Benefits Of Using Period Underwear
From keeping your clothes clean to going easier on the environment and saving money, there’s a wide array of benefits to using period underwear. Knix founder Joanna Griffiths dished on a few key benefits: She says period panties take away the worry of not knowing exactly when you might get your period throughout the day and remove the need to carry panty liners, pads, and tampons positively impact our environment and revolutionize menstruation worldwide, especially for those who may not have access to, or cannot afford, expensive disposable products. Arumala adds that they’re useful for preventing vulvar and/or vaginal irritation, as well as when culture or religion reasons preclude use of internal products.
Thinx Vs Modibodi Vs Speax: A Review Of The Best New Period Panties For Women
Getting your period is not fun. Cramping, bloating, craving, and well, messiness its a tough time of the month. Thankfully, plenty of new startups like Thinx, Modibodi and Speax are focused on creating products that women can use for their monthly friend. While we may have all heard of organic tampons and gummy vitamins for PMS, there is a new category of innovation using surprisingly sophisticated technology: period-proof panties.
The concept of period panties has always existedjust not quite in the way that these new ones do. Traditionally, theyve been the rattiest pair of granny panties youve owned for a decade that you dont mind ruining with leaks and such.
With this in mind, Thinx, Modibodi, and Speax are here to change your idea of period underwear, and show you new products that will blow your pants off.
Rael Reusable Period Underwear
Along with period underwear, Rael carries its own collection of menstrual cups, pads, tampons and panty liners. Absorbing as much as three tampons, this pair is meant to look like the everyday underwear you might be used to wearing. The underwear is made with four layers including one from cotton and another thats meant to protect against moisture and odors. In terms of fit, the company says this pair is stretchy while still hugging your curves. It currently comes in four sizes, Small to X-Large, and you can choose to bundle the underwear in a pack of one, two or three. This underwear has earned an average 4.2-star rating over more than 250 reviews at Rael.
Read Also: How Do You Know If Your Period Is Coming
How To Wash Period Underwear
The first thing to do once you take off your period underwear is run them under cold water until the water runs clear. Once most of the blood is removed from the gusset, you can throw them in with a regular load of laundry on a delicate, cold-wash cycle . You can also put them in a delicates bag to keep them extra safe in the washer. Due to the high-tech nature of the fabric, you’ll want to hang-dry rather than tumble. Once the underwear is nice and dry, fold them up and bring them out on your next moon cycle.
What I Like About Thinx
I like that Thinx is trying to solve a BIG problem. What is that? The problem of blood leaks, stained clothing and sheets during your monthly. I also like that they are trying to solve it with a more sustainable product.
+ 1 Point for Mission & Problem Solving
I like Thinxs branding. I want to meet their marketing team and learn from them. They are the sh*t. They are good. Thinx if youre reading this, great job on the marketing, branding, and advertising. You guys rock! You know your audience and you woo the heck out of them! Huge fan here in Hawaii.
I LOVE that Thinx is thinking about girls in developing countries and is empowering them to sew reusable cloth pads for their periods. You know what would be even cooler? If Thinx showed them how to sew actual Thinx underwear by themselves. Bam! Then, Thinx would be helping girls in the developing world from leaking just like us in the developed world.
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Why Is It Important To Induce Menstruation
It is not rare that women and girls for more comfortable holiday use hormone therapy to accelerate the menstrual cycle. If you are expecting some important event or you just paid holidays right when your period should come, and when you could not enjoy quite free, you can try some inducing period tricks.
Perhaps the best way to regulate the menstrual cycle is starting to take birth control pills. But, for this, you should talk to your doctor, who will recommend the most appropriate for your situation. The pill regulates the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body. These pills are often prescribed to women under 35 and can improve other problems like acne.
You should also keep in mind that the weight you have can affect your period: overweight makes you produce more estrogen, which prevents ovulation. Therefore, losing weight is an excellent way to regulate period cycles. There is also the other extreme: losing too much weight or being below ideal weight can provoke amenorrhea or lack of menstruation.
But before you decide to accelerate menstruation in any way, make a pregnancy test for early detection of pregnancy, as many things below may negatively affect pregnancy and cause tragic consequences. Therefore, if there is any chance that you are pregnant, do not attempt to accelerate the period.
How Period Underwear Works
In essence, period undies work the same way as regular underwear doesbut with the added absorption setting them apart. Expertly designed menstrual underwear shouldn’t feel different to the touch or on the body, but they should include an added layer of fabric that can either work in lieu of a pad or tampon or provide extra protection to avoid leakage.
Just like each woman, period underwear types are unique and serve different purposes, says ob-gyn and pH-D Feminine Health adviser Ruth Arumala, D.O. Some create an extra barrier of protection from leakage others take the place of other feminine hygiene products. Different brands use various patented technology to ensure optimal absorption, and every company in this roundup is backed by real women who swear by the products.
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I Tried Free Bleeding Into Period Panties And This Is What Happened
Did the underwear change my periods and life forever?
I got my period a few months before I turned 10 years old, so you’d think I would have this bleeding-out-of-my-vagina-every-month thing down by now. But still, it’s a pain in the a** each time. I’m not a huge fan of tampons, mostly because I have slightly irrational TSS-anxiety if I leave one in too long, so I usually stick to pads. Anyway, when I heard that there was a brand of underwear called Thinx that absorbs period blood, I knew I had to try them.
Thinx sent me three pairs to try out: the Hiphugger, a low-rise and full-coverage style for heavy days the Sport, a classic bikini style for medium days and the Cheeky, a skimpier style for light days. As soon as I took them out of the package, I was skeptical. The panties felt too… normal. Where was the diaper-like insert? Nowhere to be found. In fact, the crotch was more like that of a bathing suit. Plus, they didn’t look like granny panties they’re actually pretty cute!
