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Period underwear has been around since 2013, only in recent years these products have shifted from marginal to mainstream.

In one case sold almost exclusively online, the growing popularity of period underwear has seen them hit the shelves of supermarkets and department stores, with new brands entering the market.

But how practice they work? And which brands are best? We asked 56 volunteers to trial ten period undies from Bonds, Eco Flow, Love Luna, Modibodi and Thinx to see how they stack upwardly.

We too sent them to our labs to examine article of clothing and tear, absorbency speed and more than.

On this page:

What is period underwear?
Which menses undies are all-time?
What we found
Lab observations
How to wash and care for your menstruation undies
How to purchase the best period underwear
Are catamenia underpants suitable for tweens and teens?

Period undies have several absorbent and leak-resistant layers in the gusset. Credit: modibodi.com

What is period underwear?

Catamenia underwear is designed to function similar normal underwear, but with the ability to blot menstrual flow, so you tin can article of clothing it instead of tampons and pads, or as backup in improver to your usual menstrual production.

Although the exact blueprint varies between products, period undies generally take a moisture-wicking top layer, over one or more absorbent layers in the gusset, and a leak-resistant terminal layer. Some brands also have an extra middle layer designed to neutralise odours.

All period underpants are washable and reusable, making them an eco-friendly alternative to disposable sanitary products.

Best menstruation underwear

56 volunteers trialled catamenia undies. Which came out on tiptop? And will price match performance?

Which menstruation undies are best?

We recruited 56 Pick staff and supporters to each trial two or three different brands of period undies.

Each volunteer trialled two pairs for each make – one for daytime (moderate absorbency or closest equivalent) and a unlike pair for overnight (heavy absorbency or closest equivalent). For more than information, see how nosotros examination.

All 10 of the period underwear products we trialled by and large performed well, and we've recommended those that achieved a Pick score of 70% or more.

The Selection score is made up of:

Triallist overall score (35%)
Performance (35%)
Comfort (20%)
Ease of use (x%).

The products are listed beneath from highest to lowest CHOICE score. For a full breakup of each product's performance, features and more see our menstruum undies review.

(Note: Some triallist comments take been edited for length and clarity.)

Modibodi Seamfree Full Brief.

Modibodi Seamfree Full Brief

CHOICE Recommended
Price: $33
Absorbency: Moderate-heavy
Option score: 80%
Performance: 82%
Overall condolement: 74%
Ease of use: 77%.

Worn past triallists in the daytime, these briefs had the highest no-leakage score – out of 34 triallists, merely ane reported a leak, and it was a small-scale i at that. These too rated highest for performance, ease of use and ease of washing, and equal second highest for absorbency.

Some participants liked the material and way of the undies, commenting: "this soft, stretchy-silky material feels really luxurious and comfy " and "wasn't beefy, felt like I was wearing regular underwear".

But they had the equal second lowest score for fit, with some commenting that they plant the sizing quite tight: "The sizing and cut of the pants weren't peculiarly comfortable. They were extremely tight on the first wearable, although they do stretch out."

At that place were also comments nearly them feeling a fiddling wet over time: "After wearing them for a few hours and going to the toilet, when pulling them dorsum on, the gusset feels wet and cold and uncomfortable."

But they did score second highest for odour control.

Bonds Bloody Comfy Period Full Brief.

Bonds Bloody Comfy Menstruum Full Cursory

CHOICE Recommended
Price: $29.99
CHOICE score: 76%
Absorbency: Heavy
Performance: 79%
Overall comfort: 73%
Ease of use: 75%.

These briefs (worn by triallists overnight) had the equal 2nd highest absorbency score: "I like how you don't have any mess, as everything is absorbed and doesn't leave the underwear," said i triallist. Another said: "These would probably be my first choice for night fourth dimension use on heavy days due to the excellent absorbency and comfort."

Simply the briefs scored equal second lowest for fit, with some commenting that the gusset and way of waistband left a lot to be desired: "I didn't like the high-waisted-ness or tight, thin elastic waistband – especially painful with bad cramps," and "I found the fit uncomfortable with a very high waist and the padding in the gusset felt uncomfortable and beefy similar a pad."

