If you have a period, you've likely heard of period underwear, but may still be hesitant about them, or not really know what they're all about. Back when I was younger (wow, that makes me feel so old!), I had the option of pads or tampons. I used both, and they were fine. Had no idea about the toxins in conventional period products, and I didn't have any reason to care about it at the time either. We know better and we do better, right? I've been getting my period every month since I was 10 years old and didn't even know what a period was, so you can imagine how much money I spent on those products and how much waste I was accumulating (and simultaneously, how many toxins I was unknowingly shoving up in and around the most sensitive parts of my body). Fast forward to college, and I ended up trying a cup. I initially got it for the sustainability aspect of it, loved it, didn't use anything else, and then a few years later realized that it was also helping me on my toxin free journey. Win win!
I've only recently been using and loving period underwear for the last 2.5 years and HOLY COW WHERE HAVE THESE BEEN MY ENTIRE LIFE?! I love them so much that I post pics and videos on my social media in my period undies. Crazy, I know. I just can't stop talking about them, and wish I knew about them a lot sooner. So let's dive into some top questions/concerns about them, and maybe by the end I'll have convinced you that you're missing out. Because, newslflash, you are ;) Don't knock 'em til you try 'em!
So, like, you're just sitting around in your own blood all day feeling like you're in a wet diaper? Eww..
Yes and no. I remember with pads, they felt super bulky and like I was wearing a diaper. It felt like they never really absorbed much and I really was sitting in my own wetness. I even remember being in middle school and having dried crusty blood on the back of my butt since the pad didn't fully absorb everything. Period undies are different. Yes, they absorb the blood, and they absorb it quickly! There have only been very few times where I can feel the uncomfortable wetness. VERY FEW. The layers of the underwear are designed to be super absorbant, and some pairs hold up to 9 tampons worth of liquid (blood, pee, etc). And for how much they can absorb, they're also really thin, so I don't feel like I'm wearing a diaper, and I don't walk around with the crinkly pad sound. Wow this is bringing back very faint memories of middle school periods!
Okay, that's fine. What about the smell? Will other people be able to smell me? Do you still feel fresh with them?
I want to take part of The Period Company's answers to these questions and share it, because they put it into better words than I can. The Period Company is my go-to period undie brand and they're truly radicalizing what it means to get your period. They literally have a saying inside every single pair of their undies that says "Thank you for having your period." No other box of tampons, pads, or period product company actually gives a shit about your period like that.
Re: smell- "Fresh period blood doesn't have a scent that carries. You might smell it on yourself, but think about it- have you ever smelt someone else's blood? Also, we're human. Smells are OK."
Re: fresh-"Before we answer that, let's talk about what 'fresh' actually means. Are we talking about the astringent 'fresh' that decades of advertising has systematically told people they have to be? Or are we talking about feeling clean and not leaking? We're that kind of fresh."
Yes to all of that!! So, yes, there might be a slight smell to them, but I only notice it when I go to the bathroom. It's never been overpowering and I've never had anyone tell me I smell. If you're that worried about it, buy a couple pairs and change into the new one partway through the day. It'll be okay. I promise.
Have you ever leaked in them? I have a heavy flow! I don't personally have a heavy flow, but when I first started using them, I was getting used to how long I could wear them before I needed to change them. And occassionally I would bleed through on the outside of them. You know how it is when you're first getting used to pads/tampons and you find your personal flow threshold of when you need to change them. You'll experiment with that too with period undies. There are different absorbancies (light, medium, heavy), so get a few to try out and see which ones work best for your personal flow. Lemme touch on this too, since it's related to leaking... When we have a tampon, cup, disc, or any internal protection stuffed up inside us, we're not cognizant of what it feels like for period blood to flow out of us. So when switching to undies, that flowing sensation might be new and unfamiliar. It might feel like leaking. It's not though. It's what your body is designed to do. Flow. Go with it. Get it? Wow, I impressed myself with that one right there!
How many pairs do you need a day?
That will depend on your flow threshold again. Personally I can get away with just one pair a day. I usually wear the thongs on spotting days before my full flow and when it's not quite done yet (you know what I'm talking about). Yes, period thongs seem weird when you think about them, but they're nice for those light days too! If you have a heavier flow, maybe you'll want to wear 2 pairs in a day. I also like to wear a different pair overnight. The Period Company has a Sleeper style for those overnight times when you worry about leaking. I've never personally used them since I don't need them. But I've heard they're great!
And they're toxin free/safe for me?
Yup! At least the ones I get are safe. Some very popular period underwear brands (Thinx and Knix) were recently in the news and also had lawsuits against them for having toxic chemicals in their underwear. The skin down there is very permeable, and we absorb a lot through our skin. We don't want to be sitting in fibers that have endocrine disrupting chemicals in them, which can also contribute to heavy, painful periods. The Period Company does not have toxins in them.
Okay but what about washing them? Isn't that a pain?
Yes and no. Sometimes if I get lazy, it's annoying to wash all of them at once. But that's what usually happens when I'm on my period, and it's fine. You can throw them right in with your regular laundry and even dry them in the dryer! I usually hand wash them in the shower and then let them sit out overnight/the next day to dry. I feel like I can get them cleaner by hand washing them. Remember to not use any harsh soaps or soaps with synthetic fragrance!! I love using a bar of castille soap. Easy peasy. Rinse, soap, later, rinse, repeat (if necessary), wring out, air dry.
It all makes sense! Why else should I try them?
I'm not the only one who wants to lounge around in sweats and be comfy during my period. Tampons can be annoying and a pain (sometimes literally). Pads can bunch up and be crinkly, or move around too much. Occassionally I feel a bit more cramping with my cup. Period undies are designed to be worn like your regular underwear. They just have the super absorbent layers to catch your flow. They are extremely comfortable. They move with you. And they make my period feel SO much easier. Isn't that what we all want? Easy, happy, carefree periods. I feel like a pad commercial now, geez. Oh! Another reason to get some, and more specifically from The Period Company? They're size-inclusive and cost way less than other brands. Wins all around in my book. One more bonus fun fact: I've recommended these to lots of postpartum moms and every one of them has raved about them vs the diapers!! I can also imagine they would be perfect for a teen getting her first period. I wish I had them when I was younger.
I'm sold. Where do I get them?
Click here for my affiliate link. I appreciate you using it :) :) If you order a wrong size, customer service is great about exchanges! You can also get some at Walmart too. Pretty soon you'll be like me and want to buy all the limited edition colors!
That's all I got for you. If you have any questions, feel free to comment below or DM me. I'm an open book, and always willing to answer any questions!
Love,
Sydney
Just so you know, I may earn a commission off the links on my blog at no cost to you through various affiliate programs. I appreciate your support and love sharing my favorite products with you! :)
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