Is period underwear safe?
Whether you’re tired of using pads and tampons or you’re interested in something reusable for cost savings or environmental reasons, period underwear might be a comfortable, wearable solution for you. Erin Wisbey-Martin, MD, explained what you need to know about period underwear before you buy.
What is period underwear?
“The period underwear phenomenon is relatively new,” Dr. Wisbey-Martin said. “Period underwear is being marketed as this comfortable thing you can wear all day and you don’t have to bother with a pad or a tampon, when it’s actually kind of like a reusable pad.”
The underwear comes in a variety of styles, colors and absorbencies for light, medium and heavy flow. The absorbent padding is contained in the lining.
“Most of the underwear is fairly comfortable,” she said. “Some have a quite a thick pad and others are very thin.”
What should you keep in mind before using them?
“I think it’s important to look into them before purchasing, because they’re not cheap,” Dr. Wisbey-Martin said. “They cost anywhere from $15 to $40 or more per pair.”
Also, consider your flow and how absorbent the underwear needs to be. Most women have a heavy flow the first few days and then it tapers off.
“Some women wear them as backup with a tampon in case there’s a leak,” Dr. Wisbey-Martin said. “That’s a popular option, especially for women with a heavy flow.”
It may also be a good alternative for young girls who aren’t comfortable using tampons or new moms with postpartum bleeding.
Is period underwear safe to use?
“In considering the safety of period underwear, they’re not a ton different than a pad,” Dr. Wisbey-Martin said. “Just like you would change your pad, you want to change the period underwear.”
This means, when you take them off, you have to rinse out the menstrual blood before you throw them in the washer.
“Just like you wouldn’t leave a steak sitting out on the counter, you wouldn’t want to have blood in your underwear sitting there for a prolonged period of time,” Dr. Wisbey-Martin said. “Warm, moist things are havens for bacteria to grow, so you want to keep your personal hygiene products clean and fresh. That reduces bacterial content and odor, and it’s more comfortable.”
She recommended having several pairs of period underwear to get through a day, probably at least three pairs a day.
Bottom line: A nice option, but not an essential
Period underwear is a nice addition to the selection of products women can use for their periods. They may be better as a backup if you have a heavy flow, and they’re a less scary option for girls who are new to getting their periods.
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