15 best period pants for a zero-waste and sustainable period (and why I've turned my back on single-use sanitary products for good)
Period pants are hot topic right now, fast over-taking single-use menstrual supplies (think: tampons, pads and panty liners) in terms of their popularity. Once an eco-friendly period product that was wrongly shunned for being too expensive, a bit gross and perhaps not as effective as its counterparts, period panties look and feel just like normal lingerie but absorb blood and discharge incredibly effectively. And more than 10,000 (!) GLAMOUR readers have invested since this time last year as a result.
Of course, the fact that period pants are sustainable is a large draw. Single-use menstrual products are a huge contributor to plastic pollution: the average woman will use over 11,000 disposable, single-use menstrual products in her reproductive lifetime, and annually, 100 billion period products are manufactured and discarded worldwide - all of which will take over 1,000 years to decompose. Period pollution is real, and since it's our collective aim to cut back on waste in 2022 and beyond, investing in the best period underwear is a great place to start.
But it's not just their planet-loving benefits that make period pants so great. For the past year-and-a-half, period pants have been the only sanitary product I have used, because they actually make my period a whole lot easier to deal with. You don't have to worry about changing a tampon, they banish odour, they're moisture-wicking and they feel really damn comfortable. You can sleep in them, you can swim in them (yep: period bikinis are a thing) and you can work out in them (period-proof leggings are a thing, too). Sure, there are menstrual cups, reusable applicator tampons and reusable sanitary towels ... but period pants, in my mind, cannot be beaten.
What are period pants? Do period pants actually work?
Period pants are leak-proof knickers with a super-absorbent gusset, made from an odour-eliminating fabric. Period underwear can be washed and reused time and time again, meaning it lasts for years.
You can wear period underwear alone when you're on your period (whatever your flow depending on the style you choose), as back-up alongside a moon-cup or tampon on heavier days, or to protect against heavy discharge and bladder leaks throughout the month. What's more, if you invest in the very best period pants - as tested by GLAMOUR editors below - you'll genuinely feel like you're wearing your normal underwear while being protected all day long. So yes, they do work.
Period pants are also genuinely quite stylish these days, adorned in lace, cut with high-waisted (or hipster/boyshort) silhouettes and available in a whole plethora of colours. Today's period pants are so stylish, in fact, that you'd happily wear them even when you're not on our period (I have). You can get your hands on a range of styles, from thongs to high-waisted briefs and sleep shorts... even period-proof bikini bottoms. There's something to suit every occasion and outfit.
How long can you wear period pants for? Can you wear period pants all day?
This depends on your flow and the style you choose. For example, the Thinx Cotton Brief holds three tampons worth of blood, so you'd want to think about how long it takes you to get through three tampons and go from there. My period has never been particularly heavy; I'd usually get through three tampons in twelve hours. So, I'd usually wear my period pants from my shower in the morning to when I get changed to go to bed.
Are period pants unhygienic? Do period pants smell?
No. Period pants are super-absorbent and sweat-wicking to keep you fresh and dry. Plus, most period pants - including Thinx period pants - are made with a patented design that neutralises bad odours and bacteria. Even after a few hours' worth of wear, my period pants never smell or even feel damp to the touch. It's as though I haven't bled in them at all.
Are period pants good for incontinence?
Yes. If you suffer from incontinence, period pants are an effective and sustainable way to prevent leaks and keep you comfortable and dry.
How do you wash your period undies?
Once you've used your period pants, rinse them under cold water if you've had a particularly heavy day, then pop them in a dark wash at between 30℃ and 40℃. Refrain from using fabric softener when washing your period pants, as this can make them less absorbent over time. Once you're done, pop them on your airer to dry. Don't dry them in a tumble-dryer.
So, which period pants are best?
The best period pants for a heavy flow - and my favourite period pants overall - are Wuka's Ultimate Heavy Flow Midi Brief. They're the pair I always reach for on the first day of my period. In fairness, all of Wuka's period pants are great, because they sit really high on your waist and make you feel supported. Anything low-rise is a no-go for me. But this pair pip the rest to the post. They come in 11 different sizes, hold at least four tampons' worth of blood and have a comfy and high elasticated waistband. They have full coverage at the back without feeling bulky, are crafted from a carbon neutral fabric made in Austria which is super stretchy and they have breathable mesh panels to each side which make you feel that little bit sexier even when you're lethargic and in pain. I couldn't recommend them enough.
If my Wuka Ultimate Midi Briefs are in the wash, there are a few other pairs I enjoy wearing. I'm huge fan of Mobibodi's sensual high-waisted bikini - a period pants style that sells out time and time again for good reason. They have a lace trim to the top which looks flattering on everyone, are available in plain black or a mood-boosting palm print, and they hold an impressive three-four tampons' worth of blood. I also love wearing my Flux Undies classic bikini (again, really high-waisted, supportive and finished with a lace trim), my Thinx's sleep shorts at night, and my Wuka period-proof thong to keep me dry and clean at the tail-end of my period.
Granted, period underwear is a tad pricier than your average box of tampons, but when you work out the cost-per-wear, you're basically doing your bank account a favour by investing. Consider the planet and your purse saved. And if you need further convincing, check out what happened when we tried a pair for ourselves...
For more from Glamour UK Commerce Writer Sophie Cockett, follow her on Instagram @sophiecockettx.