Are Period Pants Really Hygienic? The Pros and Cons
In a rush but got fear of missing out? Here's a quick summary:
- Period pants are reusable, washable underwear that absorb blood and prevent leaks, replacing disposable pads, tampons and menstrual cups.
- This clever underwear works by absorbing blood and preventing leaks in the central layers, with the top layer closest to the skin remaining fresh and dry.
- Our period underwear is designed to be worn for up to 12 hours or 5 tampons' worth of blood (the most absorbent yet!)
- They are worn externally so do not pose a risk of toxic shock syndrome
- Our period underwear does not contain any toxins or chemicals and are OEKO Tex certified making them safe for skin, but some brands do, so when looking at different brands, be sure to check for toxins/chemicals before buying!
Ok, disclaimer, we do really love our undies so we might be a *little* bit biased, but on a daily basis we get A LOT of questions about period pants and whether they are hygienic or not, so we are going to use this post to break down all the important information and really dive right in to exactly what period pants are, how they work and how they differ to conventional disposable products.
What exactly are period pants?
Period pants are underwear that includes a built-in gusset, usually made of 3 or 4 layers of different fabrics, that absorbs blood and prevents leaks. Depending on the style and absorbency, they can hold different amounts of blood and can be worn for different amounts of times, usually between 6-12 hours. They can either be worn as a back-up or as a full replacement for pads, tampons, and menstrual cups.
How do period pants work?
Each pair of FLUX Undies period pants have built-in three layer tech in the gusset of the underwear that works to absorb your menstrual flow and prevent leaks.
- The top layer wicks moisture away from the surface quickly, keeping you dry
- The middle layers absorb and lock in blood/liquid
- The bottom layer prevents leaks, keeping them leak-free
Read more on how period pants work.
Are they hygienic?
Period pants work in the same way that disposable pads and tampons work, in terms of absorption and preventing leaks, however, our underwear does not contain any of the harmful toxins and chemicals that are often found in conventional disposable period products. We use fabrics and fibres that are naturally anti-bacterial and all of our materials are OEKO-Tex certified meaning they are safe for the skin and hygienic.
Do period pants smell?
FLUX Undies period pants are made using natural fabrics with fibres that are designed to naturally prevent bacteria from building up, in turn controlling odour, meaning that you can wear them for up to 12 hours (depending on the style) feeling fresh and dry.
How long can you wear them for?
Depending on your flow and the style you purchase, you can wear our period pants for up to 12 hours, whilst remaining fresh and dry. The built-in tech works to absorb blood, lock it in, and prevent leaks keeping things hygienic, fresh, and dry.
You will know when it's time to change your underwear as they will not be able to absorb any more and the blood will begin to sit on the surface. This helps to ensure that everything is hygienic and you are not wearing the underwear longer than it should be worn.
Once you have finished wearing them, they can simply be rinsed and chucked in the washing machine, ready to be worn again, good as new.
Do period pants contain any toxins or chemicals?
Unlike conventional disposable pads and tampons, our period pants are made from natural fabrics and fibres and do not contain any dangerous chemicals or toxins. Toxic shock syndrome is associated with using tampons and this risk is also removed by using our period-proof underwear as they are worn externally and contain no toxins or chemicals. All of our leak-proof underwear is OEKO-Tex certified meaning that it is safe for use on the skin.
Other Frequently Asked Questions:
How much blood do period pants absorb? |
Our period pants can absorb up to 5 tampons' worth or 25ml depending on the style. Our absorbencies range from 1-5 tampons' worth and go from Lightest to Super Heavy flow. |
Can I get an infection from wearing period pants for too long? |
Unlike conventional disposable pads and tampons, our period pants are made from natural fabrics and fibres and do not contain any dangerous chemicals or toxins. Toxic shock syndrome is associated with using tampons and this risk is also removed by using our period-proof underwear as they are worn externally and contain no toxins or chemicals. All of our leak-proof underwear is OEKO-Tex certified meaning that it is safe for use on the skin. |
What are period pants made from? |
Our classic line of period pants are made using natural, eco-friendly Micro-Modal which derives from beech trees. Our essential line is made using BCI Cotton. Some of our styles, such as High-Waist and our seamless collection use soft silky Nylon on the outer for a smooth feel. All of our underwear is OEKO-Tex certified meaning the fabrics used is certified as safe for skin. We are a vegan and cruelty-free company and all of our products are and will always be, vegan and cruelty-free. |
Do I need to wear any other product with my period pants? |
Our period pants completely replace other products like pads, tampons and menstrual cups and they can be used on their own. As you know, our flows are all different, so when purchasing our products, look for the absorbency stated to find products that match your flow. |
How many years do period pants last? |
Our period underwear is designed to last at least three years or 80 washes. |
Can I wash my period pants with other regular clothes? |
Yes, of course! Just chuck them in the wash as you would do with your regular underwear. Just remember, no fabric softener and no tumble drying!
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Meet your new favourite underwear
So now you know all you need to know on how period pants work and whether they are hygienic. Why not start with a couple of pairs of our period pants and give them a go to see how they work for yourself? With styles from Sleep Shorts to Bikini, we've got the perfect pair for you and you'll be period'ing better in no time.
Do you wear period pants? What do you think of them? Let us know in the comments below!
- Tags: Advice Myths & Facts Periods