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AIBU?

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Original poster

Tell me about period pants please

48 replies

reachingfeverpitch · 21/05/2023 11:50

I currently have a teenager living with me.

AIBU to know nothing about period pants? They didn't have them when I was younger.

Please tell me everything (ie, the best ones, do they REALLY keep you dry, do you get leaks, do you use sanitary products too, how long can you wear them between changes, do you wear them at night, how do you store dirty ones and how do you wash them etc etc)? Are there any negatives?

Thanks!

OP posts:
SometimesMaybe · 21/05/2023 22:36

I use modibodi and they are great. Never leaked and so much more pleasant than towels (though I would use tampons rather than towels, but prefer period pants over both).

justanothermummma · 21/05/2023 22:37

I'm 28 and just joined the period pant bandwagon.

So far, I use them at night only on my heavier nights, as I usually leak if I wear pads at night. Hence deciding to try them!

Not confident to wear during the day at the moment mind.

I shower every day so in the morning after use, I rinse the pants there before washing.

They are expensive and take an age to dry, BUT it's a comfy night sleep, so maybe start there? I use Wuka.

PenelopeTheShroudWeaver · 21/05/2023 22:38

I love my period underwear, I find it so much more comfortable than pads!

I really like Modibodi, particularly the seam free bikini ones because they're really discreet even under gym leggings (VPL makes me feel self conscious)

If I'm out for the day and it's a heavy flow day I'll also use tampons at the start of the day, but from day 3 onwards I find them absorbent enough on their own

I do have some high waisted ones and boyleg ones for night time as well, they're great and I have never had a leak with those either

I put them on a cold rinse cycle, then cold wash with sports detergent (antibacterial) and no conditioner

Middlenamespot · 21/05/2023 22:39

I use them for lighter days, at the end of my period. And I also use them for the heavy day/days with other sanitary products, cup/tampons. I love them as an extra layer of security during heavy periods and to avoid using pads/tampons for lighter days. I always rinse in cold water before machine washing. I think I’m peri so my periods can catch me unaware so having an extra layer of protection is 💯! I’ve a few pairs from M&S and can’t remember where I got the others from!

marmite2023 · 21/05/2023 22:39

I use Wuka and they’re great. Im ND and have always had a phobic response to periods and period products. They’ve been a game changer for me. I have a relatively light period and can wear just one pair for the day and another at night.

Blarn · 21/05/2023 22:40

I have some Cheeky Wipes ones and love them. My period is 'normal': not super heavy, not light and I haven't had them leak. Wore a pair all day on a very hot day on holiday and they they were no smellier (sorry Blush) than any other pair of pants would be by the end of the day. Wouldn't have been able to do that with a sanitary towel. They are also comfortable.

Cola2534 · 21/05/2023 22:41

I have the M&S heavy flow ones, but I use them as backup to a tampon. They're nowhere near absorbent enough for my perimenopausal bleeding.
On my heaviest days, I even use them as an extra layer over tampon, knickers and normal pad, just an extra layer for reassurance at night or when I'm at work.

halfpasteleven · 21/05/2023 22:42

PenelopeTheShroudWeaver · 21/05/2023 22:38

I love my period underwear, I find it so much more comfortable than pads!

I really like Modibodi, particularly the seam free bikini ones because they're really discreet even under gym leggings (VPL makes me feel self conscious)

If I'm out for the day and it's a heavy flow day I'll also use tampons at the start of the day, but from day 3 onwards I find them absorbent enough on their own

I do have some high waisted ones and boyleg ones for night time as well, they're great and I have never had a leak with those either

I put them on a cold rinse cycle, then cold wash with sports detergent (antibacterial) and no conditioner

Can they be worn under swim wear?

throwa · 21/05/2023 22:53

I was very heavy, I'd go through a super plus tampon and a pad in 2 hours, and flooding was a real issue. Turned out I needed to have two blood transfusions before the gynae would operate on me for a hysterectomy (not related to periods / blood loss) as I was losing so much blood each month, which couldn't be addressed through the usual good diet and 200% RDA iron pills. The modibodi 24h pants were amazing - I could go all day in one pair, and all night in another (before I was waking at 2-3am to change my tampon otherwise I'd leak), and I would thoroughly recommend them.

My daughter has started her periods and I didn't even think twice about getting her the modibodi ones as well. She's a swimmer, and uses the swim pants under her normal costume and she's training 5x per week, no leaks. She did test them in the bath first as neither of us really trusted them but they were fine.

Very comfortable to wear, not like pads when you can feel them as you walk.

Washing is easy; rinse in the shower, you just tread on them a bit until the water runs clear, and into the washing machine, I run a darks wash every day so they're not hanging around for long. They do take 24h to dry on the line, you can't tumble them so I ended up with 6 pairs, quite an initial investment, to make sure that I always had a pair spare.

Mapletreelane · 21/05/2023 22:54

Gamechanger for my DD13. She was leaking so much with pads. She uses Modibodi, we have about 7 pairs as they do take long to dry.

