Are you among the 93% of Americans that have travel plans in the next six months? Maybe it’s the longer days, maybe it’s something in the air, but spring has a way of inspiring travel plans. Whether you enjoy leisurely cruises, beach resort destinations, adventurous road trips, or flights to see family and friends, travel experiences are personal—the way you plan for maximum comfort along the way will be personal, too.
If you live with leaks from urinary incontinence, it might take a little more planning, but with thoughtful preparation, you can travel with confidence. Let’s dive into our best tips to help you stay comfortable, confident, and worry-free.
Before You Pack Your Bags
Preparation is key to managing incontinence symptoms while traveling. Consider the following steps before your trip:
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Talk to Your Doc: Discuss your travel plans and ask about adjustments to any medications or treatments you already use.
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Stay Hydrated—Within Reason: Drink fluids regularly but avoid excessive intake. Don’t go overboard chugging water on your flight. Limit caffeine and alcohol.
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Plan Restroom Breaks: Know that a restroom may not always be as accessible as at home, and plan accordingly.
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Bladder Retraining: You can train your bladder to extend the time between bathroom visits. Using a voiding diary (like ours, which you can download here,) you can build your awareness of how long you are able to go without visiting the bathroom, and start to work on extending the time. You may also incorporate pelvic floor therapy or a kegels regimen into your retraining.
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Stock Up on Supplies: Pack your go-bag with Attn: Grace essentials: Pads, Wipes, Briefs. Think about whether your usual absorbency will suffice, and grab some Barrier Cream to protect your skin in case of longer-than-usual wear times. Disposal bags for used products are also a good idea, along with extra clothes in case of an emergency.
Cruising with Confidence
Do you enjoy the relaxing environment of a cruise ship? Cruises are incredibly popular with an itinerary, price point, and theme for every taste. Here’s how to ensure smooth sailing:
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Check Your Cabin Choice: Almost all cruises feature a private, ensuite bathroom in each cabin, but check to be sure.
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Pack Plenty: Know that you may not be able to purchase your preferred bladder leak supplies on board. Calculate your needs and plan to bring the full amount you may need so you never go without.
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Stay Active and Hydrated: Enjoy activities while being mindful of fluid intake.
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Plan for Ports-of-Call: If you’re making a port stop and going off the ship for a day of adventure, make sure you have your go-bag with you, stocked with supplies for wherever the day takes you.
Road Trips: Leak-Free for the Long Haul
Road trips are a quintessentially American travel tradition. By RV, van, or motorcycle, it’s a great way to see the country. Whether you choose a route that stops in major cities, national parks, or you take the road less traveled, planning for your comfort is as important as mapping out your destinations. Here’s how to make sure you arrive in comfort:
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Plan Pit Stops: Take note of rest areas and gas stations along your route. Make a plan for more excursions where these facilities may not be available.
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Pads and Briefs: Consider higher absorbency products than you typically use to ensure coverage for longer stretches, especially when seated. You want to be sure that you choose products that both absorb and retain liquid (i.e. Attn: Grace pads & liners), so you’re not sitting on a wet product while you wait for the next rest stop.
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Travel with Essentials: Keep that trusty bag with bladder leak products, wipes, and a change of clothes within reach.
Air Travel: Navigating Airports and Flights
A full ⅔ of Americans who travel this year plan to fly to their destination. But while air travel has been normalized, there are several aspects that can make this method a little bit tricky for travelers who experience symptoms of urinary incontinence. Here are tips to stay dry while you fly:
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Opt for Aisle Seats: When you select your seats at booking, you should be able to see where the restrooms are on the plane. You may want to choose seats in the aisle, emergency row, or otherwise convenient to the bathrooms, depending on the layout of the plane.
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Pee Before Taking Your Seat: When you get to your gate, note the closest bathroom so you can make a quick trip to empty your bladder before boarding.
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Wear Backup: It can be tough to get to the restroom on the plane. During a short flight, takeoff/landing and taxiing, or in case of turbulence, there may not be an opportunity to pee at all while you’re in the air. Wearing a Pad or Brief can give you extra protection to stay covered.
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Plan for Security: Security imaging machines like the ones used at airports are designed to detect even the slightest of anomalies, so the truth is that no pad is guaranteed to go unnoticed. You can, however, reduce your risk of a pad leading to a security disruption. Here’s how:
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Inform TSA with a TSA Notification Card: With this pocket-sized card, you can discreetly tell officers you have a health condition that may affect your screening. Print it at home and hand it to an agent at the security checkpoint to notify them on your own terms.
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Request a Passenger Support Specialist: These specialists help resolve traveler-screening concerns at airports across the USA. You can request one on the spot, but it’s best to arrange for their support 72 hours in advance by calling 255.787.2227.
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Sign up for TSA Pre-Check: With TSA Pre-Check, you typically go through metal detectors instead of body imaging scans. Incontinence pads and briefs won't be flagged by metal detectors.
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Learn the Lingo: Traveling internationally? Learn how to ask for a restroom in the local language. You may also familiarize yourself with restroom customs in your destination, which may be different than here in the US.
At Attn: Grace, we firmly believe that the experiences of life should never be limited by experiencing bladder leaks. It’s what drives us to create top-performing incontinence supplies that never hold you back. So wherever you go, go prepared—and take us with you!