** This post about making the switch to period underwear contains affiliate links. Floradise is compensated for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting Floradise!
UPDATE: I no longer recommend Thinx underwear. According to news reports, a third-party sued Thinx after finding potentially harmful chemicals in Thinx period underwear. Read about the claim here. Thinx denied wrongdoing.
Period underwear has been around for about a decade, according to Consumer Reports. But I personally hadn’t heard much about them until 2021. After seeing positive reviews about various brands, I finally started to make the switch to period underwear.
What is period underwear? Period underwear absorbs menstrual blood/discharge. They act sort of like a pads but in underwear form, and they can be washed and reused.
Reasons to Switch to Period Underwear
There are various reasons I wanted to try period panties.
They are eco-friendly.
You don’t discard them after each use, like pads and tampons. You wash your underwear and rewear them. They don’t come in plastic packaging that is thrown out, either. Those who want to be more sustainable would like this benefit.
They are easier to use than period cups.
I tried a menstrual cup this year and found it difficult to insert. While I am not giving up on cups quite yet, period underwear seemed like a great alternative to them that didn’t cause any mishaps.
They are convenient.
You don’t need to worry about carrying around pads or tampons in your purse, backpack or pockets. I find that I don’t have to switch out my period underwear as often as I would need to worry about switching other period products.
They can be cost-effective in the long run.
While period underwear can range from about $10 to $40, they can still be more cost-effective than buying boxes of other period products every month. Brands include Proof, Hanes, Bali, Thinx and TomBoyx. You do need to invest in several pairs to begin with but you can start to cut back on your pad/tampon purchases. To some, the costs of getting started can be too much, but I suggest building up your period underwear collection over time or waiting for a sale. You can also buy in a bundle from some companies.
They are comfortable.
I have purchased several and I find each pair to be comfortable. I haven’t experienced any leaks, even on my heaviest days. You can find high-waist, low-waist, hiphugger, shorts, and many other styles for your comfort.
They can be more inclusive.
According to Consumer Reports, those who are non-binary or transgender might feel more comfortable wearing period underwear over using period products, for example in a public restroom.
Potential downsides
As I mentioned previously, cost can definitely be a factor in deciding to use period underwear. My hope is that more affordable options will come to the market and that period underwear can become more accessible. I have to order mine online because I have yet to see them in stores.
Sizing for some companies may need to be expanded as well.