She has really heavy periods, on her heaviest days she wears the maxi flow ones all day at school, changes when she comes home and again when she goes to bed.

I can smell them a little bit when she leaves them on the bathroom floor, but not when they are on her.

Washing them is a bit grim, I rinse them first in cold water and there can be a.lots if blood,.I always ensure the water runs clear. Then I'll wash a few pairs together, at end or beginning of the day on a cool quick wash with non bio liquid, then put them in airing cupboard to dry.

It can be a pain if you're away on holiday washing and getting them dry, and having an airing cupboard really helps.

But in terms of confidence for her, especially at school, they are amazing. Not having to faff round in grotty toilets or worry about leaking.

Tigofigo · 21/05/2023 22:59

What's the sizing like on modibodi please? I'm a small 10 but have pants in size 8 and size 10!

PenelopeTheShroudWeaver · 21/05/2023 23:03

@halfpasteleven the regular ones aren't designed for it but they do have a swimwear range now.
I haven't tried it but according to the website their swimwear somehow keeps the water out and the blood in. I'm thinking of giving it a go for my next holidays!

SilentParrot · 21/05/2023 23:07

Lottsbiffandsmudge · 21/05/2023 22:06

My DD15 has never used anything else.
She has Wuka ones in normal, heavy amd super heavy. She has heavy first 2 days so wears super heavy and uses 2 pairs a day and one more over night. Never had a leak. She puts the dirty pair in a cloth bag in her school bag to bring home. Once she hits day 3 she can go a whole day in one pair.
I rinse in cold water (if there's a lot of blood) and then put in the dark wash with everything else.
They take ages to dry so you do need a good quantity of pairs. They are expensive but compared to disposable pads etc will probably work out cheaper.
So much better for the planet too.

I love period pants and think they make life so much easier, especially for teens, but at 15 is she not old enough to rinse out her own pants? Rinsing out someone else's menstrual waste isn't a job I'd relish!

halfpasteleven · 21/05/2023 23:08

Thinking for my holidays too!

Thanks @PenelopeTheShroudWeaver

Blip · 21/05/2023 23:09

Agree that six or more pairs is a good number to have

MillicentTrilbyHiggins · 21/05/2023 23:19

I've got some M&S ones which are OK for my light days but no good for heavy ones.

Modibodi heavy/overnight in full brief style are brill. I really can wear them overnight. However, I also bought their "full brief" ones that are recycled? Eco? Vegan? Something anyway. Despite also being a full brief, heavy/overnight they leak. I don't know if the gusset is narrower, but they aren't as good. They feel tighter too despite being the same size.
I'm saving up for more of the good ones.

Kyse23 · 21/05/2023 23:22

Mapletreelane · 21/05/2023 22:54

Gamechanger for my DD13. She was leaking so much with pads. She uses Modibodi, we have about 7 pairs as they do take long to dry.

She has really heavy periods, on her heaviest days she wears the maxi flow ones all day at school, changes when she comes home and again when she goes to bed.

I can smell them a little bit when she leaves them on the bathroom floor, but not when they are on her.

Washing them is a bit grim, I rinse them first in cold water and there can be a.lots if blood,.I always ensure the water runs clear. Then I'll wash a few pairs together, at end or beginning of the day on a cool quick wash with non bio liquid, then put them in airing cupboard to dry.

It can be a pain if you're away on holiday washing and getting them dry, and having an airing cupboard really helps.

But in terms of confidence for her, especially at school, they are amazing. Not having to faff round in grotty toilets or worry about leaking.

I use the rinse cycle on the washing machine, works perfectly! Just switch it to cold, throw them in on rinse cycle then wash

Shinystar12 · 21/05/2023 23:33

I have heavy and mid ones from next. I tried the heavy ones on day 3 this time and they lasted all day and then another pair for nighttime. Then used the mid ones for day 5. I just rinse them under the tap and then wash at 40 and line dry. They are an absolute game changer!

sixthvestibule · 21/05/2023 23:55

I tumble dry mine without any problems.

Wednesdaysotherchild · 22/05/2023 00:17

Some of them have toxic forever chemicals (PFAS) so check that out before you buy…

Divorcedalongtime · 22/05/2023 01:08

My daughter uses modibodi and they are great. She only uses the “boyshorts” ones the grave flow or the nighttime ones because she bleeds a lot and this wines go higher up the back for when she sleeps.
we have used them since she got her period at 10 and now she is 12 and still think they are great.

Northernlurker · 22/05/2023 09:11

I use the m and scones with pads. They are very comfortable and it helps with worries re leaks

Nordicrain · 22/05/2023 09:15

They are great! I have a relatively heavy flow and its peak and have never leaked in them - I wear them a full day or night at a time. I buy the Always ones when they are on offer.

I haven't had the issue with the smell, but rinse them out after wear and wash them the same day I've worn them, or the next, so they dont' sit around.

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