PureWick Catheters: The Best Alternatives

The BD PureWick™ Urine Collection System is a noninvasive, external urine-wicking device designed for use while sitting or lying down. If you’re curious about PureWick alternatives, you may be eligible for free, insurance-covered incontinence supplies like adult diapers / briefs, pull-ons, or bladder control pads / male guards through Aeroflow Urology. 

These absorbent bladder control products work anywhere, providing at-home or on-the-go protection, and offer the same level of dryness as PureWick. Check if you or your loved one qualifies for free incontinence supplies with Medicaid or insurance.

The right option depends on your level of activity, the amount of protection you require, and whether you need a caregiver. If PureWick or similar products are out of your budget, absorbent incontinence supplies can offer a simpler alternative that still protects your skin — and saves you up to $630 each month if you qualify.

Reliable access to absorbent products can also be a big help. In a survey sent to 50,000 Aeroflow Urology patients, 73% reported fewer UTIs once they had monthly insurance-covered incontinence supplies.

Take a look at the most common alternatives to the PureWick System:

These offer discreet, purse-friendly protection for leaks from coughing, laughing, or exercise. Women’s bladder control pads stick to regular underwear and come in a variety of lengths.

Absorbency Level: Light leakage.

Shaped for the male anatomy, male guards are front-focused liners that sit inside your underwear and catch leaks early. These products are discreet, easy to place, and compact for travel or work.

Absorbency Level: Light leakage.

Adult protective underwear / pull-ons look and feel like regular underwear. They typically feature an elastic waist and a quiet, cloth-like shell. With tearaway sides, you can change without fully undressing. These are a good fit if you want to handle changes on your own.

Absorbency Level: Moderate to maximum leakage.

Adult diapers / briefs are designed for heavy urine or bowel leakage. They offer strong leak defense with caregiver-friendly tab closures and come in the highest absorbencies.

Absorbency Level: Maximum to overnight leakage.

If you’re thinking of alternatives to the PureWick catheter, start with your daily routine. Ask yourself questions such as:

• Activity levels: Do you spend most of your time lying in bed, seated, or are you moving around frequently?
• Leak pattern: Do you experience light drips, moderate bursts, heavy leakage, or overnight leaks?
• Bowel incontinence: Do you sometimes have mixed bowel / bladder leakage or frequent episodes of bowel incontinence?
• Skin health: Do you experience any allergic reactions to specific materials?
• Coverage and upkeep: Do you know what bladder control supplies your insurance will pay for?

Use your answers to help you narrow down the products that work best for you. 

Need help with your options? We’re here to help you find free, insurance-covered supplies. 

Contact us at 1-844-276-5588 (available Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM EST) or email us at info@aeroflowurology.com.

The PureWick catheter is a noninvasive, external option that wicks (or draws away) urine to help individuals manage their urinary incontinence.

How it works:

• A soft, single-use wick rests against the body and connects by tubing to a small bedside unit, where gentle suction moves urine into the collection canister. Since the system is made for stationary use, it’s most helpful overnight or during longer periods of rest.

Do you care for a woman with incontinence? Learn more about the PureWick Female Urine Collection System.

Yes, PureWick offers separate systems for men and women. The women’s unit pairs with a female external catheter, and the men’s unit pairs with a male external catheter.

Expect two expenses: the base system (suction unit + canister) and ongoing refills (wicks, tubing, and replacement canisters). Without coverage through insurance, out-of-pocket costs can be up to $849 for a men’s starter set and around $600 for a women’s starter set.

If you have Medicaid or other insurance, you may qualify for free incontinence supplies, such as adult briefs / diapers, pull-ons, or pads.

The PureWick System only works for stationary use. This means that you or your loved one must be seated or lying down. The wick also needs to be replaced every 8-12 hours. 

If you want protection that works anywhere, plus offers similar dryness and comfort without machine upkeep, absorbent supplies like briefs, pull-ons, or pads may be the right fit.

What these bladder control products do well:

• Deliver discreet and travel-friendly protection.
• Make changes easy (independently or with a caregiver).
• Reduce hassle: no devices, tubing, or canisters to maintain.
• Deliver all-day, mobile protection whether you’re sitting, standing, or moving around.
• Come in light to maximum absorbency, including coverage for bowel or mixed leakage.

NOTE: Unlike an indwelling catheter, the PureWick catheter does not treat urinary retention. This means that it does not empty the bladder and only manages leaks. If retention is a concern, your healthcare provider may recommend an intermittent, indwelling (Foley), or suprapubic catheter.

Looking for an alternative to PureWick? You may be eligible to receive incontinence products such as adult diapers / briefs, bladder control pads / male guards, pull-ons, or other external catheters for free through Aeroflow Urology.

We’ll handle your paperwork, verify your insurance, and ship your free products in discreet packaging straight to your door if you qualify. Start saving up to $630 each month on bladder control supplies today!

Yes, adult diapers / briefs can offer more coverage than PureWick. PureWick is an external catheter meant for stationary use. Bladder control supplies can deliver the same dryness and comfort, whether you’re seated or moving. If you qualify through insurance, Aeroflow Urology can ship these products to you for free.

Medicaid typically doesn’t cover the cost of PureWick. Without insurance, the cost can go up to $849 for a starter set. However, you may qualify for free incontinence supplies like adult diapers / briefs or pull-ons through Aeroflow Urology. These products offer the same level of comfort and dryness as PureWick. 

Yes, many insurance plans provide coverage of catheters and even absorbent bladder control supplies. Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance may pay for catheters with medical necessity as documented by your healthcare provider. To see if you qualify for free catheters, check your coverage through Aeroflow Urology.

An external catheter collects urine without entering the urethra.

A Foley catheter is a type of indwelling catheter. It is a thin, flexible tube that stays in the bladder to drain urine continuously.

References:

Pryor, N., Wang, J., Young, J., Townsend, W., Ameling, J., Henderson, J., & Meddings, J. (2024). Clinical outcomes of female external urine wicking devices as alternatives to indwelling catheters: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Infection control and hospital epidemiology, 45(9), 1–9. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1017/ice.2024.73.

Disclaimer

Information provided on the Aeroflow Urology blog is not intended as a substitute for medical advice or care from a healthcare professional. Aeroflow recommends consulting your healthcare provider if you are experiencing medical issues relating to incontinence.