10 Best Period Underwear For Women

It’s no secret that periods suck. On top of dealing with PMS, constantly running to the bathroom, and costing a pretty penny each month, periods are also notorious for destroying your favorite pair of underwear.

It’s not fair! But with a perfect pair of period panties, you can (almost) live your life as if Aunt Flow isn’t “blessing” you with a visit.

Designed to replace the need for disposable tampons and pads, period panties are a cost-saving and environmentally friendly way to get through your period. With menstruation underwear, there’s no more worrying about replenishing your stash of tampons each month or being caught off guard without a pad on hand.

Not only can period panties save you money in the long run, but they’re also a comfortable and convenient option for women.

Depending on your flow, most period panties can be worn throughout your entire day.

For women who experience super heavy days, they can provide extra protection and peace of mind when paired with another menstrual product. At the end of the day, you can just toss them in with the rest of the wash, and voila, you’re set for tomorrow. 

So when that time of the month rolls around, period panties can give you the confidence to strut through the day, heavy flow or not.

Here are the best period underwear on the market today.

10 Best Period Underwear

1. Thinx Hip Hugger

Many options to find the best pair for you: Thinx is one of the OG period underwear companies and has a reputation that precedes itself. Not only do they offer a wide variety of styles, cuts, and absorbency levels to accommodate women of all shapes and period flows, but they also offer a 60-day trial with free returns. They also have a buy more save more policy that saves you money when purchasing multiple pairs.

The body of Thinx undies are made with a blend of nylon and elastane for a soft fit that moves with you. The gusset is constructed from 95% cotton and 5% elastane that has excellent absorbency but a bit of breathability. The main complaint when it comes to Thinx is that some find the fabric is quite thick.

Thinx also offers a wide range of styles and other period products for adults and tweens.

2. Dear Kate Nellie Hipster

Praised for soft comfort and absorbency: Dear Kate is another top contender in the period panty game, and for good reason. Their undies feature a triple layer gusset that comes in two options, a mini liner or a full liner, to absorb up to 1.5 (2 tsp) or two regular tampons’ (3 tsp) worth of flow, respectively.

The body of their underwear is constructed from a blend of micro polyester, nylon, and lycra that’s soft to the touch. Take your pick from hipsters, briefs, and thongs. At the end of the day, you can toss your Dear Kates in the washer and tumble dry on low.

3. Knix Leak Mixed Flow Period Kit

The most absorbent period panties: Whether searching for period panties or incontinence underwear, Knix has graced women everywhere with a highly absorbent pair of undies that can handle up to 8 tampon’s worth of fluid. Or for those with lighter periods, they also come in a medium-absorbency option that can hold two tampons’ worth.

Not only are Knix highly absorbent, but they’re also leak-proof. Designed with a three-layer system, Knix undies feature a moisture-wicking top layer, a super absorbent center, and a water-resistant outer layer to defend against leaks. As an added bonus, they come in all sizes so they're one of the best period panties for plus size women you'll find!

Some women have complained that Knix underwear has too short of a gusset that doesn’t have enough coverage to adequately protect against heavy flows.

4. Bambody Period Panty Hipster

Affordable and does the job: Bambody’s period hipsters come in a light to medium absorbency as well as a variety of colors and sizing that ranges from XXS - XXL. They are made from bamboo that naturally absorbs moisture and is exceptionally breathable. They also have a touch of spandex for stretchability and comfort. The gusset features three layers that extend from the front to the rear for greater coverage and protection.

Women have mentioned that these undies are true to size but have a strange fit in some areas. They feel tight in the waistband for some women but sit low in the crotch for others. Be sure to read other reviews to compare your body type to the size chart for the best tips when choosing a size.

5. Modibodi

Discreet period panties that feel like regular underwear: Designed with women and the environment in mind, Modibodi tackles sweat, period flow, heavy discharge, and little leaks up to 2 teaspoons, all while decreasing women’s carbon footprint. The underwear body is made from a unique blend of merino wool and spandex, and the gusset is stitched with merino wool, polyester, and polyamide.

