Sustainable Continence Care: Evaluating Washable Absorbent Underwear for Light Bladder Weakness

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common condition among women, often leading to significant impacts on quality of life and social well‐being. Management of UI frequently involves the use of absorbent products to contain urine leakage, support hygiene and enable daily activities. Selecting appropriate continence products is essential for comfort, dignity and maintaining social participation. This study aimed to evaluate user satisfaction and performance characteristics of two types of washable absorbent underwear designed for women with very light to light bladder weakness—one incorporating an integrated absorbent core (Product A), and the other utilising a modular system with disposable, interchangeable absorbent pads (Product B). A blind‐monadic in‐home use test with 204 women indicated generally positive evaluations for both products. Product A received slightly higher ratings for overall satisfaction (4.0 vs. 3.8), wearability and perceived environmental impact. Both products scored highly in leakage protection, dryness, comfort and discretion. Product B's modular design was noted for extra protection and ease of use, though it was slightly less preferred for wearability. Visual attributes such as femininity and attractiveness were rated positively for both products. Washable absorbent underwear may offer a practical and sustainable conscious option for managing light UI. These products demonstrated functional benefits and were well accepted by participants. The findings of this study support the integration of reusable solutions into broader incontinence management strategies.