Some other added: "These have a lot of padding in the gusset that goes upwards the back towards the tag of the undies, but information technology doesn't become very high up at the front. Fifty-fifty with a moderate catamenia, when I woke up in the morning I came shut to leaking over the gusset at the front end."

These undies had the equal 2nd highest no-leakage score (91%). But of the three participants who did experience leakage, two said they leaked from the front.

Modibodi Seamfree Full Brief.

Modibodi Seamfree Full Cursory

Option Recommended
Price: $35
CHOICE score: 76%
Absorbency: Heavy-overnight
Performance: 80%
Overall comfort: 66%
Ease of utilise: 76%.

Triallists liked the security, absorbency and length of the gusset of these undies (worn overnight). "They provided a lot of protection, specially with the absorbent layer correct up to the [dorsum] waist band." said one. Some other commented: "Never experienced any leakage… these have my full trust during the night."

As a result, they got the highest score for absorbency and odour control, and equal second highest for no leakage.

Simply they scored lowest for fit and condolement, with many finding them tight and hard to put on: "They were then difficult to even become on… I felt like I was being swallowed by a snake! I only lasted two hours as I couldn't bear to call back of how bad I would have slept with these very tight undies on all dark."

Another triallist found an upside to the tight fit: "That night I remember lying in bed thinking, 'I'm so sewn into these undies in that location's no way anything could maybe escape'… And I was right. Afterward sleeping for eight and a half hours, there were no leaks. I accept worn and washed these undies since that fateful first time and am happy to report that they're much more comfortable at present."

Bonds Bloody Comfy Menses Full Brief.

Bonds Encarmine Comfy Period Total Brief

Option Recommended
Price: $24.99
Selection score: 75%
Absorbency: Moderate
Performance: 76%
Overall condolement: 76%
Ease of use: 74%.

Triallists wore Bonds' moderate period undies in the daytime and gave them the highest score for fit and 2nd highest for overall comfort. Comments included: "Amazing product and very comfortable to wear. I would exist happy to wear this instead of using pads from now on," and "I thought the thickness of the pad was perfect for daytime – the perfect amount of thickness to feel protected without feeling similar you lot're wearing something heavy duty."

Only others disliked the gusset ("information technology doesn't go up very far at the front", "it felt bulky like a pad") and some found the overall style uncomfortable: "I didn't similar the combination of a loftier waist and tight, thin rubberband waistband. I get bad cramps so whatsoever force per unit area on my abdomen is very uncomfortable."

The briefs also got the third highest no-leakage score, with 31 out of 35 triallists experiencing no problems.

Eco Catamenia Orgaknix Super Boyleg.

Eco Period Orgaknix Super Boyleg

CHOICE Recommended
Price: $39.90
CHOICE score: 75%
Absorbency: Super
Functioning: 77%
Overall condolement: 73%
Ease of use: 70%.

Triallists wore these briefs overnight and some were very happy with them: "I actually liked the fit and coverage of these underwear. I as well liked that the gusset was very long and extended all the mode up to the back to prevent leaking," said one. Some other commented: "Information technology was a firm fit so they did not motility effectually. The good-sized pad area/gusset goes correct up the back of the undies, then I can't see them leaking overnight."

As a effect, they scored 2d highest for no leakages, tertiary highest for absorbency and equal third for odour command.

On the downside, some commented that they felt tight, bulky or both: "These felt huge! Very nanna undies-ish, " said one participant.

"These were style too tight around my legs, despite being the correct size overall…The gusset going all the way up the dorsum might be necessary for night time, but it felt similar I was wearing a nappy," said another.

The briefs too scored lowest for drying-time satisfaction.

Dear Luna Period Bamboo Cursory.

Dear Luna Period Bamboo Brief

Option Recommended
Cost: $20
CHOICE score: 75%
Absorbency: Medium
Operation: 73%
Overall comfort: 77%
Ease of use: 75%.

Triallists wore Love Luna'southward Period Bamboo Briefs overnight and gave them top scores for condolement and fit (highest and equal highest, respectively). Many were pleased the undies didn't feel bulky, with comments including: "Actually comfy, and felt good confronting my peel. I loved the fabric, didn't feel besides stiff or bulky."

