WHY I STOPPED USING TAMPONS AND SWITCHED TO PERIOD PANTIES 🍓

GIRL CHAT

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GIRL CHAT ★

THIS ONE IS FOR THE GIRLIES (LITERALLY). 🤪

My entire life I struggled with a heavy period and bad cramps. I got my flow in 5th grade and felt boxed in when it came to choices for period care. I was a gymnast, dancer and cheerleader and often wore tight clothing when performing. And so it began - my use of tampons.

Fast forward to 25 years old, I was fed up with over a decade of cramping, spending hundreds of dollars on period products and of course - uncomfortable tampons. I wasn’t in love with the idea of other alternatives such as diva cups and wanted a simple solution. In 2021 I decided to give up tampons and make the switch to period panties and I wish I was being dramatic when I say: my life has changed for the better.

Since making the switch I have tried countless brands to figure out which ones are the most comfortable and provide the best bang for your buck! I plan to cover everything you need to know if you’re curious about incorporating period panties into your menstrual cycle care.

Questions answered in this blog post ⤵️

• My Thoughts on Tampons

• What Period Panties Feel Like and How Much They Hold

• How to Wash Period Panties

• What Brands I Love and Recommend

• Frequently Asked Questions

MY THOUGHTS ON TAMPONS 🥱

Call me crazy, but something doesn’t sit right with me when it comes to tampons. My biggest gripe when it comes to tampons is the lack of ingredient transparency (bleached cotton, hello??) in addition to minimal regulations surrounding chemical involvement. Upon researching further into tampons and regulations I feel most uncomfortable with the minimal research into the health effects of using tampons (especially when it’s unclear what’s actually in them). That being said, this post is not meant to fear monger as everyone is different and this is just something I personally struggle with.

A nugget of information I will leave you with - I have noticed a significant if not 100% reduction in my regular menstrual cramping since halting the use of tampons. This could be the placebo effect but after 15+ years of tampon use, I find it hard to deny that this may have been the causation all along.

WHAT PERIOD PANTIES FEEL LIKE AND HOW MUCH DO THEY HOLD 💭

This answer might vary depending on who you speak to and what brand they have tried. Later in this post I will detail out my favorite brands and why I like them, but speaking generally, I find period underwear to feel no different than regular underwear. They come in a plethora of fits, styles and rises. There is a misconception that they feel like a diaper and my experience has been quite the opposite. That being said if you are not used to a “full bottom” underwear this may be an adjustment (no fear, I have solutions for panty lines and YES thong period underwear does exist).

In terms of how much they hold, there is a panty for every flow! Brands offer different “holds” depending on how heavy your flow tends to be. I typically wear a medium/heavy flow panty at night and during the first couple of days of my flow. By the middle of my cycle, I wear a cheeky/less full coverage panty and by the end I am able to wear the lightest option available (think of it as the equivalent of wearing a liner).

DO YOU HAVE TO CHANGE THROUGHOUT THE DAY? 🧐

Absolutely not. Now again, this may vary depending on how heavy your flow is and your comfort level while wearing the panties. More often than not (if I’m wearing the appropriate panty for my flow that day) I am able to wear one pair for the majority of the day. That being said, I have built up quite the collection and if I happen to be at home and feel like my panty is on the full side, I will swap them out.

But to be clear- you are by no means going to have to carry around a spare pair of underwear and change them frequently throughout the day. They act very similarly to a pad - change them on your own time and when it feels necessary! This looks different for everyone.

HOW TO WASH PERIOD PANTIES 🫧

I will preface by saying this is a no judgement zone. Period panties to me are all about convenience. Everyone has a different level of comfort, but I simply throw my panties in with the rest of my load (yes, blood and all) because that is the way they are meant to be treated - like the rest of your clothes. You do not need to give your period panties any extra or special treatment (such as soaking/scrubbing/laying out to dry/doing separate loads). Simply wash them as you would any other panty. Crazy, I KNOW.

IMPORTANT NOTE: You will want to wash your period panties on COLD. This article by Knix (period panty company) breaks down everything you need to know when it comes to washing your period panties.

WHAT BRANDS I LOVE AND RECOMMEND 🛍️

I take comfort seriously so preface these reviews by saying I truly feel each one of these are a great option for anyone interested in trying out period panties. I do not dislike any of the panties listed below as these are all ones I have kept and use regularly during my monthly cycle.

I have listed my favorite brands and styles in order (#1 favorite first).

KNIX HIGH RISE LEAKPROOF ($28): These are my holy grail. They slurp me in and have ZERO PANTY LINES. I repeat ZERO. They are smoothing and make me feel so confident (even while on my period). If you try and buy one pair, make it these.

KNIX LEAKPROOF BIKINI ($24): Same thing as the ones above, just a little more cheeky (and not high rise).

THINX SLEEP SHORT ($50): Sticker shock, I know. But these are literally sleep shorts and period panties all in one. They are life changing. They are beyond comfortable. They are cute. I have nothing bad to say. These would be great for teens too! Available on Amazon!

THINX AIR HIPHUGGER ($35): Very lightweight and extremely comfortable. The material does not dig into my hips and leaves minimal panty lines. I wear these most days when my Knix High Rise are dirty. Mine have lasted two years. Available on Amazon!

THINX AIR BIKINI ($35): Similar to the above, but they are a lot more bootylicious. I like wearing this pair with jeans. They hold up very well in the wash and are great for the last day or two of your flow. Available on Amazon!

THE PERIOD COMPANY HIGH WAISTED PERIOD IN MICROFIBER ($9): I LOVE this pair for days where I feel like I need maximum coverage and want to feel super secure. They do have panty lines because they are a lot thicker but I would also consider these great for bedtime. Also, they’re $9. Come on.

THE PERIOD COMPANY BIKINI PERIOD IN MICROFIBER ($9): Same as above, not high waisted! Unbeatable price.

VS PINK PERIOD HIPSTER PANTY ($9.99): I really like these! Good value, comfortable but do leave a panty line. I would say these are a good starter pair if you’re scared to make the investment. But I would recommend the others (above) before this one.

*Some of the links above are affiliate links where I will make a tiny commission if you decide to purchase.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ⭐️

Do you dispose of them after each use?

• Heck no! You spent coin on these panties - put them to use!

Do I need to wear a tampon while wearing period panties?

• Nope! Period panties can hold UP TO TWO TAMPONS.

How long do they last?

• They last up to 2 years (girl math tells me that is 24 months and at around $20 a pair and multiple uses per period.. they’re basically free)!

How do they work?

• Just like regular underwear - slip them on and forget you’re even on your period. Trust me, it’s magical.

Is there any odor?

• Without being too graphic, periods smell. You know what I’m talking about. Am I saying you’re going to be walking around in public and people can smell you? Absolutely not. But will you possibly notice it while using the restroom? Maybe! Does I find it to smell more than a regular period where I use pads or tampons? Nope! But everyone is different.

Do you feel nasty when wearing them?

• The only time I have ever felt ready to take them off is when I’ve been wearing them for hours on end on a particularly heavy day. The same way you would be ready to take off a pad and switch it out for a fresh one if that makes sense.

Do they get stained?

• Nope! I have no clue how they don’t.. but they don’t. They wash clean every time (thank god).

Well, I think that’s enough period talk for now. 😅 I hope my experience has urged you to give period panties a try. And if you do, I would love to know your experience! Use the comments below to ask any additional questions I may not have covered. This is a judgement free (and cramp free) zone!

2024 is for the girls. 💖

XOXOX Reagan Baylee