Do period pants really work?

Yes! Period pants have many advantages. You can wear the best period pants all day without worrying about changing a tampon. You can also wear them to give you extra protection alongside a pad or menstrual cup on heavy flow days, to protect against incontinence, or for peace of mind postpartum.

When ordered from reputable brands like Modibodi, Bodyform, Thinx and Wuka, period pants don’t smell since their super-absorbent and sweat-wicking fabric works to avoid leaks, avoid any nappy-like scenarios and keep you fresh and dry. Most period pants are made with a patented design that neutralises bad odours and bacteria, and you can pick a style to suit you.

Switching to period pants saves money. “Whilst they require a bigger initial investment, the average woman will spend around £120 on disposable period pads in just two years, but with reusable period pants, the cost is no more than £75,” Ruby added.

Leak-proof pants are also a sustainable choice. “We’re in the midst of an environmental emergency when it comes to the impact of single-use plastic,” Ruby said. “In fact, around 91% of the 380 million metric tons of plastic that is produced globally every year isn’t recycled” Single-use menstrual products are a huge contributor to this plastic pollution, with one pack of sanitary pads containing the equivalent of five plastic bags, and the average woman using over 11,000 disposable products in her reproductive lifetime (which each take over 1,000 years to decompose). “The environmental saving of switching to a more sustainable period product like reusable pants or pads is vast. Each of us has the power to divert 9,600 plastic-filled sanitary waste.

What are the disadvantages of period pants?

Since you’re buying something reusable and washable, period pants require quite a high initial investment. They’re also still, at the time of writing, classified as a “clothing” product – rather than a menstrual one – which means they’re subject to 20% tax. Marks and Spencers’ Say Pants To The Tax campaign aims to change that – and some retailers like TESCO now cover the tax for you.

expensive upfront compared to disposable products, and they require regular washing and proper care to maintain their effectiveness. Additionally, some users may find them less convenient for heavy flow days or extended wear.

Do period pants last all day?

“This depends on how heavy your flow is,” Ruby said. “You can wear our pants for up to 12 hour,s but we always say, you know your flow best.” Take WUKA’s High-Waisted Stretch Seamless Heavy Flow pants, for example.

They are designed to hold three tampons’ worth of blood, so consider how long it takes you to get through three tampons and go from there. Personally? I have a medium flow and manage around eight hours in one pair of period pants before I start feeling uncomfortable.

The duration that period pants can be worn depends on the individual’s flow and the specific product’s absorbency level. On lighter flow days, the best period pants can last all day without needing to be changed. However, on heavier flow days, they may need to be changed more frequently to prevent leaks and maintain comfort. It’s important to choose period pants with the appropriate absorbency level for your needs to ensure optimal performance throughout the day.

How do you wash period pants?

“Caring for your period pants isn’t much different to looking after any other underwear,” Ruby said. First, rinse them in cold water, then “pop in the washing machine at 30 degrees with your usual laundry detergent and air dry. Try to avoid using fabric softener and tumble drying as, over time, this can impact the product’s absorbency.”