Here’s how my five-day period week went down in my new undies.
Day One
I got my period while at the Seventeen.com office late in the afternoon and didn’t have my Thinx with me. Fail! Luckily, my first day is often super light. I popped on a panty liner and went about my day and wore a light-day pad to bed. The true test would have to wait until tomorrow, aka my heaviest flow day.
Day Two
The crotch wasn’t wet at all, and it didn’t feel full or saggy.
Day Three
Day Four
Day Five
Final Thoughts
Whats The Difference Between Thinx & Speax
Well, apart from the obvious one, there are a lot of similarities between the two.
The main two differences are that Speax is for urine-proof underwear, while Thinx is more for period-proof underwear. Because of that, there is a big discrepancy in absorbency, with Speax being able to hold much more liquid than Thinx.
However, that doesnt mean that they would perform better than Thinx for periods. Both are effective for what theyre trying to achieve, but not the other way around.
When it comes to designs and style, they might be a touch similar, with Speax having much more lively colors. However, with all that said, theyre separate, and their main function is different.
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Performance: Great For Medium
Knix is a Toronto-based company, that sells bras, underwear and previously loungewear. I have purchased one of their bras in the past, as well as regular underwear. Their regular underwear is made from nylon and Lycra and is seamless.
Their leakproof line is designed for periods and urinary incontinence . The bikini underwear can hold up to 2 tampons-worth of fluid, which is roughly 10mL , although they have other styles .
Their leakproof underwear is designed very similarly to their regular line – both are seamless, the body is made from nylon and Lycra, the only difference is that the leakproof pair has a lined crotch , which is 86% cotton. I wore this pair on my medium – light days . And I liked them because they were thin and seamless and I didn’t need any of the additional lining.
Taking care of them was also easy – I washed them in cold water and threw them into the dryer .
2 MONTH UPDATE: Still going strong! Like I’ve said, I’ve purchased other Knix underwear in the past and it still looks good as new.
6 MONTH UPDATE: The ironed seam has come loose, which is incredibly disappointing . This has left some of the padding exposed. That said, I will continue to use them .
2019 UPDATE: I bought another leakproof pair for $9 at Knix’s first warehouse sale. I also bought a few bras , pyjamas , and evolution top which I have yet to wear. I really like this company, and I’m so happy that I found a wire-free bra that feels and looks great!
Best Undies For When You Absolutely Need A Thong: Dear Kate Ada Thong $32
Like so many things in life, thongs are an unfortunate necessity. Even during my menstrual cycle, amid cramps and bloating, I occasionally have to put on a pair of leggings and look presentable. Luckily, the smart women designing period underwear have prepared us for that eventuality.
I tried several styles of full-coverage thongs, but the Ada won. The lining was thicker, but the lace band allowed me some comfiness and stretch. If you have to put on a glorified G-string, it should be this one.
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Stopping Periods When Using Birth Control
People who are taking the combined contraceptive pill can plan their period to some extent as they know that it will come during the week that they are taking either the dummy pills or no pills.
If they have started their placebo pills or pill break for the week and their period has commenced, they could begin taking their next pack of pills.
Doing this will increase the level of hormones in their body, which may shorten the duration of bleeding, although there is no guarantee of this.
People can stop their periods in the long term by using hormonal birth control. Doctors refer to this as âmenstrual suppression.â
Long-term methods for stopping your period include:
My Overall Impression Of Thinx
Heres what I know, Thinx has prompted me to really get my stuff together when it comes to my monthly flow. Im trying out the Diva cup next. Im going for it. I really like the idea of not using throw-away paper products for my monthly. I also felt liberated, if only for one day, form that freakin tampon. Thanks Thinx!
Will I use Thinx again? Yeah, I think ill keep them as my night-time leak protection panties. But, since the fit is kind of strange, I doubt Ill wear them out if it involves a lot of moving around.
Finally, Thinx, were cool. But, Im so so so happy I didnt mess up my cute, hug me in all of the right places white jeans, using you. That #4 Lead Resistant claim on your website I dont know about all of that
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Investing In Period Undies Does Good For Women In Need Too
Apparently, some brands have giving back programs. For instance, in 2017, Thinx gave more than $260,000 and 5,700 pairs of underwear to organizations working to end poverty. Meanwhile, Modibodi has its Give a Pair program wherein customers can buy virtual pair vouchers and Mobidobi donates two pairs to womens shelters all over Australia where the brand is located.
Uh How Long Is The Liquid Staying Down There
This question ALWAYS gets overlooked.
I usually get asked how much my products hold, but this is not the right question to ask.
There was one particular instance in my 6 year tenure as incontinence product creator where someone specifically asked for an item to hold liquid for a particular amount of time.
Aka, ALL DAY.
Despite my attempt to point out that it was not realistic, the person paid me a large amount of money to try. An attempt that was a failure , which led me to giving them a large refund, was a general waste of time and money for everyone involved, and made me feel feelings that I dont like to feel in my business.
But WHY did it fail?
After all, I used multiple layers of hemp and 3D zorb, plus an additional insert and a 10 inch crotch width. Although it was an All-in-One diaper style, which I would never recommend for overnight or all day if youre dealing with severe incontinence.
The above equation is sufficient if you plan to change very soon afterwards. If you cant or dont want to then we have to add another variable.
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The Best Period Proof Underwear For Girls
In my opinion, you find the best period panties at Thinx BTWN and RED by Modibodi. They both have unique technology, super high quality, lots of styles, colors and patterns to choose from, and so so many satisfied customers.
Theres really no big difference between them. The prices are about the same and they both offer good value Bundle packs or Starter kits. The sizes and designs are also created with the adolescent body in mind.