Until recently, we didn’t have a lot to choose from when it came to managing our periods.
Basically, there were tampons, and there were pads.
Then there were cups.
I get that there are women out there who subscribe to the free bleed movement, but being that I work in a restaurant—in close proximity to people and food—free bleeding was an absolute hard no for me.
So as most of my girlfriends did, I muddled on by with my tampons and pads, until I ditched pads completely. I couldn’t handle the discomfort and bunching, and the paranoia that came with every single twist, turn, or bend I did throughout the day.
Had one of the wings just come loose? Was I about to have a Carrie White on Prom Night situation?
I couldn’t deal.
And then one of my girlfriends casually mentioned her Thinx period underwear one afternoon. I didn’t even know there was such a thing.
For me, period underwear was the granny panties I wore when I was too bloated and tired and gross-feeling to wear anything else (plus I didn’t want to ruin my other underwear).
But armed with this newfound info, I decided to check it out.
Now that I’m up to four pairs of Thinx, I think I’m reasonably well prepared to review them: the pros and cons, the technical stuff, and the girl stuff.
So here we go.
How Thinx Period Underwear Works
If you—like me—have been left in the dark about period underwear, prepare to be enlightened.
Thinx are washable, reusable underwear that absorb your period.
Imagine a reusable, washable pad sewn into the gusset of your underwear. It looks like normal underwear—with different cuts, styles, and colors—but you can use them on your own like a pad, or as a backup for your tampon or menstrual cup.
According to Thinx underwear reviews I read before taking the plunge (wow. Excuse that pun.) the benefits of Thinx are:
My Review of Thinx Underwear
Thinx Hip Hugger
The Thinx Hip Hugger comes in sizes XXS to 3XL, making it a great, inclusive brand for women of all shapes and sizes. I ordered my standard XL and it was definitely true to size. Given that the Hip Hugger has a little stretch, there’s a little room for error in your ordering, but I definitely don’t recommend sizing up or sizing down. In the XL size, I was able to stay active all day with zero leaks.
Thinx underwear might be marketed to us when we’re on our periods, but clearly the creators understand that we all still like our choices—and we still want to look cute (Ok. Maybe not on the first day). Black, Pine, Chroma, Dusk, Beige, Ocean, and Crimson are all attractive, premium looking color options in the Hip Hugger line.
Thinx High Waist
Not to overhype this, but the Thinx High Waist is my absolute go-to.
This was the second pair I ordered, after having such a good experience with the Thinx Hip Hugger. I practically live in the High Waist or Super High Waist now that I’ve discovered them.
Thanks to Thinx’s inclusive sizing these are also available in extra-small to three-XL, and they come in basic Black, bold Crimson, sweet Grapefruit, and Dusk. There’s also a gorgeous, bold leopard print called Cleo, for those days when you need to feel Fierce and Fabulous even on your period.
I prefer the High Waist over the Hip Hugger for security. I feel like no matter how much movement I do, these bad boys stay firmly in place. Because of the high rise, they also help me feel more confident when I’m dealing with bloating, and they’re more comfortable when I’m dealing with Satan’s cramps (and yes, that’s what I call them).
Thinx Air Bikini
Thinx Air Bikini is ultra-lightweight. That’s the first thing I noticed about this pair, along with the cute laser-cut design for supreme breathability even when you’re on the go.
The Air Bikini comes in the usual great range of sizes, but the colors are limited to Black and Ocean.
This pair makes a great, lightweight, breathable backup when you’re using other methods for period management. The Air Bikini helped me to feel confident that I’d catch any leaks in time, but this is not a pair I could confidently wear on their own.
Is Thinx The Best Period Underwear?
I’m forever recommending period underwear. They are effective, reliable, and offer us peace of mind and confidence at that time of the month—so how could I not be this effusive?
They aren’t perfect, though: be sure to follow the cleaning and drying instructions in order to keep them doing their job long-term. I wash mine on a cold cycle with laundry detergent—never use fabric softener or bleach—and then let them air dry for up to 24 hours. If you take care of them, they’ll take care of you.
