Period underwear offers a reusable and comfortable alternative to traditional menstrual products. Learn how to choose the safest options, and what to know about cost, comfort, and health.

Period underwear can help you avoid the hassle and wastage of traditional pads or tampons, giving you less to think about during this time of the month.

You can also stay stylish, as you no longer need to pull out the old underwear you don’t mind staining or feel uncomfortably aware of a crumpling pad beneath you.

Period underwear comes in many styles and colors, so you can choose a similar look and feel to your usual underwear, just with a few clever additions…

Period underwear is designed with multiple layers to provide moisture-wicking, absorbency, and leak-proof protection.

3-layer system:

  • Moisture-wicking layer: This layer is close to your skin and helps draw moisture away, keeping you feeling dry.
  • Absorbent layer: The middle layer is made of absorbent material, such as microfiber or bamboo, that can hold fluid to prevent leaks.
  • Leak-proof layer: The outer layer gives you an additional final barrier to ensure leaks don’t happen. This is often made of nylon and Lycra.

Absorbency levels

Period underwear comes in various absorbency levels suitable for different flows.

Choose from the following:

  • Light flow: for spotting or light days
  • Moderate flow: for regular days
  • Heavy flow: for heavy bleeding or overnight use

To choose the right absorbency for you, consider your flow patterns and daily activities. You may need a different absorbency level depending on where you are in your period.

Benefits of period underwear include the following.

Environmentally friendly

Period underwear offers significant environmental benefits by reducing disposable product waste and carbon footprint.

May have cost savings

While period underwear requires an initial investment, the long-term savings are substantial. Period underwear may allow you to save money over time, as after purchasing once, you can reuse these products again for your next cycle.

Keep in mind, though, you’ll need multiple pairs for each period. And they may take longer to dry after washing than typical underwear due to the many layers of absorbency.

Comfortable

Period underwear provides freedom of movement and reduced leakage, enhancing comfort and convenience. Many people find them more comfortable than traditional pads or tampons.

They are slightly bulkier than typical underwear, but no more so than usual pads. But the benefit of period underwear is that the top layer is made of soft material, so it feels more comfortable against your skin.

Plus, you don’t need to worry about the pad moving out of position, as it’s built in.

Style choices

Period underwear comes in many styles and colors, so you can feel your best at any time of the month.

Styles you can choose from include:

  • high-waisted briefs
  • bikini cuts
  • hipsters
  • boyshorts
  • thongs
  • shorts

Things to watch out for include:

Check for PFAS

Some period underwear has been found to contain PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in the coating. These are otherwise known as “forever chemicals” because they break down slowly or not at all. They can also build up in the body over time. PFAS may have been used in period underwear to improve the water and stain-resistant properties.

PFAS exposure may be linked to harmful health effects. Period underwear is not FDA-regulated, so always try to confirm with the manufacturer that their period underwear is PFAS-free before buying.

If you have sensitive skin

Period underwear can benefit sensitive skin, but be sure to change to a new pair regularly to avoid the risk of rash or infection.

It’s important to ensure your period underwear is fully dry after washing, as using damp material can contribute to chaffing and sores.

For many people, yes. If you want to, you can use only period underwear. On the other hand, you may want to combine the underwear with tampons or cups for heavier days.

Leaks can happen if the absorbency limit is exceeded. This can happen if you wear the underwear for too long. However, you can avoid this by picking the right absorbency for your flow and changing your period underwear once it feels full.

Yes, period underwear can be especially helpful for teens new to periods. Many brands also offer teen styles and sizes.

Period underwear can be a great alternative to traditional menstrual products and offers multiple benefits, including environmental sustainability, cost savings, and comfort.

However, it is essential to consider safety and whether it matches your needs.