Others establish the absorbency disappointing, with i commenting: "Just ii hours in wearing this, the edges and the outside of the gusset felt clammy. The absorbency must exist really bad as in the morning when I woke up I could experience a layer of blood dried up on my pelvic floor sticking to the undies."

Thinx Super Cotton Brief.

Thinx Super Cotton Cursory

Selection Recommended
Cost: $US39 ($54.99, may change depending on commutation rate)
CHOICE score: 73%
Absorbency: Super
Performance: 72%
Overall comfort: 77%
Ease of apply: 73%.

Positive comments included "Not so bulky" and "no visible signs of crotch bulk". Other triallists were impressed by the overall comfort: "These were comfy, fit well and worked neat. I had no fears of staining my bedsheets when wearing these to bed."

As a effect, these briefs (which were worn overnight) scored equal highest for overall condolement, likewise as fit.

But they also got the second lowest drying-time satisfaction score – "It takes a long fourth dimension to dry out, so you can't wash past hand and rewear on the same period," said one triallist – and six out of 30 triallists experienced small to moderate leaks.

Eco Period Orgaknix Bikini.

Eco Period Orgaknix Bikini

Selection Recommended
Cost: $29.xc
Choice score: 71%
Absorbency: Moderate
Performance: 66%
Overall condolement: 75%
Ease of use: 74%.

Triallists wore these briefs during the day and were positive about the fit: "They felt really comfy and I honestly forgot I was wearing them. They didn't feel thick; merely like undies made from a thick material, rather than nappy-ish." The effect is that they scored equal highest for fit.

Only 31% of triallists experienced small to moderate leaks, with some pointing out that the beige material could pb to visible staining. "The fact that they were biscuit made me uncomfortable, as I could run into where some blood had leaked through to the other side of the underwear. They would exist a good color if you wanted to clothing white, run across-through or light-coloured clothing, only I didn't really like them."

Thinx Hiphugger.

Thinx Hiphugger

Price: $US34 ($47.94, may modify depending on exchange charge per unit)
CHOICE score: 69%
Absorbency: Moderate
Performance: 63%
Overall comfort: 75%
Ease of use: 75%

Triallists wore the Hiphuggers during the mean solar day and were positive virtually the fit: "these are a comfortable cut and didn't experience bulky", said i. Others liked the "cute" decorative lace waistband. "It felt like I was wearing something a footling actress special than just standard tiresome underwear," said another.

But not everyone was on lath: "the lace waistband kept rolling down instead of hugging me, then I had to keep tugging them upward throughout the mean solar day."

Some also experienced a sense of wetness – "Later on going to the toilet it was wet to pull the pants support again, which is not a nice feeling," said one – and 37% of triallists reported some sort of leak. They were more often than not minor leaks onto the underwear itself, but there were a few instances of leaks onto clothing.

Love Luna Period Midi Brief.

Beloved Luna Menses Midi Brief

Price: $15
CHOICE score: 67%
Absorbency: Calorie-free/medium
Performance: 62%
Overall comfort: 75%
Ease of employ: 76%.

Several participants commented that these undies (worn during the day) were "soft and comfortable" and "just similar wearing regular undies." Ane said: "I wore these to work and wasn't worried almost them being bulky or noticeable." They besides got the highest score for drying-time satisfaction.

But other triallists thought they had poor absorbency and aroma control (these briefs scored everyman for both), with comments including: "These didn't absorb as well every bit I would've liked. The period almost just sat on top of the underwear once it was 'full'," and "I did discover a fleck of an odour… but I don't think it would be so noticeable to other people." There were also a few reports of leaks onto wearable.

What we constitute

Would you lot clothing period underwear again?

At the stop of the trial, 75% of participants who wore the Eco Period Orgaknix Super Boyleg at dark fourth dimension said they'd wearable it as their sole menstrual protection – the highest score across all brands.

Bonds Bloody Comfy Period Full Briefs (both products) also scored well with 71%, and Thinx's Hiphugger scored lowest with 37%.