Since these are designed to feel like normal underwear instead of traditional bulky period panties, some women have reported that the material feels thin and delicate. Be sure to follow proper washing instructions, which include rinsing, washing on cold, and hanging to dry to prolong the life of your Modibodis.

6. Period Aisle

Choose your absorbency with a customizable booster: Period Aisle gets that women experience different flows on different days. So they created a customizable pair of period panties that work on both light and heavy days. Their standard brief is made to hold two tampons’ worth of fluid alone, or up to four with the included bonus absorbency booster. These briefs are made from soft Tencel and organic cotton to comfortably cradle your backside.

The booster is essentially a reusable fabric pad that slips into the undies' gusset and has its pros and cons. Without the booster in, the gusset’s silicone strips that are meant to hold in place, can rub and feel uncomfortable against bare skin.

7. YOYI FASHION Easy Clean Period Briefs

Extra long lining that locks in moisture: The biggest selling point of these period briefs is the lining, which starts from the gusset and extends to the waistline. The water-resistant lining is so wide, it’ll prevent any stray drips from leaking out, which is particularly useful when tossing and turning at night.

These briefs are 84% nylon and 16% spandex, while the water-resistant lining is 82.2% viscose and 17.8% cotton. All in all, it’s not made with the most breathable combo, so you probably shouldn’t wear this for more than 8 hours in a day. However, these undies can be tossed in the washing machine for quick and easy maintenance, but should not go in the dryer. Hot temperatures can damage the leak-proof gusset lining.

8. Intimate Portal High-Cut Bikini Period Panties

Super soft and sleek fit: Intimate Portal’s high-cut bikinis are made from extra smooth modal and spandex that feels oh so good on your booty. The lining is made from absorbent cotton and water-resistant polyurethane laminate fabric (PUL). These fit close to your body to seal in moisture, and don’t create any VPL under clothes.

While the gusset features the highly water-resistant PUL, it can create a slight crinkling noise while wearing and walking about. These undies should be machine washed on cold and air-dried. Any heat can damage the undies.

9. Heseta Organic Cotton Period Protective Panties

Leak-proof, eco-friendly period panties: These period undies by Hesta are made with 95% certified organic cotton and 5% spandex to give it a bit of stretch that feels uber soft against sensitive skin. The inner lining extends beyond the standard crotch front, all the way to the waistline at the back for excellent coverage. You can nab these undies in a convenient, cost-saving three pack in either black or beige. It’s worth noting that the beige color also features a beige liner, which means stains may show.

10. 4period High Absorbency Period Panties

Great value period underwear: This convenient five-pack of 4period panties is a steal that won’t break the bank. Not only are they super affordable, but a quantity of five means that you’re covered almost your entire cycle. They’re made from organic cotton, which is superb for extremely sensitive skin, and are pretty easy to care for, just wash on cold and air dry. These only come in black, which is best to hide any period stains.

Period Panties Review Criteria

Absorbency

How absorbent a new pair of period panties are, is an essential shopping consideration. Whether you experience a heavy flow the whole week or just the first couple of days, feeling secure in your period panties is oh so important. Most menstruation undies should dictate how absorbent they are, and often do so using a comparison to tampons. Period underwear can often hold two to eight tampon’s worth of fluid.

The type of material, number of layers of fabric, and how far-reaching the liner extends in the body of the underwear will dictate how absorbent any air of menstrual underwear is. Cotton tends to be the most absorbent fabric but doesn’t wick away moisture well or dry quickly. Menstruation undies with a cotton liner and synthetic blend in the body tend to have the best absorbency without weighing you down.

For women with extra heavy flows, period panties are also a great secondary guard against leaks when used with tampons, pads, or menstrual cups. Look for underwear with a high quality absorbent layer.

