — removing the stigma of wearing a visibly medical product

Frequently asked questions

Are washable incontinence products covered by CAPS or Medicare Australia?

The Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS), administered by Services Australia, provides an annual payment to help eligible Australians offset the cost of continence aids — including washable absorbent underwear in some cases. Medicare Australia doesn't directly subsidise continence products, but a referral from a bulk-billing GP can connect men with a continence nurse assessment, which in turn supports CAPS eligibility. NDIS participants should speak with their planner or support coordinator about including continence consumables in their plan. Eligibility criteria for CAPS require a permanent and severe continence condition, so it's worth discussing your specific situation with your GP or continence nurse before applying.

How many washable pairs do I need to replace disposable incontinence pads?

Most men find that a rotation of five to seven pairs covers a typical weekly laundry cycle comfortably. If you currently use three to five disposable pads per day, you can plan on changing your washable underwear at a similar frequency — once or twice daily depending on your leakage volume. During the first few weeks of transition, many clinicians recommend keeping a small supply of disposable pads as a backup while you establish confidence in how the washable product performs for your body and your level of leakage.

Can washable incontinence underwear handle heavier leakage after prostate surgery?

Post-prostatectomy incontinence can be heavy in the first weeks following surgery, and washable products may not be sufficient as a standalone solution during that initial period. However, as many men experience significant improvement in bladder control over the months following surgery — particularly with guided pelvic floor rehabilitation — washable underwear often becomes increasingly appropriate over time. The Continence Foundation of Australia recommends that men who have undergone prostate surgery seek early guidance from a pelvic floor physiotherapist and a continence nurse, who can recommend the most suitable products for each stage of recovery.

Where can I get advice about which continence product is right for me?

Your first point of contact should be your GP, who can refer you to a continence nurse or a urologist if needed, and can initiate a CAPS application if you're eligible. Many bulk-billing GPs in Australia are familiar with incontinence management and can organise this referral under a standard Medicare consultation. The National Continence Helpline at 1800 33 00 66 is also a free, confidential resource staffed by qualified continence nurses who can advise on product selection, pelvic floor exercises, and local support services — without you needing a referral first. The Helpline is available to men across Australia, including those in rural and remote areas who may not have easy access to specialist care in person.

This article is informational and does not replace advice from your GP, a qualified continence nurse or a specialist.