Leakage

Modibodi's moderate-heavy Seamfree Total Brief was the highlight of our trial – only one person experienced a leak and information technology was a small ane.

Merely nosotros found that the Eco Period, Honey Luna and Thinx briefs worn during the 24-hour interval are more likely to leak, with 31%, thirty% and 37% of triallists, respectively, experiencing 1.

Overall, across all brands, leakage was more probable with the moderate pants our traillists wore during the 24-hour interval – a total of 22% had some type of leakage, compared with 12% of the heavy 'nighttime' pants.

Only four big leaks were reported during this trial of 328 wears

According to the participants, the leakages were mainly pocket-sized, only onto the underwear itself, and leaked on the side, although a couple of those who slept on their tummies had leakage in the forepart of the night pants.

There were exceptions, but only iv big leaks were reported during this trial of 328 wears. Ane participant had an "ballsy fail" with the Bonds day product, commenting: "Past 5pm, they were likewise total and it was leaking from everywhere… Peradventure I needed a college absorbency that day, or to change them at lunch time."

Price

The period undies nosotros looked at ranged in price from $15 to $54.99. Every bit we oftentimes find in our tests and trials, price is no indication of performance.

That said, several of the more expensive undies did receive some of the highest scores. But of the undies our triallists wore at dark, Dear Luna's $20 briefs generally performed the same or better than Thinx'south $fifty briefs.

Colour choices

Many brands offer their period undies in a range of colours. We chose blackness underwear for our trial where possible, with the exception of 1 pair of Eco Period briefs, which were beige with a black gusset.

Some participants suggested the beige colour made the 'leakage' on the side of the pants more than obvious than if they were black.

Inconsistency betwixt brands

Nosotros constitute that the stated catamenia and claimed absorption for each menstruum undies tin vary betwixt brands. For example, Thinx moderate undies are claimed to absorb 27mL – which is 7mL more than Bonds' and Modibodi's heavy-menses products.

When choosing the correct undies for your catamenia, you may find it easier to compare claimed absorption – ofttimes presented equally tampons (about 5mLs), mLs or both – and attempt out a few different brands to observe the 1 that works for you.

Nosotros too found that not all brands have the absorbency labelled on the undies themselves. So if you ain multiple pairs with a range of absorbency, you may find it difficult to pick the right pair each day, as your flow changes during your bicycle.

Using this special dosing apparatus, each pair was assessed for its absorbency speed.

Lab observations

Too as our user trial, we sent 5 pairs of each production to a laboratory to appraise absorbency speed and wet feeling, and to look for signs of leakage. (The results weren't included in our user trial scores.)

Bonds (both products) scored highest for absorbency speed, followed by Eco Period (both products).

Modibodi'south Seamfree Total Cursory (heavy/overnight absorbency) and Bonds Bloody Comfy Period Full Brief (moderate absorbency) took the pinnacle 2 slots, respectively, in our wet-feeling score.All the products either had just lite or no leaks.

Laundry lab wear and tear

We likewise sent one pair of each catamenia undie to our laundry laboratory to discover out what effect washing and drying would have on their status over time.

"Overall, each pair largely held up well with no major failures and all in good functional condition," says Ashley Iredale, CHOICE's laundry and whitegoods proficient.

Several are now a rather pleasing shade of regal purple, as opposed to blackness
Ashley Iredale, Selection's laundry and whitegoods expert

Merely there was some wear and tear – many of the cotton fiber based products demonstrated slight piling by the finish of the test.

"There was also significant colour fade on most pairs, starting with the Bonds at around twenty runs simply worsening, and spreading to other brands equally the exam continued," says Ashley.

"Several are now a rather pleasing shade of royal purple, as opposed to black."

From a visual signal of view, both Modibodi briefs showed about no signs of wear and tear, which is probably due to their fabric composition (polyamide, elastane, smart merino and polyester).

How to wash and care for your catamenia undies

The exact washing and drying instructions for period undies vary betwixt brands, just in general most will suggest:

rinsing them afterwards utilise until the water runs clear
washing them on a cold cycle
line drying them only (no tumble drying).

