dear asking for a friend,
not sure if it’s just covid fatigue, or one more thing that i am unhappy with right now, but i am tired of my period. specifically, i am sick of staining my sheets, worrying about changing tampons, and i hate bulky pads. i’m not sure how i feel about menstrual cups, but i am wondering if period underwear might be a good option? can i wear them to stop leakage at night? and is there something i can do to help reduce a heavy flow in the first place?
signed, that time of the month
dear that time of the month,
just like menstrual cups, period underwear is a pretty big deal right now. beyond protecting against leaks, these undergarments — which also claim to protect against the moisture of pee and sweat — are
marketed
as an effective, bulk-free and eco-friendly alternative to the often messy and non-biodegradable tampons, pads and liners. they look and feel like regular underwear, only they have multiple layers of protection and a barrier to help prevent leakage and get you through those heavy flow days — and nights.
periods can be unpredictable and sometimes, it’s hard to tell if and when you’ll experience leakage. manufacturers of period undies claim that these undergarments can absorb as much as three times the amount of a regular pad or tampon. depending on your flow, these can be used as a standalone option or combined with other menstrual products, and worn throughout the day or at night. after use, you can rinse period underwear, hand wash or toss in the washing machine on cold water cycle and air dry them to avoid shrinkage.
but where does it all go?
“period underwear is made up of three layers at least,” dr. sally hutchinson told
abc life.
“the inner layer — that’s the layer next to the skin — is a knitted layer that wicks moisture away from the body quickly. it’s generally got a finish on it that makes it water repellent, but it’s got lots of channels in it that allow fluid to move through it and move away from the body.”