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Original poster

Wearing period pants every day between cycles. Yes or no?

106 replies

BrightSparkInTheDark · 26/02/2023 08:38

Are there any down sides (aside from the expense) of wearing period pants every day between periods? DD15 has ASD and is severely anxious about having to deal with periods at school to the point she’s struggling to attend (she’s not in MS). Her periods are not yet regular.

She feels secure if she has protection from period pants and it makes her life easier; she also finds them comfortable. I’m planning to order her multiple pairs of high protection pants to wear every day between cycles to help her.

DH thinks I’m mad. Are there any reasons this is not a good idea?

OP posts:
Asthmatron3000 · 26/02/2023 08:45

They're also designed for absorbing urine so there's no reason I can think of that they can't be used day to day, I would imagine they're much more breathable and skin safe than chemical-laden disposables.

Original poster
BrightSparkInTheDark · 26/02/2023 09:12

I did not know that. I cannot see any reason why they would not be ok then.

OP posts:
tealandteal · 26/02/2023 09:14

I don’t wear them everyday but I wear them as normal pants when not on period as well as they fit really well and don’t have VPL. No downsides I can see.

Sugarfree23 · 26/02/2023 09:15

Why not get her to keep some in her bag rather than wearing them all the time. I'm thinking about the cost and how quickly they'll wearing out if they are being use daily.

Buttalapasta · 26/02/2023 09:17

I feel they're a bit much for everyday use so I would maybe wear something lighter and more breathable while at home.

NoSquirrels · 26/02/2023 09:17

It’ll be fine from a health perspective. It’s more a cost issue but you sound like that’s not something to worry about if it gets her happily to school.

NoSquirrels · 26/02/2023 09:18

What’s your DH’s objection? As a non-period-experienced person?

AuroraForever · 26/02/2023 09:18

They’ll be absolutely fine for daily use and if helps her feel secure it can only be a good thing. Why does your DH think you’re mad? What does he know about living with periods?!

Thepurplelantern · 26/02/2023 09:20

Cannot see the problem at all. Pads/tampons are a total faff. This sounds like a great idea and as her period regulates she will be better able to predict when she is due and she can cut down days then if she wants to.

35965a · 26/02/2023 09:20

No issues if it keeps her happy. They are just as comfortable and breathable as normal pants.

Magenta82 · 26/02/2023 09:21

There is nothing wrong with wearing them, they are comfy and will make her feel secure.

What is DH's objection? Is it the cost?

Singleandproud · 26/02/2023 09:24

Perhaps buy some cheap part coverage ones, Primark do some where the coverage is just in the crotch section instead of all the way up to the waistband.

However, with every wash you will be making them less absorbant etc, they only last so long so I would keep a particular set separate for actual period days, and then just use others for 'just in case' days.

HyacinthineMacaw · 26/02/2023 09:26

Tell your dear husband that when he has his own periods to manage he can have an opinion, but until that day, he has no idea what he’s talking about and can butt out.

OP, if this is a way of easing your daughter’s anxiety and getting her into school, it seems a small price to pay. Certainly cheaper than paying for home tutoring, which might be the only way to get her through GCSEs if she refuses school. She’s at an age when many children with ASD start to experience autistic burnout due to the additional pressures on them, so anything you can do to keep her happily in school has to be worth it.

Greenbeans123 · 26/02/2023 09:26

Dd did this (also asd) now usually wears them half of the time. We managed to reduce by getting her to use a period tracker and I've noticed she seems to now wear them for about a week or two before (still not regular) her period starts till a few days after now. It has caused no problems and has allowed her to independently manage her periods and as shes got more used to her periods she's become less reliant on them. I also think there's a sensory issue as she thinks they are the most comfortable she has.

Original poster
BrightSparkInTheDark · 26/02/2023 09:29

DH is objecting because of the cost. DD is very particular about how they feel and after trying many brands, typically it’s the most expensive she has settled on.

We have tried sending some pants in her bag, but she panics in case she starts before she can get to a toilet and then will panic about what to do, this is contributing to her not being able to attend.

So the most comforting option for DD would be to have a pair on every day (but the expense!). As a pp mentioned, it would be a good idea to keep a set specifically for period days too.

OP posts:
Original poster
BrightSparkInTheDark · 26/02/2023 09:33

The idea would be to revert back to normal pants once she’s more used to them and more regular.

OP posts:
TyneTeas · 26/02/2023 09:35

DH doesn't get a say in period management.

Would reusable pads worn daily be an option?

Original poster
BrightSparkInTheDark · 26/02/2023 09:37

@Greenbeans123 thank you for sharing. I hope this will work for my DD too.

OP posts:
pizzaHeart · 26/02/2023 09:37

I agree with @Singleandproud‘s comment about Primark ones. They are soft enough and not very expensive.
I think wearing them every day will affect their absorbency and might be irritating for skin for some people e.g my DD wouldn’t wear them every day for this reason but your DD might be different.
I completely understand her worries, leaking is awful. My DD is also very worried about leaking. She has an app and starts wearing everyday pad 5 days before the start day. However her periods became unpredictable recently after Covid and she ended up wearing a daily pad for a months.

Someo · 26/02/2023 09:37

My DD struggles with her periods too OP. She's a bit younger at 13. I actually started a thread about it and one of the suggestions was to just use period pants to reassure DD and make it easier for her.

It's working well so far!

I don't really think DH opinion counts for a lit when it comes to women managing their menstrual cycle.

Hollyhead · 26/02/2023 09:38

Could you help her to start tracking her cycles and use normal pants for say the first 10 days after her period has ended as another one so soon would be very unlikely, then switch to them until period? Would cut down some of the usage and wear on them. Otherwise I can’t see a problem.

Magenta82 · 26/02/2023 09:39

I used reusable pads for years before period underwear was a thing. They are better than disposable pads but slightly less comfy than period pants. It might be worth giving them a go, you can get a pack for a similar cost to one pair of period knickers.

GoodChat · 26/02/2023 09:39

Presumably it's a temporary solution until she has a regular cycle and feels comfortable managing them? So the expense won't be that long lived and it'll get her into school - which realistically is the most important part.

scrivette · 26/02/2023 09:39

Would she wear a liner in her knickers and keep a spare pair of period pants in her bag?

The tracking idea mentioned by a PP sounds positive too.

Enko · 26/02/2023 09:40

Hollyhead · 26/02/2023 09:38

Could you help her to start tracking her cycles and use normal pants for say the first 10 days after her period has ended as another one so soon would be very unlikely, then switch to them until period? Would cut down some of the usage and wear on them. Otherwise I can’t see a problem.

This is a good idea as it also gives your dd a feeling of understanding her body, I think a lot of anxiety around period is about not fully getting the way our body works.

OP I use them as I have stress incontinent issues and I have gone through menopause.