Everybody Needs Something: Why There's No Shame in the Tools That Help

Take a look around and almost immediately you’ll notice something. Whether it’s coffee to get the morning started, glasses to see the words in this article, a wheelchair to get from one room to the next, or noise-cancelling headphones to make a loud world a little less overwhelming…

Everybody needs something. 

Some of these things are so commonplace that no one even thinks twice about them. But sometimes the supports we need carry a different weight. Adult diapers and other incontinence products serve the same purpose: to help people get through the day, but because we surround them with stigma and silence, they get treated like an embarrassing secret. 

The thing is, using a tool or needing support isn’t unusual, and it doesn’t make someone less capable. It’s all part of being human. So why do we decide that some kinds of support are completely ordinary, while others are something to hide? 

Why Are Some Forms of Support Easier to Talk About Than Others?

Just for a second, think about the last time you heard someone casually talk about buying glasses. Now compare that to how people talk about buying adult diapers.  

Both are products that address a physical need and are relied on by millions of people every single day to fully participate in their lives. But only one of them is something people often purchase in secret, hide in a bathroom cabinet, and discuss in whispers if they are even discussed at all. 

The difference isn’t necessarily in what the products do; it’s in the stigma attached to them. Somewhere along the way, managing incontinence got tangled up with ideas about capability and dignity that just don’t hold up to scrutiny. 

That silence doesn’t just make people feel bad. It can create an information gap that helps keep potential solutions out of reach. If no one is talking about the products they use, or the tools that can help, how is anyone supposed to know what options are available? 

Finding the Right Solution Starts with Knowing the Options

When someone starts experiencing leaks, figuring out what to look for can feel completely overwhelming. Many people don’t realize that incontinence is not one-size-fits-all, and that leaks come in different forms with different solutions.

Some are dealing with occasional light bladder leaks (LBL), while others are managing full voids throughout the day, or Heavy Bladder Leaks (HBL). The products and treatments can vary significantly depending on the type and severity of leaks being experienced. Beyond that, there are different styles, fits, and features to consider when choosing the right product. 

But without more information, people will often reach for what is familiar. Some women even turn to widely available period products for bladder leaks because they are easy to find and don’t carry the same stigma at checkout. But period products are designed to manage menstrual flow, not urine. Without open conversations about incontinence, they might not realize there are options specifically designed for the needs they are trying to manage, and using the wrong tool for this job can mean more leaks and more discomfort¹. 

The point here isn’t to criticize anyone for using whatever’s available to them. It’s that people can’t make informed choices about products or treatment options when shame keeps the right information out of reach. When the right solutions are hidden, that affects everyone who could benefit when we actually have a more open conversation.

What Works Is Worth Sharing

Open conversations don't just help that one person. When people are willing to share what works, and all of the things they wish they knew sooner, other people can learn from that experience. Someone who has been quietly struggling on their own may discover a product or new treatment option they didn't know existed, which allows real, practical experience to replace myths and outdated assumptions.

That kind of openness is part of what makes communities like the NorthShore Hero Club™ so valuable. It gives people a place to share their experiences and connect with others who understand what they're going through. Sometimes just hearing from someone who's been there can make it easier to realize there are options worth exploring.

Now that doesn't mean that every piece of advice shared online is automatically good advice, but honest and open discussions give people more opportunities to ask questions, compare experiences, and learn what options are out there so that they can feel more prepared when talking with their healthcare providers.

And those conversations can matter to the people making the products too. It's the customers who often know best when a product falls short in real life. They know which features make a real difference in quality of life, and which ones are just fluff. And that feedback matters. If everyone quietly accepts mediocre products because no one wants to talk about the problem, then it can be hard to recognize that we may need to rethink the solution. Openly communicating these needs can help create a clearer picture of what's missing.

Nobody should have to hide a need so well that no one even realizes there's something to solve.

Support Shouldn’t Come with Shame

Finding something that makes life work better isn’t something we should have to feel embarrassed about. 

No one thinks twice about someone trying a new pair of glasses because they don’t see as well as they once did, or testing out a new planning app and changing a routine that isn’t working anymore. People try different tools and strategies all the time; it’s simply part of how we navigate the world in a way that makes room for the things that matter. 

Incontinence products shouldn’t be any different. An adult diaper is a tool, just like a hearing aid, mobility aid, or medication organizer. A bladder control pad is a tool. A booster pad is a tool. Each one serves a practical purpose in helping someone manage their day, but none of those things tell the whole story of who someone is. 

The goal shouldn’t be to make every form of support invisible; it’s to make the need for support feel completely ordinary, because it is. 

Whatever helps someone participate in the life they want shouldn’t be something they feel the need to justify or hide, and it should never be a source of shame. 

Everybody Needs Something

No one gets through life without relying on something or someone. 

The things people need may look totally different from one person to the next. There is nothing unusual about needing support along the way. It’s simply part of being human, and everyone deserves access to the things that actually help them live the life they want. 

That means having the freedom to talk about what works, ask questions without embarrassment, and discover options that may make everyday life easier. It means not letting stigma decide what information someone gets to have. 

Everybody Needs Something

There is absolutely no shame in finding the things that help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are adult diapers used for?
Adult Diapers are designed to help manage bladder and bowel leaks and provide protection during everyday activities. Different products are made for different needs, including different absorbency levels, fits, styles, and features.

Can you use period pads for bladder leaks?
Period pads are designed to absorb menstrual flow, not urine, so they may not provide the same type of protection against leaks or skin irritation as a product specifically designed for bladder leaks.¹ There are many different incontinence products made for different levels of bladder leakage and daily needs, including DynaDry® Supreme Liners, which are worn inside regular underwear.

How do I know which incontinence product is right for me?
Start by considering the type of leaks you're managing. Then look at factors such as absorbency, fit, style, and sizing. If you're unsure where to start, the NorthShore® Care Experts are available to help people compare products, answer questions, and offer practical guidance without judgment. The NorthShore Sample Program also lets you try up to 6 free samples before committing to a full order.

What's the difference between LBL and HBL?
LBL stands for light bladder leaks and generally refers to occasional, smaller amounts of urine loss. HBL stands for Heavy Bladder Leaks and refers to larger amounts of urine loss, including full voids. Because leaks can vary, different products are designed to provide different levels of protection.

Why are people embarrassed to talk about incontinence?
Incontinence has long been surrounded by stigma, which can make people feel uncomfortable talking about leaks or the products they use. That silence can also make it harder for people to learn about the range of products and treatment options available to them. Communities like the NorthShore Hero Club exist to make those conversations easier.

1.  National Association for Continence. Why You Shouldn't Use a Maxi Pad for Incontinence.