A few years ago, my friends started talking about period-proof underwear, specifically one brand: Thinx.
I scoffed — underwear that could be used in place of tampons, pads, and menstrual cups? Yeah, right.
Clearly, I was skeptical about these “period panties,” even though I’d seen positive reviews online.
It wasn’t until a few of my friends tried them and came back to me with glowing reviews that I decided it was finally time to try them out myself. Plus, Thinx gives back to women around the world, working to empower girls and provide safe spaces for women to talk about their health.
After having such great success with a menstrual cup, I found that I was actually excited to try out the period-proof underwear.
But honestly, I had some major concerns. One, would they actually work? Two, what if they leaked? Three, was I just supposed to free bleed into these? Four, how do you clean them?
When I told people I was going to use Thinx, they were either excited for me or dumbfounded at the idea that I would just willingly bleed into my underwear.
What Is Thinx?
Thinx was founded in January 2014 by a few friends who wanted to break the taboo around periods and create a new product that could help women all around the world.
They started with just a few styles of underwear, but they’ve since branched out into more styles of panties, a few types of activewear, and some tampons and merchandise.
The underwear ranges between $24 and $39.
How Do The Period Panties Work?
Basically, they work by absorbing the blood and wicking it away from your body.
According to their website, “Thinx is made up of four bits of tech that makes ‘em anti-microbial, moisture-wicking, absorbent, and leak-resistant.”
In more basic terms, “The top layer fights bacteria and absorbs any liquid into the über thin layer right beneath it, so you always stay dry (and fly, obvi).”
They make sure to clarify: “And no, they don’t feel like diapers, and it’s not like sitting in your own blood. Boom.”
Let’s be honest, using menstrual pads totally feels like using a diaper. How different could this really be? I was about to find out.
The different styles of underwear can hold different amounts of blood, anywhere from half a tampon to two tampons’ worth.
This helps you adjust for different rates of “flow” at different points in your cycle.
Most of them come in two different colors (black and nude), but there are a few other choices as well, depending on the style.
I decided to get the Hiphugger style and the Sport style.
According to Thinx, the Hiphugger “is a fan fave AND champion in the absorbency olympics. The Hiphugger holds up to two regular tampons worth of blood, and can back up tampons and menstrual cups on your really heavy days.”
And the Sport style? “This style is made so you can keep your head in the game, and not in your pants! The Sport holds up to 1 1/2 regular tampons worth of blood, and can back up tampons and menstrual cups on your heavy days.”
In other words, you can use additional products in combination with these undies if it makes you feel more secure.
With all the information, it was finally time to put the period-proof underwear to the test.
