Period underwear – that is: the best period pants, thongs and knickers – have overtaken their single-use counterparts in the world of menstrual products. Stat. Period panties were once shunned for being smelly and prone to leakages – but oh how wrong we were. Reusable period pants are now the go-to period product for many millennial and Gen-Z women (including countless GLAMOUR staffers). Regular tampons and sanitary towels, be gone.
What are period pants? | What are the benefits of using period pants? | Can you wear period pants all day? | Do period pants smell? | Do you wash period pants? | How we tested the best period pants.
The best period pants 2023 at a glance:
- Best period pants overall: Ultimate Midi Brief, £24.99, WUKA
- Best for comfort: Bikini Moderate Flow, £25.95, Flux Undies
- Best for heavy flow days: WUKA Ultimate™ High Waist Super Heavy Flow, £25.99, WUKA
- Best for sleeping: Sensual High Waist Bikini, £24, Modibodi
- Best for swimming: WUKA Swim Bikini Brief, £21.99, WUKA
- Best period thong: Basics™ Thong Light Flow, £12, WUKA
What are period pants?
Period pants are period-proof knickers made from an odour-eliminating fabric. They have a super-absorbent gusset, are moisture-wicking, hygienic, comfortable and available in different absorbency options depending on how heavily you bleed.
Why should you consider period underwear?
Leak-proof pants are a sustainable choice. Single-use menstrual products are a huge contributor to plastic pollution, and the average woman will use over 11,000 of these disposable products in her reproductive lifetime (which each take over 1,000 years to decompose). Period pollution is real, but since the best period underwear is washable (and often made from organic cotton to boot), it allows you to be kinder to the planet.
Period panties are also comfortable and convenient. You can wear period-proof underwear alone all day, without worrying about changing a tampon, or to give you extra protection alongside a menstrual cup or tampon on heavy days or postpartum. And if you invest in the very best period pants, you’ll genuinely feel like you’re wearing your regular underwear. Today’s new-gen of leak-proof underwear is stylish and available in a plethora of colours, absorbency levels and different styles. Think: cheeky and full brief silhouettes, hipster boyshorts, period thongs, period bikinis and period sleep shorts.
Can period pants be worn all day? How often do you change your period pants?
How often you change your period undies depends on your flow and the style you choose. Take these Flux Undies period pants, for example. They hold three tampons worth of blood, so consider how long it takes you to get through three tampons and go from there. Most period underwear works for 10-12 hours before being changed, but you’ll know when your time’s up when they begin to feel a little heavy. Even after a few hours’ worth of wear, my period pants never smell or even feel damp to the touch. It’s as though I haven’t bled in them at all.
How do I stop my period pants from smelling?
Period pants don’t smell, since the super-absorbent and sweat-wicking fabric keeps you fresh and dry. Plus, most period pants – including Modibodi period pants – are made with a patented design that neutralises bad odours and bacteria. If you want
How do you wash period pants?
Once you’ve used your menstrual panties, rinse them under cold water if you’ve had a particularly heavy day, then pop them in a dark wash at between 30℃ and 40℃. Refrain from using fabric softener when washing your menstrual underwear, as this can make them less absorbent over time. Once you’re done, pop them on your airer to dry. Don’t dry them in a tumble-dryer.
How we tested the best period pants:
FAQs answered, you’re probably wondering how we tested these period pants. The answer: we trialled each pair of the period pants featured below over a number of months at various points in our cycle – from the beginning right through to the end. We worked out in them, worked in them, and lounged in them. We evaluated each pair based on comfort, absorbency, how well they washed, whether they keep that clean feeling, and how they felt under normal clothes. The result? Your complete edit to tried and tested period pants.
For more from Glamour UK Commerce Editor Sophie Cockett, follow her on Instagram @sophiecockettx. Elsewhere, find guides to period pants for teens, period swimwear and the best bras to accompany them.