Period Panties Offer A Greener Alternative To Traditional Tampons

Maybe I’m the last to know…but it seems there’s a new player in the feminine hygiene game. Period panties are what the cool kids are wearing now. And for someone who grew up on tampons and minipads, this new panty option is an interesting twist.

The period panties are made from an absorbent material, like a microfiber polyester. This traps blood flow; plus, there is also a barrier to keep moisture away from your skin and prevent leakage. Many of them add an odor control element as well.

I feel like I may need to hang my head in shame when I say that I am quite comfortable with the convenience of disposable feminine products. But it’s a new day. And there are a lot of good reasons to believe period underwear is more than a hip new trend.

The first reason is waste. Consider this: the Cleveland Clinic says the average menstruating female uses up to 15,000 pads or tampons in her lifetime. That’s a lot of environmental waste.

Secondly, the reusable panties are much more cost-efficient than popping boxes of tampons in your shopping cart each month. Especially when many of those tampons end up lost in the bottom of my handbag.

Speaking of tampons… did you know (of course) there’s a shortage? It partly has to do with global supply chain issues; and it’s made worse by the rising cost of raw materials, namely cotton and plastic.

But, the big question on my mind is cleanliness. How sanitary are these period panties? I’ll admit, there was a little bit of “ick” factor when I first heard about them. But if washed properly, they are perfectly hygienic and safe to use again and again, according to experts. I would opt for the washer personally, but you can wash them by hand, too. Some people suggest using an extra rinse cycle and to avoid washing with other garments or items.

So, if you’d like to give them a try-on, there are a lot of brands and styles to choose from. My daughter likes the prints at Victoria’s Secret. Bambody, which is sold on Amazon, has a big fan following, too. And yet another company, Thinx, has already established themselves as a leader in the space with funny, viral ad campaigns.

Whichever you brand choose, don’t worry, because the products are all pretty similar.

While I’m not sure how all-in I’m going on these, it’s nice to know there’s a product to fit every size and sensibility.