period pants

[loopsylala]

My DD is 11 and started her periods at the start of the year, just before her 11th birthday.

We started off with disposable pads, which she hated. She refused to consider tampons or menstrual cups and due to her age, I'm not keen on these options either.

So we have been using period pants and she is overall happier with this option.

However, it's been far from perfect and I wondered if other mums or pant users had any tips?

We've tried various brands:

Cheeky Wipes - DD's least favourite brand as they look and feel like swimwear. They are very plastic-y. There have been no leaks though and we have agreed that DD will wear them at nights.

Thinx - DD's favourite in terms of comfort and appearance. We go for the cotton version as apparently they have less odour. I have bought adult 'heavy' versions and teen 'medium' versions for DD. They all leak after just a few hours. And there is the expense - including import taxes.

Wuka - recent purchase. Not yet tried on DD. Fingers crossed. My first appearance is that they are very similar in appearance and feel to the cheeky wipes so I'm not sure whether she will like them. They say they hold 4 tampons worth.

Both CW and Thinx smell. A lot. When DD pulls her trousers down (but not her pants) the smell is very noticeable, even after just a few hours. I know that you rinse them out in the sink (like a murder scene!) then pop into the machine on their own without any washing powder, but I find I sometimes need to re-wash them as the smell is still there.

So I hoped that anyone else using period pants can give me some tips and recommendations for DD? I feel like its supposed to save me money but with the different brands I've been trying, it has not.

DD is particularly worried about PE and getting changed for PE in front of her friends and potential smells and leaks.

I use Modibodi and have no issues. No leaks. There's a slight period smell when they're quite full and pulled down but it's certainly gone after a wash in the sink.

I asked about this a few weeks back and had a quick google this morning.

Found this website which gives reviews. www.periodpantiesreviews.com/best-period-panties-reviews

Unfortunately, there seem to be problems with all of them - leaking and smell - apart from the first one listed.

I'm waiting for appointment to get a new Mirena, so I'm not going to bother as all going well, my periods will stop again with Mirena, and I wouldn't get my money's worth.

Yes, Modibodi was recommended here when I asked. Success maybe depends on which style you buy.

To be honest I'm just not a fan of period pants - for some of the reasons you've given. They seem to work best for me as back up.

Can I ask why you don't want your DD using internal products due to her age? I think in terms of smells and discretion (something my DD was very keen on at that age) they do have real advantages.

She refused to consider tampons or menstrual cups and due to her age, I'm not keen on these options either.

Fair enough, she doesn't want to try them. Don't understand they comment about age though. These products are designed for people who have periods, not people of a certain age.

Another Modibodi fan here, but I use them alongside a mooncup.

I mean at that age, she's still getting used to her body and she feels uncomfortable with the idea of tampons and menstrual cups. I think she is too young too and still developing.

I don't like the idea of menstrual cups on myself either (yes I tried and did not like them)

doesn't anyone else remember how self conscious and awkward we all were at that age?

Fair enough if she doesn't want to use tampons but there's certainly no harm in her using them. I used them from day 1 when I started.

I use the ones from Cheeky Wipes and live them. I am never going back

Is your daughter having very heavy periods? I ask because mine are incredibly heavy and I've never leaked through Thinx. I've also never noticed a smell (unless they don't get washed within a day).

It might just be worth speaking to a GP to make sure everything is absolutely fine on that front.

I don't know if you want to spend any more, but some friends of mine recommend modi bodi very highly which might be better?

Yes her period was very heavy last week and lasted over a week. It's normal to have irregular periods in the first year. My sister and I had similar experiences.

Which of the Thinx pants do you use? DD uses the cotton versions, both adult heavy and the teen range (which only come in medium or light)

She has a panty prop swimming costume which has not leaked so far although her swim day is usually on one of her light days.

I have bought some CW ones for DD. She hasn’t started yet, but 8 wanted to be prepared. She has been getting tummy aches the last couple of months, which I am guessing are a pre-cursor as I remember having them too.

I have also bought some washable pads as the lady on the CW stall at the baby show suggested a pad for the morning, then pants alone for the afternoon to reduce the risk of leaks.

I’m interested in reading the responses.

I have modibodi but bought them to wear with a tampon when wearing a white martial arts suit as I'm terrified of leakage. Must have been a man who designed the uniform.

Not sure I'd wear them without additional protection, and they are very expensive.

Have you considered reusable towels? You can get them from CW and any number of other providers. I use them and they last a long time without smelling. You do need tight pants with them though as they can move about if they're not held in.

You can also get organic cotton tampons which aren't as good as something reusable but do at least biodegrade quickly.

Wrt tampons-I used them from pretty much starting my periods as I did a lot of sport.
Went for non applicator ones as found the applicator ones too fiddly.
Remember feeling v awkward about it but my mum just said ‘well, you don’t have an issue putting your finger up your nose-it’s not that much different’ . Blunt but served me well!

I don’t understand the thing with period pants - don’t you need to change them a few times a day? Say they hold two tampons worth - is that super? Superplus? On my first couple days I’d be changing my tampon (superplus) every hour.
My daughter (14) refuses to try tampons (I couldn’t even think of using them til I was 17). She uses the cheaper pants I get from Amazon which are really just to prevent leaks, not meant to be worn on their own.
I just can’t get my head around wearing those period pants for hours on end!

Meant to say She uses them with pads, which I am relieved to see aren’t the inch thick wads I had to use!

@Pipandmum

It depends on your flow, the brand and the type of pants

eg ones that say they hold 4 tampons worth can apparently be worn for 8 hours max which can be good for a school or work day but some people bleed more than others

I would like to find one for 8 days that doesn't leak or stink because whilst DD will have a spare pair with her, my worry is that she will forget and/or be too interested in socialising with her friends at break times.

DD is against any kind of pad or insertable sanitary protection. I myself did not use tampons (non applicator) until I was 13 and even then it took me a good few years to feel comfortable about it.

eight HOURS I mean lol

I don’t understand the thing with period pants - don’t you need to change them a few times a day

Yes - I find they hold much less than the tampon equivalent they claim and do need changing in the course of a day to prevent leaks. I found that pretty inconvenient - having to carry spare pants with me, what to do with the wet used pair, the requirement to totally strip down in the loos etc.

It's not something I think I would have found easy at school.

I have tried several types but found they all smell after a few hours. Logically even if they have the capability to continue absorbing for longer you still have a combination of period blood, warmth and a waterproof layer which will smell.

Have you heard of reusable towels Luxury Moon sell reusables and have period pants as well as towels.

My dd (12 and due her 4th period) prefers modibodis at school and usually wears a reusable cloth pad with them - even though she doesn't need it but it makes her feel more secure. She does a lot of horse riding so has modibodi "boy shorts" for that.
She lives reusables and hates it when for whatever reason, she's needed to rely on disposables. I bought some cloth pads via Etsy (Precious Stars do a good budget range) but I also make them for her and she loves customising her pads.

My 12 yr old DD hasn't started yet but she has Wuka pants, as they had a teen promo recently. I have horrendously heavy perimenopausal tsumamis every month and find both Wuka and Modibodi (heavy flow ones) very good. No smell issues - I bung them in with normal wash using Ecover and don't presoak.

@Pipandmum I change mine morning and evening and find that's absolutely fine - no smell or leaking, and I have heavy periods. It may well be though that for an even heavier flow than mine they aren't suitable.

They've been a godsend to me to be honest. I've never been able to wear tampons or a mooncup - both are painful. Period pants are so much more comfortable than sanitary pads, and they are the only solution I have ever had which stop me leaking at night.