Incontinence Pads Market Size, Share, Opportunities, And Trends By Product (Reusable Pads, Disposable Pads), By Patient (Female Incontinence Pads, Male Incontinence Pads), By End-Use (Hospitals, Clinics, Long-term Care Facilities, Homecare Settings, Others), By Distribution Channel (Offline, Online), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2023 To 2028

The incontinence pads market was valued at US$10.692 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.95% during the forecast period.

Incontinence pads are disposable or reusable products designed to manage urinary or fecal incontinence in adults. They are used to absorb and contain urine or faeces, providing protection and preventing leakage, keeping the user dry and comfortable. The rising prevalence of urinary incontinence and the growing aging population is a major growth drivers of the incontinence pads market. Moreover, increasing awareness about the condition along with the rising urbanization and rising physical disabilities is further expected to boost the incontinence pads market.

Rising Prevalence of Urinary Incontinence

The rising prevalence of urinary incontinence is a significant growth driver of the incontinence pads market. For instance, the National Association for Continence estimates that approximately 25 million adult Americans suffer from either transient or chronic urine incontinence. Moreover, an estimated 38% of Australian people were affected by incontinence in 2019 as per the Continence Foundation of Australia. Proper usage and disposal of incontinence pads are crucial to maintaining hygiene and preventing skin irritation.

Aging Population

Aging is often associated with a higher prevalence of incontinence, leading to an increased need for incontinence management products like pads. Urinary incontinence is more common in women aged 50 years or above according to the Johns Hopkins Organization. The rising aging population is therefore expected to aid the incontinence pads market. For instance, above half (53%) of older Australians (those 65 and above) were women as of June 30, 2020. People aged 65 years or above included an estimated 2.2 million women and over 2.0 million men as per the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Moreover, the population aged 60 years or above in China is estimated to increase from 254 million in 2019 to 402 million in 2040 according to the WHO.

Rapid Urbanization and Changing Lifestyle

Urbanization and changing lifestyles have led to busier schedules and a shift towards more sedentary lifestyles. This contributes to an increase in incontinence cases, creating a demand for convenient and discreet incontinence management solutions thereby aiding the incontinence pads market. For instance, around two-thirds of the world's population is expected to live in urban areas by 2050 as per the World Bank estimates. Additionally, highly sedentary service industries presently account for over 43% of all jobs in the US, and office workers spend more than 89% of their time sitting down as per the American Heart Association Research.

Rising Cases of Physical Disabilities

Physical disabilities can significantly impact an individual's ability to control their bladder or bowel functions, leading to incontinence. Various physical disabilities can cause or contribute to incontinence, including spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, and mobility impairments, among others. The rising cases of physical disabilities are contemplated to bolster the incontinence pads market. For instance, 1.3 billion individuals worldwide, or 16% of the population are estimated to be significantly disabled presently by the WHO. The risk of acquiring diseases including obesity, diabetes, stroke, asthma, depression, and poor dental health is double for those with impairments.

Government Initiatives and Healthcare Reforms

Government initiatives focused on improving the quality of life for the elderly and individuals with chronic conditions have played a role in driving the incontinence pads market and related products. For instance, the goal of the Healthy People 2030 initiative is to assist US individuals in accessing timely, high-quality healthcare services, hence enhancing their health. Moreover, the US government supports initiatives through the Health Aging Program that aim to prolong the lives and maintain the health of older people.

Restraints in the Market

The incontinence pads market has experienced growth and development however some restraints or challenges can impact its expansion. For example, incontinence is still associated with stigma and social taboos in many societies. This can prevent individuals from seeking help or using incontinence pads, leading to underreporting and reduced demand for these products. For example, 70% of Australian people who have urine leakage do not seek help or treatment for their condition according to the Continence Foundation of Australia. Additionally, other incontinence management methods, such as reusable cloth pads, adult diapers, or other absorbent products, can pose competition to disposable incontinence pads.

North America is Expected to Grow Considerably

North America is expected to hold a significant share of the incontinence pads market during the forecast period. The factors attributed to such a share are the increasing prevalence of incontinence, government awareness programs, the aging population, and the presence of market leaders such as Kimberly-Clark and Attends Healthcare Products. For instance, between 25 and 30 percent of US men and women experience urine incontinence. OAB, or overactive bladder, is a condition affecting 33 million people and is characterized by symptoms of urgency, frequency, and urge incontinence according to the American Urological Association.

Major Market Players

• Desco Medical is a well-known medical equipment manufacturing company based in India. They specialize in producing a wide range of medical and healthcare products, including surgical instruments, hospital furniture, medical disposables, and other medical equipment. It offers HGSP 141 incontinence pads.
• Kimberly-Clark is a multinational company that operates in the consumer goods industry, with a focus on personal care and hygiene products. Kimberly-Clark offers incontinence care products for adults, including absorbent pads and protective underwear under the brand Depend.
• Abena UK is a subsidiary of Abena Group, a leading international healthcare company specializing in personal hygiene and healthcare solutions. The company's solutions are appropriate for all types and degrees of continence disorders. Some of the products offered are Abri-san-shaped incontinence pads, Abri-Flex, and Fixation underwear.

Key Market Developments

• In April 2023, Kimberly Clark’s Poise launched Poise 7 drop pads for bladder leaks. It is designed for women to give up to 100% clean, dry, and fresh protection. These are 10 times drier than the leading period pad as per the claims by Poise.
• In September 2022, new adult disposable incontinence pants for both sexes were introduced by Attindas Hygiene Partners in North America. It provides 100% leak-free protection and conforms to a range of body shapes.
• In April 2021, Ontex Group NV launched A Lovely Day which is its first digital subscription brand in incontinence. To combat the stigma associated with incontinence, it was introduced in France as a challenger brand.  

Segmentation:

• By Product
  • Reusable Pads
  • Disposable Pads
• By Patient
  • Female Incontinence Pads
  • Male Incontinence Pads
• By End-Use
  • Hospitals
  • Clinics
  • Long-term Care Facilities
  • Homecare Settings
  • Others
• By Distribution Channel
  • Offline
  • Online
• By Geography
  • North America
    • United States
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • United Kingdom
    • Germany
    • France
    • Spain
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • UAE
    • Israel
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • Japan
    • China
    • India
    • South Korea
    • Indonesia
    • Thailand
    • Others