Leak-proof

When shopping for period panties, how leak-proof the undies are is just as crucial as absorbency. There’s nothing worse than going about your day worrying about leakage, or god forbid, an actual leak itself. Period panties that are leak-proof are cut to perfectly form to your body, have a long and wide gusset, and again, are made of the right absorbent material.

A gusset that is cut to extend from the front, far into the rear will provide optimum coverage and work best to guard against leaks. Some underwear also feature multi-layered gussets to add more period protection against fluids.

Comfort

Finally, when choosing the best pair of period panties for you, comfort should be another top priority. Highly absorbent, leak-proof period panties are technically great and all, but if they feel like a bulky diaper, it’s a deal-breaker. Some period panties have special absorbent material designed to hold moisture, but they may make crinkle noises when moving or walking about. And who wants to draw attention to their backside when it’s that time of the month?

So when out shopping for period panties, be sure to check out the reviews to make sure they’re not bulky, loud, or saggy.

Period Underwear Guide

Have more questions about buying period underwear? Find your answer below!

What is Period Underwear?

Period underwear is designed to be similar to a menstrual pad to capture your flow, but all in one convenient garment.

They are not bulky at all and look like regular underwear. The extra fabric and absorbent padding are discreetly in the crotch area only and the rest is more or less like regular underwear.

They are made of super-washable and stain-free fabric, so you simply wash them and re-use them.

Now underwear with a built-in pad-like feature might have you picturing some kind of adult nappy. Yet, it is very discrete, and in fact, most of the underwear are very nice designs and you would easily mistake them for regular underwear.

They can be used to completely replace the need for menstrual products. So in that case, you would literally just wear the underwear - no tampons, pads, or menstrual cups needed.

Alternatively, some people use period underwear as a back up to complement other menstrual products. This way if there are any leaks, your period underwear catches them. This can be great overnight so you feel extra safe and comfortable to move around.

How Does Period Underwear Work?

As mentioned, the period undies work a bit like an in-built pad in some ways. The underwear has layers of absorbent material that can impressively hold up to two tampons worth of menstrual blood, depending on which underwear you choose.

So in the crotch area of the knickers, there is this extra padded bit. If you touch it, it feels slightly padded, like a thin foam-feeling layer. These layers are made with fabrics that will easily soak up and hold onto the liquid.

Covering the absorbent layer, and the rest of the underwear is a breathable but water-resistant material. This layer helps prevent stains and makes it easy to wash.

The layer closest to the body also wicks moisture away from you and towards the absorbent layers.

Additionally, the water-resistant outer layer is designed to stop leaks. So the blood can move through and into the absorbent layers, but not out the other side.

Many products also contain antimicrobial components to help reduce the chances of smell.

The Benefits of Period Underwear

Once you shift your mind from the old ‘norm’ of disposable menstruation products, you start to see that period underwear have a lot of benefits. It always takes a bit of time to get used to something new, but it is certainly worth it.

Period Underwear Saves Money

It is said that, on average, women menstruate for 40 years of their life. That is a long time to be buying tampons or pads. This can be tens of thousands of dollars in your lifetime!

Reusable period underwear, on the other hand, can be used and reused for up to 5 years with sensible care. You also don’t have to remember to put them on the shopping list (well, not very often) or get caught out with no products when you need them most.

In this regard, they are very convenient. You simply wear different knickers on your period days. No attaching pads or inserting tampons or cups.

Period Underwear is Better for the Environment

According to an article in the National Geographic, one woman will use 5 to 15 thousand tampons and pads in her lifetime. That is only for one person. What happens to all these used products? For the most part, they end up as landfill.

Billions of tampons and pads are purchased each year across the world. Unfortunately, this also means there are billions of products that get disposed of.

Plastic is also part of the problem. The convenient sticky wings that help the pad stay in place, and the wrappers on your tampon (or even sometimes the string too), all frequently contain soft plastics. All of that plastic - gone to landfill, as if we didn’t have enough of a plastic problem.

So, with reusable options for your period, you now get a choice to not add to the count of pads and tampons getting thrown away each year.

What Period Underwear Should I Choose?

