Reviewing period undies

[lizbee]

I am 39 years old and have been menstruating since I was 11. And I am very sorry to report that women in my family tend to hit menopause late.

Over these last 28 years, I have used pads, tampons and menstrual cups. But I don't actually like any of these options. (Have you ever tried to remove a menstrual cup with a broken foot? I don't rate the experience.)

I was never particularly excited by the prospect of reusable pads, because (a) that involves far too much rinsing and soaking; and (b) they mostly seemed to be made by nice hippies on Etsy, and I was like, "Yes, but the smell...?" I got some reusable panty liners, but was reluctant to go for anything more heavy-duty.

Along came period undies! Moisture-wicking? No odour? Okay, now we're talking. After several friends recommended them, I ordered a set ... and then another ... and then another. I am trying as many brands as I can, and here are my findings so far.

General observations

• So far, every brand I've encountered has been extremely gendered in its styling and marketing. Gender neutral period pants are out there, but you have to go looking for them.
• Rinsing them out is annoying, but I will take five minutes of that over the discomfort/chafing/insertion and removal shenanigans of tampons, pads/liners and cups. I rinse them out after each wear, leave them to dry in my bathroom, then chuck them in my laundry basket and wash them with my regular load.
• Storage is a challenge and I kind of wish I had space to keep them separate from my regular underoos
• Various brands are sold in supermarkets, but usually only in small-size bikini styles. This is systematic oppression. Fortunately, Big W has an extensive and reasonably-priced range. (Target has a small, average-priced range. Kmart has its own brand, which I will discuss below.)
• My preference is for high-waisted granny panties (as one friend put it: "I realised that my arse is twice as big as my husband's, so why was my underwear half the size of his?") so that's the style I tend to gravitate towards.
• My period is mostly light, but it has about two days of heaviness that includes a six-hour period where I soak through a tampon every couple of hours. So far I haven't found period pants that will accommodate the full force of my flow, and I haven't been able to find overnights in stores. But period undies + a tampon is better than a liner + tampon.

Modibodi

Modibodi seem to be the OG Australian period pants, appearing on the market not long after Thinx became a thing in the US. They're definitely the most expensive, but mostly worth it.

• fabric is some sort of soft, silky synthetic, save the gusset, which is cotton
• it's true that there's no period odour ... but they do take on an odd smell when you've been sweating. Fortunately the crotch area is the last place anyone would sweat, right? RIGHT?
• these are the lightest and most comfortable period undies I've tried
• that synthetic fabric does tend to pill though
• the gusset is in a good place for me, no leakage
• sold online and at Big W, but it's hard to find my size and preferred style in stores

Bonds Bloody Comfy Undies

Bonds is the other "big" brand here, and a lot of my friends swear by them. I have a bunch of pairs, but they're not my favourite.

• again, these are synthetic with a cotton gusset
• they don't have the sweaty odour problem, but the fabric isn't as soft, soooooooooooooo swings and roundabouts
• the waistband sits at a slightly annoying spot on my belly, but that's just the right spot on some of my friends, so, you know, good luck
• the gusset starts a bit low, so I'm at risk of leakage, and it doesn't go high enough at the back
• "Why do you own so many, Liz?"
• well, they're often on sale at Big W, and if they're reduced to $13 a pop -- compared to $30 for Modibodi -- it's been worthwhile to have a few extras, even though I sometimes have to change them in the middle of the night (I have stopped wearing them at night)
• I got two pairs of the bikini style because they were the only ones available in my size, and the gusset problem is particularly pronounced there

Love Luna

• these are my faves
• fabric is an unremarkable synthetic with a cotton gusset
• it gets some sweat smell, but not nearly as notable as the Modibodi
• the gusset starts high and goes all the way to the back
• I CAN SLEEP ON MY BACK WITHOUT RISK, BABY provided it's not a super heavy phase
• this means they're more bulky than the equivalent Bonds or Modibodis, but still a fraction of the bulk of an equivalent pad
• I cannot believe I used to wear multiple heavy duty pads while also wearing leggings as pants
• truly the early '90s were grim
• Love Lunas are still not enough for my heaviest times, but I'm optimistic about their overnights, and I have two pairs of their incontinence pants to try this month
• I refuse to be embarrassed about this, I looked the security guard in the eye and asked him to remove the security tags, and I did not blush
• they're $13.50 a pair at full price ($20 for the pee proof pants) and sold online and at Big W
• they also do reusable panty liners, I got a bunch on sale for $8 a pop at Woolworths
• oooh they do swimsuits now!
• A+ would shed the lining of my uterus into again

Kmart brand

• $12 a pop
• the label says "moderate flow" but they reached capacity after a couple of hours on my very lightest day
• cannot believe Kmart has let us down like this

Brands I have not yet tried

• Thinx (I didn't even know they were available in Australia until I did a quick google! They are even more expensive than Modibodi, but have some great options!)
• Scarlet (brand new, I had never heard of them until said google -- they're on par with Modibodi in terms of price, although I do not understand the appeal of the period G-string. They also sell "feminine wash", so I'm guessing they don't actually know how vaginas work)
• Cotton On x Toms (I'm not a big fan of Toms tampons OR Cotton On's fast fashion, so I'm not even disappointed they don't offer undies in my size)

Comments

[sugar_fey]

This is interesting stuff! I have an IUD and take the pill continuously to manage my endometriosis, so I don't get periods very often. It would be awesome to have some undies to use on the days when I do. I'll look into Love Luna.

Granny panties are where it's at, man. No elastic cutting into your hips, no rolls... I bought a pair of cotton granny pants once and never looked back.

[sabotabby]

Huh, fascinating! I have to have an IUD after the pill gave me too many migraines, which allows me to work but is still more period than I would like. But I'm super picky about underwear and only really like to wear boy shorts.

[goodbyebird]

There are boxer briefs :)

[sabotabby]

Huh, so there are. But $50 is more than I'm willing to spend on underwear.

[grav_ity]

Thinx are fine. I find them bulky. I think I bought them before they switched to *true* plus size options, so mine fit weirdly, and are lower in the front than I'd like, but I think they've expanded since then.

I switched to Aisle last spring with 0 regrets. $50/pair, size options, colour options, style options. You can add a cloth insert if you need to (I do not). You launder them completely normally (no rinse, dryer), which is very convenient. I have six pairs, so now I wear them almost all the time, and they have eliminated me feeling sweaty.

[goodbyebird]

This is such a useful post! Love Luna going high in the back is a thing I absolutely have need of!

I have tried reusable pads, but they are way too bulky to be worn outdoors. Tampons are a no go because my period can turn off like a faucet. I had two instances of removing a fully dry tampon and NO THANK YOU.

[laurenthemself]

Have you ever tried to remove a menstrual cup with a broken foot?

I think you're meant to use your hands, Liz.

[lizbee]

*SIGH*

[laurenthemself]

XD

Seriously good post though. If I weren't having my yeeterus this year (hopefully... bit iffy with the elective surgery on hold stuff), I would give these a go.