Period underwear is the gospel of women in the new century. You will not fuss over the dull ‘wings’ or movable pads. You can walk around without fearing period stains. You can enjoy your worry-free overnight sleeping and daily workouts. You can deal with unpredictable menstrual easily and peacefully. You can go on with partying, dating, and life working. Even on the worst days can’t stop you to be an all-around fantastic woman.
So, what is period underwear?
Period underwear is sanitary and specifically designed for blood-catcher with absorbent material in the crotch against leaks. It is the so-called high-tech knicker.
It looks and feels like regular panties. The only difference is the special layer sewed on the crotch to prevent menstrual blood from bleeding into outer clothes. For styles, the market has been segmented into brief, hiphugger, hipster, bikini, thong, boyshort, etc. With lace or plain knitted, Every user can choose their favorite designs to help get used to the new brand product.
It offers various absorption from one to four tampons. It can be worn as a solo during medium-light and light-regular days or backup for menstrual cups or tampons during heavy-flow days while gradually transitioning to underwear for total period protection. Since many of us are currently spending more time indoors or do not generally go out, wears are encouraged to test the quantity of pairs in need in a cycle based on personal flow.
How does period underwear work?
“Fabric technology essentially focuses on absorbing menstrual blood, preventing leaks, and moving moisture away from the skin.”
It is typically made up of three layers at least.
The first layer-next to the skin wicks moisture away from the body quickly. Meanwhile, add an antibacterial agent to release odors and kill bacteria to keep everything smelling fine.
Next up is a super-absorbent layer by the water-loving treatment that allows itself hold up 2~4 regular tampon’s liquid.
Then is the waterproof layer, which keeps fluid away from leaking onto outer clothes.
The outer layer is as same as the main body’s, which lets it look like regular underwear.
Essentially, each layer is breathable. These layers and fibers are combined to sewed into undies, which Means you don’t have any feeling of wetness, just like you are sitting on your blood or sweat.
Why don’t people like other period products?
These products are widely common to use for period includes
Tampon: disposable, should take time to get used to something inserted inside of you for the very first time. Let alone there is a risk of toxic shock syndrome unless you change it regularly.
Pad: In comparison with tampon, it feels like wearing a nappy. Sometimes it does not stick around the space. The most embarrassing thing is sometimes the pad can be sawed through the cloth.
Menstrual cup: Reusable; however, it may cause an allergic reaction or vaginal irritation. It takes time to learn how to find the right fit to insert in or remove it. Sometimes it may cause a mess when changing it.
Pantyliner: With pantyliner, there is not enough absorption when you are on your menstruation. It requires frequent changes for clean and fresh feelings. Wears with sensitive skin will irritate their vagina.
Compared with the listed period products, period underwear is the most straightforward and worry-free option. Super convenient and easy to wear, no extra skills or practices required, nothing to go wrong if choosing the right type for yourself.
Tips for buying period panties
Right size. Period underwear needs to be relatively comfy to prevent any side-leg leaks. Additionally, it does many things at once, from soaking up blood, moving moisture away, and preventing leakage. Period panties with the right size can deal with heavy flow well. And more, release the anxiety and keep your mood nice.
Enough pairs to get you through the cycle as it needs 24~48 hours of drying time. So ensure you have a few pairs on hands or other sanitary alternatives. For those new to period underwear, it suggests starting from light days. There are light/medium / heavy / super absorbent types on the market. One pair of period underwear can absorb at least one tampon’s worth of liquid. It is likely just one pair needed on light days. Suppose wearing it as a backup for extra protection to avoid heavy stains during heavy-flow or busy days, one for daytime and the other for overnight protection. In short, five pairs or more for a starter.
Try to get used to them. Still, hesitate to make the switch and build up your entrust completely to underwear?
Some expert or leading brand founder suggests many starter users try on lighter flow days or wear it overnight at the end of their period. Besides, use it as backup on a heavier day before graduating to full-time wearing. Don’t worry,” Even on your most solemn day of menstruation; you’re probably bleeding far less than you think.”
If you are looking for a better solution to manage periods more comfortably, less messy, and reusable, period underwear will be a wise choice.
So what are the pros of period underwear?
· Reusable and minimally impact the environment compared to disposable alternatives.
· They can soak up a couple or more tampons full of blood.
· Super easy to wear, no need to get used to them.
· The fuller coverage of underwear is great for overnight protection to release your leakage anxiety.
· You can opt for different styles and absorbency levels based on your flow.
· They come in girls’ sizes, so those new to period can get used to it quickly and easily.
· They are breathable, odor control, super absorbent, leak-proof, stain-resistant, and wick moisture away from your skin, so you feel dry and fresh all day. So postpartum bleeding (better with heavy absorbent) and light bladder leaks can be caught by period underwear.
Is period underwear that perfect?
Seriously speaking, the most critical factor to drive the market for period underwear is convenience. How you choose to use period products will depend on your flow and preferences, including finances, lifestyle, comfort needs, and health reasons.
A pair of period underwear mostly can last 8~10 hours and up to 24 hours during light-regular days. So it is workable for night-to-five wears. However, you can’t simply change them midway unless you don’t mind carrying the bloodied panties to the workplace.
It can be hand-washed easily, but it takes about 24~48 hours to air dry. That means you need to wash them straight after wearing and prepare enough pairs or alternatives to get you through the cycle. The initial investment in a new way to manage the period is not cheap.
Still, the defects cannot obscure the virtues. With the soaring environmental concerns and the rise in the need for proper menstrual hygiene, women are opting for eco-friendly, bio-degradable, convenient, and comfortable hygiene products. The market for period panties is expected to get bigger in the coming years and will be more companies popping up in the industry.
Why is period underwear so expensive, and is it worth that cost?
Period underwear can be worn as a solo to replace other single-use period products or as a backup for extra protection with a menstrual cup or tampon.
The coverage is made of a particular fabric in an unnoticeable way to resist leaks, wick moisture, and absorb blood. It looks like regular undies but a little thicker. Wears genuinely can’t feel a thing when wearing them. It is thinner than the pad and far more comfortable. So it is more expensive than regular panties.
One pair of period panty could probably get several boxes of tampons or pads. However, compared with the single-use products, let alone it will end up the landfill to our mother earth, a period panty which looked after properly will last 2~3 years even longer. According to the investigation data shown, the average consumer saves around 750 USD over five years when switching from single-use to reusable period products. What wonderful news!
So it is worth that cost. You are not only investing in your period but also your health and helping make the world a more beautiful place.
How to look after period underwear properly?
Better wash it as soon as possible after finished wearing it. Period panties are machine washable. Before popping them into the washing machine with a mesh bag, rinse them with cold water until the water gets clear. Hang dry will be prior.
How long can it be worn?
How long a pair of period underwear can be worn depends on personal flow? It usually lasts 10~12 hours. It soaks up liquid and moisture well, and it doesn’t stain, it doesn’t feel wet and sticky, not easy to recognize when it should change as it is black and looks not much different when it was clean. For better backup, prepare one more pair and wet bag in the workplace.
