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<\/a> ever seek treatment for it. In this post, you will learn why incontinence pads expire and whether it is safe to use pads past their expiration date. <\/p>\n\n\n\nNot only are incontinence pads expensive, nothing says old like having to buy them instead of menstrual pads. Pads are not something you want to talk about in the first place, so when you spot the date next to the UPC, you\u2019re not going to head to the pharmacy and ask if that\u2019s an expiration date, are you? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incontinence pads do expire. Manufacturers add expiration dates for two reasons. First, most pads consist of a combination of natural and human-made ingredients. Second, there is a risk of fungus or bacteria growing on incontinence pads since the packaging is not airtight. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you don\u2019t want to talk about incontinence, you\u2019re not alone. Only 45% of women who suffer from incontinence<\/a> ever seek treatment for it. In this post, you will learn why incontinence pads expire and whether it is safe to use pads past their expiration date. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this post, we'll cover:<\/p>\n
Incontinence pads consist of a combination of textiles and polymers. The textiles will be woven fabric, cotton, or wood by-products, while the polymers will be human-made products, including various kinds of plastics and other resins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The polymers used in incontinence pads are designed for their ability to absorb liquids. Once water encounters these polymer crystals, they turn into a gel to absorb the urine. Because of their ability to absorb large quantities of fluids quickly, they are used in incontinence pads but not most menstrual pads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One gram of a superabsorbent can absorb<\/a> up to 500 grams of water, or 500 times its weight. Because of their ability to hold water, similar superabsorbent polymers<\/a> are used in horticulture. They keep water from penetrating underground cables and make the artificial snow you see in movies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Superabsorbent polymer crystals are often used in science projects, such as this one from an educational site<\/a>. Another example is this pdf from Evonik<\/a>, a significant producer of superabsorbents. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This short, fascinating video demonstrates superabsorbent polymers in action:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The expiration date on incontinence pads is not merely a marketing gimmick. There are two reasons why they expire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have you ever wondered why bottled water has an expiration date? Water doesn\u2019t go bad, or does it? Well, yes and no.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Water that has been distilled shouldn\u2019t go bad because harmful bacteria should have been killed in the distillation process. Tap water is considered safe to drink for six months. The concern is that the plastic will eventually begin to leach into the water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1987, New Jersey mandated that bottled water sold in the state be labeled with an expiration date of two years<\/a>. Because of that law, the industry decided that bottled water would have an expiration date. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the 1980s, the use of superabsorbents (SAPs) was banned in tampons. At the time, the culprit appeared to be the SAPs, which were being linked to Toxic Shock Syndrome<\/a> (TSS). However, researchers concluded that the SAPs were not the cause. Instead, it is now believed that the prolonged internal use of the SAP tampons<\/a> allowed excessive bacteria to grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Along with larger superabsorber quantities, incontinence pads contain several other features that are not present in menstrual pads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because menstrual pads don\u2019t do a good job of keeping the skin dry, they are not a good option for women with incontinence. Not only will the chance of leakage be greater, but a menstrual pad will be uncomfortable for anything except minor leaks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pads typically have three layers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bacteria and mold would be the more significant concern than the small chance that some plastic has leached into the pad. For that reason, to best answer that, you need to consider the pad’s storage conditions. If they were stored in areas with high humidity, the chances of bacteria are greater. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the pad is discolored or smells off, then do not use it. Unfortunately, bacteria might be present but not visible. Although the risk is probably minimal of using expired pads until you get new ones, continuing to use them is not recommended. Saving a few dollars is not worth risking a urinary tract infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When purchasing incontinence pads, ask yourself these questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>. The core of these pads is made from cotton, not wood fibers.<\/li>Many incontinence pads have an expiration date, which is up to five years from the manufacturer date. Whether you use one depends on how old it is, whether it is discolored, and where it has been stored. Discolored ones should not be used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Otherwise, it is up to you whether you want to use an expired pad. A menstrual pad might work in a pinch, especially if you only experience minor leakage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, they are not designed to hold enough liquid to be useful as incontinence pads and should not be long-term. Many online retailers will ship incontinence pads in packaging that does not reveal what is inside, so consider going online<\/a> if you are embarrassed about purchasing them in a store.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Incontinence Pads vs. Diapers: Which Is Right for Me?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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