Other instructions may include avoiding material softener, washing in a laundry purse and using a frail cycle.

This tin be a alter in routine for many who are used to putting their usual underwear in the wash, along with the residuum of the laundry.

Menstruum undies should exist washed on a cold cycle and left to line dry.

Triallist thoughts

Nosotros asked participants to comment on the care instructions. Overall, they seem unlikely to modify their laundry habits or do a dissever load just for the menstruation underwear.

Some constitute information technology annoying that they had to pre-rinse and that information technology could take a while for the water to run clear. Several also mentioned that period undies take longer to line dry than regular underwear.

Some plant it annoying to take to pre-rinse… and there were besides several mentions that they take longer to line dry out than regular underwear

But other participants said they didn't mind the care instructions, and ane participant fifty-fifty constitute a unique positive compared with their usual menstrual protection: "I didn't discover the rinsing and washing procedure especially onerous – certainly no more mess or piece of work than using a menstrual cup, and without the constant fear of dropping the menstrual loving cup and having to clean blood off the floor!"

How to purchase the all-time period underwear

Overall, for every pair of menstruum underwear we trialled, there were participants who disliked, liked or loved them. Then choosing the perfect period underwear for you may come down to a personal journey of trial and error of different brands and absorbency levels.

Just there are some general things y'all may want to keep in mind.

Standalone vs backup

Consider whether you desire to use the underpants alone as your menstrual protection; in conjunction with a tampon or menstrual loving cup; or on those days when yous're not certain exactly when your menstruum volition start. If you intend to utilize them in the latter two scenarios, you may only need a 'light' to 'moderate' menstruation pair.

Absorbency

Your period may exist calorie-free, moderate, heavy or varied – most brands offer a wide range of absorbencies to match. More often than not, the options start from light or very light ( well-nigh one-half to ane tampon's worth) all the way through to heavy or overnight (upwards to four tampons' worth).

But different brands measure out one tampon'due south worth differently, which makes it trickier to compare products. Most brands offering comparisons to other menstrual products, such every bit pads or menstrual cups, to help y'all get an idea of absorbency. If in doubt, y'all may desire to choose a heavier absorbency, or carry a tampon, pad or cup with you lot as backup.

Gusset length

You may want a longer gusset (i.e. running the total length from front to back) for added protection when wearing overnight or for heavier flow days. Simply this will likewise make the underpants experience a little bulkier.

In our trial, merely Love Luna's bamboo briefs had a gusset that ran from the front end to the back waistband. Bonds' heavy full brief, Eco Period's orgaknix super boyleg brief and Modibodi's heavy/overnight full cursory featured a gusset that ran up to the back waistband.

How many pairs will I need?

There's no gear up formula as to how many pairs you'll need because it depends on whether they're paired with other products, and how heavy your menstrual flow is.

Your tolerance for feeling a petty moisture as the underwear begins to accomplish chapters is also a factor. Only unless you accept a particularly heavy flow, yous can usually wear one pair all twenty-four hours, then use a fresh pair overnight.

If you're planning to wear them for the entirety of your cycle, accept into consideration that y'all demand to requite each pair fourth dimension to line dry out (though we plant they held up pretty well in the dryer), so you could demand up to half dozen pairs over three days and nights if you're using them alone.

Style preferences

Period underwear comes in a range of colours, material and styles (including M-cord) so you lot can choose according to comfort or to fit your outfit.

Are menses underpants suitable for tweens and teens?

For teens and 'tweens' (those aged betwixt most eight and 12 years) only just embarking on a lifetime of menstrual cycles, period underpants tin can offer a comfortable and confidence-edifice alternative to pads or tampons.

'Knowing your wheel' isn't like shooting fish in a barrel in the early on months and years, and unexpected bleeding or leakage can crusade anxiety. Judging by the lively conversations on this topic on social media, many mums are just as broken-hearted for their daughters.

Eco Period, Dear Luna, Modibodi and Thinx all offering a range of period underpants aimed at teens and tweens, in a variety of styles, colours and sizes.

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Source: https://www.choice.com.au/health-and-body/reproductive-health/womens-health/articles/menstrual-cups-and-period-underwear