The biggest thing is to get the right fit - not too tight as that will be uncomfortable and could cause leaks if it doesn’t cover you well, but not too big as that could create gaps for leaks to escape as well.

You can check out the product’s size guide. They are very similar to regular underwear so your normal size should be suitable.

Apart from the size, you also want to choose period briefs that suit you. This means a style that suits you and the right coverage for each stage of your period.

A fuller style period undie is going to give you more coverage and less chance of leaks. However, for the lighter days of your period, you might want a few pairs with a cheekier cut or that are made for a lighter flow.

It can be a good idea to have a decent-coverage pair for overnights too.

Keep in mind, if you are away from home all day, you probably want to have a pair that can get you through the day. Otherwise, you’ll have to pack an extra pair of underwear to take with you and that could be quite inconvenient.

Every woman is different and you will know your flow better than anyone else. Consider what kind of coverage you need the most of and start there.

How to Use Period Underwear

To use period underwear instead of other menstruation products is quite straightforward. You simply wear the period underwear and change them as needed. The used panties get rinsed or soaked with cold water and then gently washed and you put on a fresh pair.

You would choose the heavy flow period underwear for the heavier period days and so on. Some of the period underwear options could keep you protected all day. So you might change your underwear in the morning and then again in the afternoon, perhaps when you return home from work.

However, not everyone is ready to take the leap and only use period underwear. After years of relying on tampons and pads, even cups that are newer to the market, it can be hard to imagine simply wearing a pair of period panties for your entire flow.

So, as an alternative, some women will use both a menstrual cup and reusable period underwear to protect them from any spills. It can provide a sense of reassurance that even a very heavy flow would be taken care of by using the products in conjunction.

Also, as some experience spills when getting used to a menstrual cup, the underwear can make a perfect pairing. As both products are reusable, it is also a more environmentally friendly option.

That being said, the cups are still somewhat new and not all women are into them either. Some women may choose to keep using tampons, but add the period panties to save them from leaks, protect them overnight, or even to wear when they expect their period so they don’t end up with surprise stains.

How to Wash Period Underwear

You need to wash the underwear, ideally straight after wearing it.

Once you take them off, it’s best to soak them in cold water or give them a rinse until the water runs clear. You might even do the rinse in the shower after you have finished. Just remember to use cold water.

Once rinsed or soaked to wash away the majority of the blood collected, it is time for a wash. Period underwear can be machine-washed if on a cold gentle cycle and placed in a delicates bag to protect them. Make sure to only use a mild detergent and no fabric softeners that could interfere with the fabric.

Otherwise, they can be given a gentle, cold hand wash with mild detergent.

You then let them dry on the line or lay them flat.

Don’t wring them because you want to maintain their integrity for as long as possible.

Given they are super-absorbent, they can take a bit of time to completely dry - sometimes a day or so, depending on conditions. This is why it is good to have a few pairs to last the length of your period and accounting for washing and drying time too.

When You Shouldn’t Wear Period Underwear

Period underwear is suitable for pretty much all stages of the menstrual period, including heavy days.

However, they don’t provide full protection from incontinence as it is a different consistency to your period. The absorbent nature of the underwear may help a little, but generally, most aren’t designed for this function - unless indicated by the brand that they do.

There are some times that women have had leaks when wearing period underwear. It might not mean it is time to give up on them straight away though. It may be that the size, fit, or shape was not right, or the flow was too much for that particular style.

Do Leakproof Thongs Work?

Should I Wear Period Underwear On Light Days?

We say better safe than sorry! The great thing about period panties is they’re just as comfortable as regular panties (the ones in our list at least!).

How Many Period Underwear Do I Need?

We recommend having at least five pairs of period underwear in your closet.

How Often Should I Change My Period Underwear?

Most period underwear is designed to last 8-12 hours. But since everyone’s period can differ depending on your flow, you might need to change yours more often. To stay on the safe side, be sure to pack an extra pair or two if you’re going to be out and about for a long period of time.

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