I Tried Period Underwear And It Blew My Mind

Period-proof undies are a fast-growing trend, and the reasons why are incredible

Yes. Period underwear. It’s exactly what it says on the tin.

You bleed in your pants.

And it might as well be the most eye-opening invention you try this year.

When I first heard about period underwear, I was confused, to say the least.

Isn’t it moving backward? Don’t we have all these other options that are easy enough and work just fine?

Sure, we’ve all heard about TSS. We might have even heard about the chemicals and bleach in tampons that dry us out. And sanitary towels, if not made from organic cotton, are just as bad — full of chemicals and plastics, irritating, leaky, bulky.

That’s where menstrual cups stride in. I’ve been using a cup for a couple of years now, and it’s fantastic. But my body gets extremely sensitive and tender on my first day or two and I always feel like shoving up a folded cup is the last thing I want to be doing.

But what if I didn’t have to?

Suddenly I was curious. I dived into reading about it on the website of the pioneering brand of period underwear. And was blown away by the reviews.

Less cramps. Zero waste. Better awareness of your own cycle.

Moreover, the underwear itself was beautiful. Carefully constructed, with lovely detailing, even sexy. Forget granny pants! Clearly this has been designed to look and feel amazing.

There was only one option. I had to put it to the test.

Ever looked forward to your period?

I set myself a goal to consistently use the pants for 6 months. That would give me enough time to get used to the big change first, and then objectively decide whether I loved or hated it.

So I picked out my set and waited patiently.

When the package arrived, I was amazed. Just like in the pictures, the underwear was beautiful. Soft, delicate, and surprisingly thin. I tried it on and it felt lovely. It’s always a luxury to find something comfortable and beautiful at the same time.

Amusingly, I suddenly realized I was looking forward to my period. So unheard of!

But I was also worried. Will the pants leak? How am I going to wash them? Is it really enough to absorb everything? What about wearing them outside?

At first, it’s a good idea to only try this at home. It does take some getting used to, so first figure out how it works best for you and your unique self. If it means you only try wearing them overnight, so be it.

Plan how you can incorporate the underwear to suit your day. Even if it means putting it on when you come home from work, that’s great. Just make sure you feel safe enough to surrender to the novelty of it.

Personally, I’ve been developing a habit of keeping my first day of period free of commitments. Things do get very intense for me, and I feel like I can do no good anyway.

Let it flow

Nature intended for things to be effortless. I was ready to embrace this idea.

My first day came, and for the first time in my life, I didn’t have to do anything. I could just put on these beautiful knickers and be comfortable.

But, there was one thing I wasn’t ready for. After a lifetime of using tampons and then the cup, without having to as much as a glimpse at what comes out, this part was a bit of a shocker.

Matters get close and personal.

Very quickly, you realize how disconnected you might have previously been. Because when wearing period pants, you see everything. You realize how much there is. You feel it every time you stand up.

But somehow it just feels right. You know it’s healthier for your body. You become aware of what your body is going through, and you feel respectful. You’re not forcing anything on or into your body. It’s just these soft, lovely, airy, natural materials resting against your skin.

You get to know your cycle better.

I thought this was a good time to start charting. I started making notes about how bad my period pains were, and how many pairs I used each day.

Throughout the whole first chapter of this experiment, there were no leaks. And I felt amazing. As soon as the second time around, I felt safe enough to venture out.

All adventurous women do

(Yes, I borrowed this title from Hannah in Girls, and I may or may not be listening to Robyn’s Dancing On My Own)

Period days are the hardest days for exiting the comfort zone.

Most of us would never imagine setting foot outside in just underpants and jeans on our strongest day. Except for the odd nightmarish dream from which you wake up all sweaty.

But I figured, to get a truly objective picture, I had to test the full potential.

Man, it was hard. Even though I took it easy and only went down the high street to get coffee and bagels, I was petrified.

