Can My GP Prescribe Incontinence Pads?17 December 2024 | Admin As you know if you read our blog posts regularly, our content ideas come from many places. In this instance a tiktok user reached out after purchasing some of our bamboo period & pee protection shorts and she explained that she felt embarrassed about her incontinence problems. 
We understand that addressing incontinence can feel overwhelming and many women wonder whether their GP can help by prescribing incontinence products. The short answer is: yes a GP can prescribe incontinence pads if you have a long-term condition of moderate to heavy incontinence (after assessment). However, this will depend on your local Integrated Care Board (ICB). You should speak to your GP for details on your local continence service. In this article, we’ll explore: But first, we'll discuss ways to improve your pelvic floor health, as this should always be your first step in managing incontinence. Improving Pelvic Floor HealthBefore turning to incontinence products, firstly try improving your pelvic floor strength. Many women experience leaks due to a weak pelvic floor, often caused by pregnancy, childbirth, or simply ageing. We recommend visiting a healthcare professional such as your GP to discuss pelvic floor exercises and exploring tools like Secret Whispers Kegel Weight Kits, which are physio recommended and specifically designed to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles effectively. Building pelvic floor strength can reduce or even eliminate the need for incontinence pads altogether. Can I Get Incontinence Products on the NHS?Yes, men and women can get incontinence products on the NHS free of charge, but the process can be a little complex and varies depending on your location. For people with severe incontinence, continence clinics and district nurses can supply free incontinence products and pads. However, these disposable pads tend to be big, bulky, sweaty and not the most comfortable or discreet. How To Get Free Incontinence Pads1. Visit Your GPYour GP typically doesn’t prescribe incontinence pads directly. However, they can refer you to a continence nurse or a specialist for further assessment. 2. Referral to a Continence Clinic or Specialist NurseYour GP will assess your symptoms and refer you to a local continence service, where a specialist nurse or continence advisor can evaluate your needs. This is an essential step to determine the severity of your condition and what products are suitable for you. 3. Continence AssessmentThe assessment may involve discussing your symptoms, medical history, and daily routines. You might need to keep a bladder diary to track leaks and fluid intake. Depending on the findings, the clinic may supply NHS incontinence pads or suggest other solutions. 4. Eligibility and Product OptionsIf you qualify for NHS-provided incontinence pads, these will likely be functional but may lack the comfort, fit, and eco-friendliness of reusable options. Alternatives to NHS PadsIf NHS options don’t meet your needs or you prefer more discreet, sustainable solutions, consider washable products including our reusable incontinence pads and pants. They are softer, less bulky, and far more eco-friendly, saving you money in the long term. 5 Star Rated Incontinence Products:Feel Fearless in our incredible incontinence pants for women. Browse | Specially desgined for incontinence use our pads are WAY more comfortable and absorbent than disposable! Browse | Our kits make switching to washable intoncinence pads and pants EASY! Browse |
Where to Buy Incontinence ProductsIf you need immediate access to incontinence products or want alternatives to NHS offerings, there are plenty of resources available. The NHS recommends visiting The Continence Product Advisor, which provides evidence-based advice on choosing the right products for you. At Cheeky Pants, we’ve developed a range of reusable, sustainable incontinence products to keep you dry, comfortable, and confident. Here’s a quick overview: Cheeky Fearless Organic Cotton Incontinence Pads- Price: £9.49 each (or 5 for the price of 4).
- Absorbency: Moderate leaks.
- Material: Brushed cotton with a waterproof PUL backing.
- Why Choose Them? Eco-friendly, slim, and soft against sensitive skin.
Cheeky Pants Value Incontinence Bundle- Price: £28.99 for 6 pads (3 regular and 3 night pads).
- Absorbency: Moderate leaks.
- Material: Bamboo plush.
- Why Choose Them? Affordable, reusable, and perfect for building your pad stash quickly.
Cheeky Reusable Incontinence Pants For Bladder & Bowel IncontinenceOur french cut incontinence pants have been tested for faecal incontinence and urinary incontinence and passed with flying colours as you'[ll see in the review below. However as with anything, you need to test these products for yourself to see if they work for you. Thankfully with the Cheeky 100% happiness guarantee, you can rest assured that you can test one pair and if they don't work for you, we'll give you your money back! - Price: £13.49 a pair
- Absorbency: Moderate urinary incontinence and bowel problems. The Fearless high waist and French cut incontinence pants and can be used in addition to any of the pads above as a double layer of protection.
- Why Choose Them? All-in-one solution for leaks without needing separate pads. Rated the 'Most trusted' period pants brand on Trustpilot.
'It’s been a bad week for my bowels and, usefully, I’ve been wearing these one on two of the worst cases of faecal Incontinence that I’ve experienced. The first time I was able to get to a shower quickly but everything was contained with no leakage/seepage. The second time (which has just prompted me to email) I was out and had to be in them for 15 minutes before I was able to change (15 minutes of walking around/moving and then sitting down). Everything was contained within the pants and my trousers remained clean with no smell either which is amazing. They’ve also had to contend with urinary Incontinence beforehand and still contained everything. I can’t remember if I mentioned after I first bought some from you that they’d made a difference to what I could wear as they are comfortable, reliable and unobtrusive. They’ve now given me the confidence to book a trip to the theatre in London over the Easter holiday with my daughter: something I’ve not felt I could do for ages, until finding your pants and knowing that even if I do have an ‘accident’ it will be contained and I won’t feel humiliated. Thank you!' For more details, explore our full range here: Final ThoughtsIn some cases, your GP can refer you to NHS continence services for incontinence pads. However, the process can vary, and NHS-supplied products may not suit everyone’s needs. For a more comfortable and sustainable alternative, Cheeky Pants reusable incontinence products are an excellent choice. For advice on choosing the right product, visit our incontinence range or chat with our team – we love to talk pee, poo, and periods and are always happy to help! If you found this post helpful, you might also enjoy: About the Author: Helen Rankin founded Cheeky Wipes, the original reusable wipes kit back in 2008 after disposable wipes caused her eczema to flare up. 4 kids later, internal period protection such as tampons or menstrual cups were no longer an option for her and she went on to develop their range of 'Simple Reusables' to include period pants, reusable panty liners and reusable sanitary pads. The Cheeky customer services team pride themselves on providing honest, friendly advice and just LOVE to chat pee, poo and periods all day long, helping people make the switch to reusables! The Company was recognised for their hard work in developing environmentally friendly products with the Queens Award in Enterprise for Sustainable Development in 2021. | 
