Using menstrual products for bladder leakage wouldn’t be as effective as they are designed for blood which is thicker than urine with slower discharge times and volumes, and therefore lower absorbency levels. They’ll leave your skin feeling damp and uncomfortable, and at a higher risk of irritation and infection. Menstrual products don’t protect your skin against urine and won’t neutralize the urine odor.

Although not recommended, it is possible to use an incontinence pad or liner in place of a period pad when menstruating. However, it is important to remember that incontinence and menstrual products work very differently. Period pads are specially designed to absorb menstrual flow which is slower and thicker than urine. These products absorb in line with your flow and safely work to be changed every four to eight hours. If using an incontinence product for your monthly cycle, you’ll find that blood doesn’t absorb into the incontinence pad as well as urine does, as it’s designed to absorb heavy amounts of thin liquid quickly.

Doctors advise not to use tampons until you've had your 6-8 week postnatal check, the lochia has stopped and your wounds have completely healed. Using tampons or menstrual cups before you've healed can increase your chances of getting an infection. When your doctor is comfortable for you to return to using tampons, you may need to use a different absorbency or sized tampon for the first few months. 

Period products are typically eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). Contact your employer or FSA/HSA/HRA provider with account or eligibility questions.

The CARES Act reclassified period products as “medical expenses,” making them eligible to be treated as any other spending on “medical care.” That means tampons, pads and liners purchased after December 31, 2019 eligible for purchase with FSA and HSA funds.

Incontinence supplies are typically eligible for reimbursement with a flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), or a health reimbursement arrangement (HRA). Contact your employer or FSA/HSA/HRA provider with account or eligibility questions.

Does Medicaid Cover Incontinence Products?

Medicaid is a state and federal program that provides medically necessary products (including incontinence products), healthcare or long-term care services to those who qualify.

Visit Healthcare.gov and use its Medicaid calculator to determine if you qualify.

For an incontinence product to be covered by Medicaid, it must be considered “medically necessary”, and therefore essential to the treatment or management of a particular condition. This can be determined by visiting your doctor and getting a diagnosis.