I’m free-bleeding and no one knows, I wanted to call out as I entered the corner shop.

And guess what — it stayed that way. I came home and it was fine. Not the tiniest speck of maroon anywhere near my jeans.

Next time, I went a little further. And then, even further than that. Soon, cramps permitting, I was running all around town and even forgetting I had the panties on. I became so confident in their efficiency I even took them to a clothes shop and into the fitting room.

Too much? Perhaps. I’ve only done it once.

Before the 6 months were even over, I was done with the experimenting part. I didn’t need to trial anymore.

The experiment has turned into preference.

I’ve grown to be so much more accepting of everything that goes on in my body. I stopped fighting my symptoms, and instead learned how to work with what’s bearable.

Thanks to my charting I have found that period panties did, in fact, reduce my cramps, especially on the first day. Probably because I allowed everything to just relax. There was a lot less muscle tension and stress usually caused by forcing something on my body when it’s the most sensitive.

Your budget vs. sustainability

Period underwear stops these two from being enemies. Yes, you do spend a larger chunk of money first, but the pants pay for themselves rather quickly:

In the UK, we spend on average £12 for sanitary products per period. If you are avoiding chemicals and buy organic tampons or pads, the figure will be higher.

With period pants you are using significantly less if not zero additional products. This means that a set of 5 panties will pay for themselves in about 6–8 months, after which you’re basically menstruating for free. This happens even sooner if you use a cup instead of disposables, alongside the pants.

I have not spent any money whatsoever for sanitary products for over 2 years now.

According to this research conducted by Mooncup, each menstruating person uses on average 11,000 disposable sanitary products in their lifetime. All of these end up in landfill or in the ocean.

As part of the International Coastal Cleanup in 2013, Ocean Conservancy focused on counting sanitary products. In just one day, their volunteers collected 27,938 used tampons and applicators on the beaches they covered.

In just one day.

We can avoid flooding our planet with sanitary waste by choosing long term period solutions like reusable menstrual cups and period-proof underwear. They last for years.

Make it work for you

How you choose your own set depends on the length and strength of your period. As it’s a bit of a leap into the unknown, it’s probably best to first try just a couple of pairs and see where it takes you.

My period currently lasts 3–4 days, with mostly medium to light flow. I’m usually good with rotating 5–6 pairs, or less when I’m ok with using the cup.

Caring for the underwear is easy. Unless the manufacturer states otherwise, you literally just machine wash on a cold cycle and hang dry.

If you want, you can rinse in cold water beforehand, and then you machine wash on just a 15 minutes cold cycle. Then, hang them near the radiator to quickly dry overnight.

Whatever you do, don’t put them in the tumble dryer, and don’t use fabric conditioner. That is it.

The eye-opening fact you probably didn’t know

I believe our periods don’t hold us back. It’s feeling uncomfortable, worried, and self-conscious that does. Plus the pain.

But it could be worse.

Even today, so many girls around the world still don’t have access to efficient sanitary products.

And guess what:

Even in the UK and the US, about 10% of young girls are forced to skip school regularly, because they cannot afford to buy sanitary products.

This is why it’s crucial we find and support companies that partner with charities, and provide support and products to underprivileged and struggling girls.

It’s why I love the brand I bought from. They’re called Thinx. They’re true pioneers. They speak up for women’s health and period awareness. They break down taboos and barriers which, thick as clouds, still surround our cycles today.

They actively work with charities such as Girls Inc. to expand easy access to sanitary supplies and women’s healthcare.

When we buy from companies working with such charities, we’re helping these girls too.

I wasn’t aware of any of these issues before. Thanks to this lifestyle change, I’ve learned so much. I started donating tampons and pads to my local food bank on a regular basis. My own periods have become waste-free. I look after my body with much more compassion.

My periods are healthier, and they don’t stress me out anymore.

Simply put, your wellbeing comes first.

Because your finest-feeling self is best equipped to make a positive difference in the life of others.

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